Update Rosie

1 June 2021

Update Rosie 30-5-2021

I bought a t-shirt once which said, “two thirds of the earth’s surface is water, there’s a God”. Today is one of those days which makes you think this may be true.

Woke this morning in loch Dunvegan to a clear blue sky and the sun already warming the deck. Wind was blowing steadily from the south. Views of Dunvegan’s castle to the east and MacLeod’s table to the west.

Went ashore after breakfast and walked through woods carpeted with blue bells and wild garlic, climbed the hill to look down on OOSTERSCHELDE at anchor just outside the harbour and visited Dunvegan castle’s lovely gardens.

Re-joined the ship to help raise the anchor and set sails. Sail northward across the little Minch headed for Tarbert on Harris. Lunch was interrupted by a pot of dolphins (too many to count…) who played in the bow wave for several minutes, and a whale was also spotted on the starboard side, too far away to identify.

All afternoon we have sailed with upper and lower topsail, forecourse, main and gaff topsail making four knots. Guest crew instructed by permanent crew when to hoist and shorten sails, taking time to watch Skye recede into the distance and Harris emerge out of the mist.