Summer Cruise 2011 - Part I

It was an amazing 21 days at sea. We went north and around Skye and then right over to the Outer Hebrides: Loch Shell is 14 miles south of Stornoway, Lewis.  After bopping down the Western Isles we crossed back towards Canna and home. Chardonnay sailed like a dream, the weather kept her super powers at bay, and there are many adventures to share.

Part I

Where we went (for those who follow):  Loch na Droma Buidhe, Arisaig, Isle Oronsay (Skye), Plockton, Portree (Skye), Badachro in Loch Gairloch, Loch Shell (Lewis), East Loch Tarbert (Harris), Isle of Scalpay, Loch Eport (North Uist), The Wizard Pool in Loch Skiport (South Uist), Loch Boisdale (South Uist), Isle of Canna, Loch Moidart (back on the mainland), Isle of Eigg, Loch Aline and then back to the marina at Dunstaffnage.

Here are my favourite photos:

Loch na Drom Buidhe (aka Loch Drumbuie) is one of our favourite anchorages.  The Royal Highland Yacht Club met here for a BBQ and then some carried on for the Cruise in Company.

This sign on the way to Arisaig always makes me laugh:

Chardonnay on a mooring at the Duisdale Hotel, Isle Oronsay with the hills of the mainland in the background:

Plockton is very picturesque. It's seriously far north, but the North Atlantic Drift keeps the climate temperate (note the palm trees!) :

Some people go to a great deal of trouble with their gardens on the cliffside ... 

Potted flowers in the hedge ... unique!

Ross and I had fun on Canada Day:

The anchorage in Loch Shell was beautiful.  14 yachts made it. We had a meal ashore and lovely entertainment:

Doesn't Chardonnay look beautiful all dressed up?

We always get water wherever we can.  It was quite the surprise to see this hose running from a burn over the rocks at the top of Loch Moidart:

We met up with Keith and Mary on Altaria. They are leaving Loch Moidart; the Scour of Eigg and then Rhum are in the background:

The cattle are enjoying the warmth still in the sand and looking at Highland Spirit, a super yacht:

On this calm evening at our anchorage on Eigg we could easily see Ardnamurchan Point (the most western point of mainland Britain) 9 miles away:

This lovely Tall Ship, Pelican of London,  passed by on its way to Lerwick, Shetland:

Our last night on board. Cocktails in the cockpit in Loch Aline (my favourite part of sailing):

Altaria enjoys a boisterous sail home: