Sunday 7 August 2011

Skye and the slipway at Harlosh

I awoke at sunrise and savoured a beautiful pastel coloured Cuillin mountain vista for breakfast from my lay by campsite. The wind was still coming from the north which puzzled me a little as that was not forecast. In the shelter of the hills, the midges savoured a tender white lowlander for breakfast in my lay by campsite. I didn’t hang around for my own breakfast and made a fast exit to the coast.



The sea was calm as I looked over Loch Bracadale, sheltered from the breeze of the offshore north wind. Things were looking good for a trip along the coast.



The water was flat calm, with only the sea swell disturbing the reflections on Loch Caroy as I made my way to the little public slipway at Harlosh.



I reversed the boat onto the top of the slip then lowered the trailer by rope. I’m always wary about putting the car on the slip slopes as its clutch could be a bit dodgy.. well it is almost 10 years old and around 150K on the clock. It never grumbles so I don’t want to push things.



The early morning sun tried to illuminate the cliffs that I walked to get to MacLeods Maidens by foot, but was soon beaten back by the fast forming clouds.



Half an hour later, the boar was rigged and in the water. The tide was full in and just on the turn. I was ready for my journey.....

2 comments:

Greenman said...

Hi there, great morning for you. It's been torrential rain here in W Dumbartonshire all night/morning. I really hope you have a great day and I'm not jealous at all! lol.

Been reading your blog for a wee while and it really is a discovery for me; entertaining/adventurous and giving me ideas of areas I've not explored. Would love to hear about your boat set ups...I'm thinking about getting an inflatable for adventures too...

G

Donny Wilcox said...

Hi Greenman

Thanks for your kind words and welcome to my blog. I had a quick look at your blog and we seem to have a lot in common, we both like to travel alone on our journeys to become part of the surroundings.

Its a good idea to give some more info on my boats and I will do that after my Loch Bracadale adventure . I didn’t venture far this wet weekend, so will need something to post about new week.

A boat certainly adds a new element and dimension to my journeys and in the last two years I have discovered a whole lot more about myself and the world around me.

I guess the main thing I learned very quickly was ...

On land, I am the master and in full control of my journey, regardless the conditions.

At sea, the elements are the master and I must respect that and not over step my position... but by doing so.. I am rewarded with sights seldom seen on land



Green Mountain

You ask me why I dwell in the Green Mountain;

I smile and make no reply for my heart is free of care.

As the peach-blossom flows down stream and is gone into the unknown.

I have a world apart that is not among men

Li Po