It’s been a rather hectic start this year with all sorts going on with final boat preparations and a delay in getting out of Whitehaven followed by a three week cruise that we led from Caernarfon to Islay – and meanwhile a new forum software introduction for the OCC – of which I am the Administrator (needless to say – it didn’t go quite as smoothly as one would have hoped). Anyway, we’re now back into cruise mode and a bit more relaxed…
Visas: So it’s been a bit of a mystery recently working out if Laurie can stay over this side of the pond should her Portuguese citizenship application take as long as we expect it to. The answer appears to be yes and no… Because I’m a Brit (and still an EU citizen), she can accompany me around Europe – super! BUT… she can’t stay more than 6 months in the UK, unless she gains residency – which we can get by living in another EU country for 3 months and then apply to the UK while living in that country… Once she arrives in the UK she can then begin the process of residency… All rather bizarre that she has better access to Europe than she does to the UK, based on my UK passport…
We had thought we might stay in the UK this summer – in Scotland – but this ruling means we’re close to the end of the 6 months she has so we’re still planning to head up to Norway after the Outer Hebrides. Weather permitting, we’ll leave Stornoway Mid/late June and head straight up to the Lofotens. Remarkably, I think we’ve actually held this plan since about February – must be a record!
The OCC Celtic Cruise was a success – we only had 9 boats in the end, some of which struggled with the distances, but overcame the challenges and everyone made it to Islay for the Malts and Music week. We had some cracking sails during the cruise and were blessed with some really nice weather – though a few degrees warmer would have been welcome!
Parade of Sail in front of Caernarfon Castle – Home to the Royal Welsh Yacht Club
Ocean Hobo with Contessina alongside with Paps of Jura in the background.
Bluenote II trying to keep up with Toodle-oo!
Pipers playing us in to the Lagavulin open day – much free Scotch on offer!!!
The Singing sands of Port Ellen, Islay – ‘cept they weren’t!
We left Islay at the end of the Celtic Cruise and sailed back up the Sound of Jura instead of heading directly to the Hebrides because of wind forecasts (not as fast this time – but we did manage to sail much of it). We stopped in the lovely little anchorage we were in on the cruise – Puilladobhrain – and then headed up to Tobermory the following day – motoring the whole way.
We’re now in Canna having sailed in really wet weather and arrived to see what might be a lovely island – if we could see it! This morning the cloud has lifted a little so we’re getting glimpses and will head ashore and go in search of a walk of some description. Canna is the furthest west of the Small Islands and therefore we hope a great jumping off point for Vatersay tomorrow – though it might be a bit of a boisterous ride…
Lying to anchor in Canna Harbour with free wifi from the ferry dock!