From Lossiemouth, saturday 12th August

Start passage back over the North Sea.

Thursday was spent doing boat maintenance, washing and cleaning and generally getting ready. Margaret planning her next few days before flying out of LHR on the 18th and trying to get eveything back into her large trollybag, funny how things grow, isnt it? Friday we bussed into Inverness and did some necessary shopping, shared a farewell lunch (in McDonalds of all places!), and then went our separate ways. Margaret wanted to make the most of her time in the UK and planned time in both Edinburgh and York on her way south. Finding accomodation in Edinburgh took time and patience, as we hadn’t realised it was Festival time! Success in the end. I returned to Lossiemouth by train to Elgin (much quicker) and bus from there. Filled fluids and checked everything on the boat again. Then cooked and made passage food. Sausages. Eggs, HB. Sandwiches. Fruit and cheese. Sardine tins at the ready. Camping dried dinners waiting in their bags. (Haven’t tried them yet, so that will be interesting). Chocolate. Nuts. Raisins. Biscuits, (shortbread of course). Anything nourishing in fact. I will not want!

Wind is in the north west, 10 to 15 knots, over a rolypoly sea, and course is set somewhat north of direct, in order to fill the sails and sail. Seas are confused due to a south-going current and hitting the keys on this iPad is not very consistent. Forgive the spllng. Clouds are beginning to break up and the patches of blue sky are encouraging. Forecast is for the wind to gradually back more to the west, but unfortunately less of it, but we ought to be able to sail at least until tomorrow. With a High to the south later, winds will lessen further, so the engine will have to help. (Enough fuel onboard to motor all the way actually). GPS says 290 nm to Egersund. As long as speed is five knots or more we should be in on monday evening. 

Alls well.