Position: Loch Torridon, 57º 32.852' N 005º 42.786' W
Weather: Mostly dry and sunny, with a fresh breeze.
Distance travelled: 45 nautical miles.

Friday 2nd September

We left Lewis with dreams of bowriding bottlenoses. Wind filled our sails, cruising us eastwards towards the mainland. Again the sun streamed down on us, so the waterproofs were idle in the cabins. However, the ride soon became a little bumpier, with the Silurian riding up the swell and crashing into the waves. Veronica and I were on watch, and the water breaking over the bow was blown straight into us – it was that fine spray which soaks you through. Oh why didn’t we wear our oilskins? This was to be the start of a day at fourty-five degrees.

As the wind picked up, the boat became ever less perpendicular. A change of course southwards to Skye did little other than shift the tilt from left to right. Not to be put off, us pioneers ploughed on. Martin the skipper abandoned deck, and spent a good hour in the kitchen busying about. With legs braced in position, he achieved the near impossible. Having to literally hold the pans on the hob, he rustled up a superb homemade leek soup.

Full of energy and eager eyed, we scanned the waters as we sailed east from Skye to the mainland. Indeed, several harbour porpoise families were happened upon as we travelled. But as we tried to photograph a group of four or five, they disappeared beneath the waves – they must have been worried we’d get their bad side. And it was a poor day for cetacean spotting all round, with no other species for a second day running. Maybe I should stop tempting fate by predicting sightings in the log. Oh well I’ll continue the trend anyway – I’m certain we’ll see Minke Whales, Killer Whales and Bottlenose Dolphins tomorrow.

Still half way to being horizontal, Sarah and I couldn’t resist a nap. But we were the last to bed yesterday, with me log writing, and Sarah making birthday cards for Iris and Veronica. Yes, today it is the twins’ birthday. After arriving in Loch Torridon, Martin soon whisked the twenty year olds away for a spot of fishing. This gave a window of opportunity for the other girls to make a cake. With tonight’s dinner on the way, the fisher(wo)men have just returned with a mackerel – they left the rest for the dolphins. Coupled with a loaf of bread, we should have enough to feed five thousand.

As the day draws to a close, a three course meal lies ahead, with the prawns from yesterday being the starter. The meal being followed by birthday celebrations, the log has been written slightly earlier than usual – I hope you understand. Until tomorrow…

Log by Chris