I’m not sure that I was totally prepared for everything that was encountered during the two week trip from Reading to the Isle of Skye.
My last visit, by road , was in 1977.
A road trip of this magnitude is not to be taken lightly , especially, towing the 2 club RHIBS.
The boats set off from the clubhouse early on Friday, 26th July , travelling in convoy. First hurdle was the navigational error that took us onto the M6 Toll road (unintended).
Up to Abington, just south of Glasgow for the night and an excellent pub meal.
Up bright and early to continue our trip north west towards Skye. .
Some of the group were housed at the dive centre and some in a couple of houses up the hill.
The weather was less than kind to us during the two week stay , so several days diving were lost 😭.
There are so many lovely sites to dive, despite the weather the visibility was always good , except perhaps the first dive on Loch Bay pinnacle.
Some of the boat trips were a bit choppy but despite the challenges, we had a great time. It was good to see that Crayfish are re populating the area.
There was a scary moment when Colin looked out of the window one morning and discovered no Cormorant on its mooring. It was sitting on the beach. Luckily the tide was rising, so it was re-floated without too much damage. (a bit of gel coating is required). Despite double roped to the mooring buoys the ropes were shredded. After that, we recovered the boats to dry land each day.
Plenty of food for the divers, either home cooked or from the Stein Inn each night made for happy divers.
The added bonus was on the days we didn’t dive , our house had a TV , so there was Olympics to watch. Also the added bonus of a washing machine and dryer.
A few hardy souls tried hill walking in the wind and rain , others went to various distilleries , or some Highland Games.
Highland Walking
Some of us just did a reset to default cooking – sausage rolls, pineapple upside down cake and cherry cake.
Charlie, Bernard and Colin did a splendid job with the long hours towing up there and back.
Boats back to Palmer Park safely, washed and put to bed.
Booking has been made for 2025.
Watch this space ……..
Written by Sue
Huge scallops!
Wet divers
