I arrived home last night. The original plan had been to come today but several texts from Calmac made it clear that the weather could well affect the ferries today and tomorrow and they could be cancelled. As I had to be back this weekend and for appointments at crack of dawn on Monday and visitors arriving on Tuesday, I decided to make a run for it yesterday. I was obviously not alone and the ferry was full of vehicles. The ferry was actually the MV Isle of Lewis which is covering for the MV Loch Seaforth which is having her annual overhaul in Aberdeen.Today broke with a stiff breeze from the North (the worst direction for the Stornoway to Ullapool ferry) but cold and sunny. As the wind rose the sea swell got worse. The ferry left Stornoway after lunch but it came past my house and when that happens you just know it's going to be a choppy crossing in places. Shortly after these photos were taken I received a Calmac text saying that the ferry would not be coming back tonight. There could be considerable disruption because the supermarket was short of some things this morning and the freight ferry won't be running today or overnight either and they do not open on Sunday.
The picture on the right shows the position of the ferry in the last of the photo sequence below.
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| Sailing up the coast and towards the rainbow. |
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| Into the rainbow |
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| Turning across the direction of the swell |
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| Turning towards the South and East |
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| Next stop Ullapool (nearly two hours away) |
Glad you made it home safely. I guess the boats are often disrupted by the weather up there. I hope your visitors make it across in a day or two.
ReplyDeleteRegards Beverley
Thanks, Beverley. The disruptions seem to be worse this year than I've can remember and it's not just been for the weather. There have been technical issues too.
DeleteI bet it's good to be back home again for you. That ferry sure looks like it's going through choppy waters.
ReplyDeleteAmy, it's always good to be hack home however much one has enjoyed one's time away. The Minch can ve very rough when the tide and strong winds collide.
DeleteGood to see you back in gods country. I thought they'd sold the Isle of Lewis. The ship not the island.
ReplyDeleteAdrian they keep the old vessels now and put them on less demanding routes (well I think that's the theory). There are not many vessels in the fleet that can do the Stornoway to Ullapool run and the new vessels on order for the fleet are running very late.
DeleteThe only ferry routes I know well are those across the channel. Occasionally the swell was huge, and I must admit to having felt quite unwell. Travelling by boat is wonderful, but only when it's reasonably calm.
ReplyDeleteCro I'm fortunate in that I don't suffer from mal de mer although that's because I don't have to lie down. The only time I've been ill was on an overnight in a force 11 from Hull to Rotterdam. I won't be doing that again in a hurry.
DeleteSupermarkets being short of things sounds serious, but I imagine you islanders are used to weather-related disruptions and always make provisions for just such situations. Glad you made it hone safely, Graham!
ReplyDeleteMeike, we have had moment in the past when supplies started getting too low but they were usually when the Highlands were cut off by heavy snow and lorries couldn't get through. There was a ferry strike too on one occasion I seem to recall. It's amazing how quickly one forgets adversity.
DeleteIt's a juggling act when life is controlled by the ferry and that is controlled by the weather. Great series of photos.
ReplyDeleteLiving on an Island is very much a juggling act when travelling, Red.
DeleteLove the rainbow photos! And glad to know that you arrived home safely. Hope you had some supplies saved in the freezer :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Monica. I thought it was rather special too: a question of being in the right place at the right moment.
Delete'Tia always good to be back home again...safe and sound.
ReplyDeleteThe photos tell a story.
Take care, Graham. :)
It is indeed, Lee. Thank you.
Delete"Into the Rainbow" by G.B.Edwards is a very racy novel. It would even make an actress blush.
ReplyDeleteI hope the stormy seas subside very soon so that you can once again purchase "St Bruno" pipe tobacco, "The Daily Mail" and a packet of "Spangles" from the local supermarket.
How, YP, did you know that I was going to do a post on St Bruno etc? (I really do have one planned!). As for the book If I were to write one then I rather fancy your suggested title. It appeals to my positive side. In truth the only book I know (and have) by G B Edwards is "The Book of Ebenezer Le Page".
DeleteThat was by Gerald Basil Edwards and not your good self - Graham Balthazar Edwards.
DeleteGreat photos and post! I had no idea there was a "St. Bruno" pipe tobacco. I must find it, and try it, and send some to my friend Bruno in Italy. The "saint" part will make him laugh!
ReplyDeleteSt Bruno was very popular Mrs S. However pipe smoking seems to have virtually dies out and I've no idea if you can still buy St Bruno. I've no idea what cigarettes can be bought either because I only know a couple of smokers now. I've never seen one of them with a packet and I think all packets are blank now anyway.
DeleteThat crossing in your photos would not have been for the fainthearted! I'm awfully glad there wasn't a third Over the Rainbow in your series. Hope you have plentiful supplies and enjoy your visitors.
ReplyDeleteThanks Pauline. Looking across the Minch today you wouldn't believe what it was like a few days ago. I've seen rougher millponds that the Minch this morning.
DeleteI used to catch the ferry across the Irish Sea on a regular basis four times a year the winter and summer. I am what is known as a good sailor in that I have never ever had sea sickness regardless of size of the boats.
ReplyDeleteIn regards too St Bruno pipe tobacco I believe it is still available here is a link https://www.smoke-king.co.uk/st-bruno-ready-rubbed-pipe-tobacco-50g-packet
My preference these days is and has been Clan for many a year. I switched over when I last lived in the UK as I preferred the aromatic signature.
Thanks for that Heron. In the days when I smoked a pipe I went through a Clan phase (there was another aromatic tobacco too I seem to recall) but found it rather hot. My Dad smoked Condor and my Uncle smoked Cut Golden Bar and I seem to recall that I smoked Gold Block. It's all such a distant memory.
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