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- Jun 26, 2002
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Well sadly its all over for now but what a fantastic trip. I took up Bhuds offer of a weekends sailing in exchage for donations to his Callum Road fund and I don't think I have ever had such fantastic value for money and a great time.
I was planning to arrive in Gairloch on Friday after lunch but due to a last minute trip to the Doctors and traffic queues for the Rockness festival we didn't arrive until around 4pm. I haven't been over to Gairloch in the car before and was able to enjoy the route from a scenic perspective rather than from a "blast" perspective when on my bike. The road down there is superb.
We met bhud and his wife Kathryn and set out to "HannahTinga" a most marvelous 42' Beneteau yacht which was moored up in Badachro harbour just a few miles round from Gairloch. We were made to feel most welcome and at home and that is one of the things that struck both my son and myself just how hospitable they were all weekend even when attempting to empty their very large alchohol locker. The boat is huge inside and after a welcome drink it was an induction and a explanation of all the safety equipment and what should be done in athe event of an incident. Bhud hadn't really made it clear in his advert just how palatial his boat is and all the facilities onboard. Our cabin was en-suite and the births far bigger than I had expected. Bhud had also not told everything in his advert and it wasn't until the evening meal that it came out he was a fully trained Head Chef
The food that we were served from morning until night was absolutely superb and as good as any I have ever tasted.
After a good evening session we retired to bed ready for an early rise and set sail towards the Isle of Skye. The plan was to sail over to the Isle of Rona which is just North of Rassay and moor up for a walk on the island. The weather was a tad chilly with fleeting bouts of rain but nothing to dampen the pleasure. Bhud gave my son MJ instruction on how to set a course and sail the yacht and left him at the helm which made his day
We moored up in a very picturesque cove off Rona and had lunch. Whilst lunch was being prepared Bhud sorted my MJ out with a fishing road with explicit instructions to catch some Mackeral. The mackeral were to be used as bait in a lobster pot which was onboard however the Mackeral were not playing ball that afternoon. As a result of a sudden downpour we decided to postpone the walk on Rona until the next moorning and Bhud declared the bar open. Numerous drinks in the cockpit were followed by yet another superb meal and a good old fashioned drinks session. I aquired quite a taste for a Rum which Bhud had found and although not a Rum drinker of note it was absolutely top stuff. It was Mount Gay Rum and I will be certainly investing in some myself.
At 0130 hrs we ajourned to our quarters ready for another days sailing the following day. I woke at 0800hrs to the sound of Bhud washing down the boat. The sky was blue and the water clear as a glass of gin - life is hard at times
A fantastic breakfast of Strawberries, Melon, Greek Yoghurt and Honey (from Bhuds fathers Bee Hives) was followed by a trip onto Rona. Rona is a small Isle with a handful of people living on it. It has its own postal stamps and post box so a card was a must for my father.
After a quick walk we took the tender back out to the Yacht and set sail round through the Rona Sound which is between Rona and Rassay and circumnavigated the Isle. We saw the only Porpoise of the trip just leaving our cove and lots of Herons which seem to thrive over there. Bhud took us round to the East side of Rona when there is a cave which was used as a church and had we have had more time we could have had a walk round t it for a look see. The sea beconded though and once again MJ took the helm. I finally grapsed how yachts sail "into" the wind which was another tick in a box for me. We sailed across from Rona towards the Toridon Coastline and up along the coast back to Gairloch. I hadn't realised how strong the sun was and ended the day looking much like the lobster that manage to avoid being caught in the pot. Back and Badachro we had another wonderful meal and it was time to pack for the journey home.
I can honestly say that even though I was really looking forward to this trip it far exceeded my expectations and both MJ and myself ahd a really superb weekends sailing.
Many thanks to Kathryn and Bhud for the most amazing hospitality and warmth. I can't recommend this offer highly enough and urge anyone who can to take up Bhuds offer to get in touch with him. I only thought it fair to warn Bhud of Thunders thirst for Vodka and Coke prior to him embarking in 2 weeks time.
AndyT
Pic 1 Badachro Sat morning
Pic 2 MJ at the helm
pic 3 Sun Morning on Rona
Pic 4 Breakfast on board
Pic 5 Bhud our host
I was planning to arrive in Gairloch on Friday after lunch but due to a last minute trip to the Doctors and traffic queues for the Rockness festival we didn't arrive until around 4pm. I haven't been over to Gairloch in the car before and was able to enjoy the route from a scenic perspective rather than from a "blast" perspective when on my bike. The road down there is superb.
We met bhud and his wife Kathryn and set out to "HannahTinga" a most marvelous 42' Beneteau yacht which was moored up in Badachro harbour just a few miles round from Gairloch. We were made to feel most welcome and at home and that is one of the things that struck both my son and myself just how hospitable they were all weekend even when attempting to empty their very large alchohol locker. The boat is huge inside and after a welcome drink it was an induction and a explanation of all the safety equipment and what should be done in athe event of an incident. Bhud hadn't really made it clear in his advert just how palatial his boat is and all the facilities onboard. Our cabin was en-suite and the births far bigger than I had expected. Bhud had also not told everything in his advert and it wasn't until the evening meal that it came out he was a fully trained Head Chef
The food that we were served from morning until night was absolutely superb and as good as any I have ever tasted.After a good evening session we retired to bed ready for an early rise and set sail towards the Isle of Skye. The plan was to sail over to the Isle of Rona which is just North of Rassay and moor up for a walk on the island. The weather was a tad chilly with fleeting bouts of rain but nothing to dampen the pleasure. Bhud gave my son MJ instruction on how to set a course and sail the yacht and left him at the helm which made his day
We moored up in a very picturesque cove off Rona and had lunch. Whilst lunch was being prepared Bhud sorted my MJ out with a fishing road with explicit instructions to catch some Mackeral. The mackeral were to be used as bait in a lobster pot which was onboard however the Mackeral were not playing ball that afternoon. As a result of a sudden downpour we decided to postpone the walk on Rona until the next moorning and Bhud declared the bar open. Numerous drinks in the cockpit were followed by yet another superb meal and a good old fashioned drinks session. I aquired quite a taste for a Rum which Bhud had found and although not a Rum drinker of note it was absolutely top stuff. It was Mount Gay Rum and I will be certainly investing in some myself. At 0130 hrs we ajourned to our quarters ready for another days sailing the following day. I woke at 0800hrs to the sound of Bhud washing down the boat. The sky was blue and the water clear as a glass of gin - life is hard at times
A fantastic breakfast of Strawberries, Melon, Greek Yoghurt and Honey (from Bhuds fathers Bee Hives) was followed by a trip onto Rona. Rona is a small Isle with a handful of people living on it. It has its own postal stamps and post box so a card was a must for my father. After a quick walk we took the tender back out to the Yacht and set sail round through the Rona Sound which is between Rona and Rassay and circumnavigated the Isle. We saw the only Porpoise of the trip just leaving our cove and lots of Herons which seem to thrive over there. Bhud took us round to the East side of Rona when there is a cave which was used as a church and had we have had more time we could have had a walk round t it for a look see. The sea beconded though and once again MJ took the helm. I finally grapsed how yachts sail "into" the wind which was another tick in a box for me. We sailed across from Rona towards the Toridon Coastline and up along the coast back to Gairloch. I hadn't realised how strong the sun was and ended the day looking much like the lobster that manage to avoid being caught in the pot. Back and Badachro we had another wonderful meal and it was time to pack for the journey home.
I can honestly say that even though I was really looking forward to this trip it far exceeded my expectations and both MJ and myself ahd a really superb weekends sailing.
Many thanks to Kathryn and Bhud for the most amazing hospitality and warmth. I can't recommend this offer highly enough and urge anyone who can to take up Bhuds offer to get in touch with him. I only thought it fair to warn Bhud of Thunders thirst for Vodka and Coke prior to him embarking in 2 weeks time.
AndyT
Pic 1 Badachro Sat morning
Pic 2 MJ at the helm
pic 3 Sun Morning on Rona
Pic 4 Breakfast on board
Pic 5 Bhud our host
I wish boats didn't make me sicker than a bottle of Jager looks a fantastic couple of days.
.
However I got a call from the head teacher during my run on Friday that she had been told by the local authority that anybody with under a years service was to be paid off. 
She seemingly had quite a barney with the folk on the phone, but to no avail. Typical that they do this on the very last day and its too late to do anything about it. Just as well I had already booked the trip with Bhud or I wouldn't have gone ahead with it. Ach well, that's life, not the first time its happened and I am sure it won't be the last 
).
