After my boatwork I jumped on the bike for another sunny ride. I crossed the fascinating moorland and reached the Calanais Standing Stones at the western side of Lewis.
Almost 5m high and 5000 years old, this prehistoric stone monument was only discovered about 170 years ago. Until today it remains a mystery.
The moorland is more tangible and a great source for peat, which is still being used by the locals although not as the primary source of fuel.
Fair winds…
It is good, that the majority of travellers prefer warmer climates. You get your own beach in this part of the world.
It is easy for me to write, that Garry Beach is the nicest arrangement of natural elements forming a beach I have seen in my life. Still puzzled.
Fair winds…
Stornoway’s charm reminds me at Lerwick and Kirkwall. It takes a couple of days to arrive in this different world. Once leaving the outskirts behind, the charm factor increases significantly.
A mixed ride out of tarmac and light gravel took me to the Tuimpan Head Lighthouse. The Chiru X-Root itself deployed all its inherent characteristics, while the rider must work much harder on his #LongerStrongerFaster performance.
Incredible rewarding 🚴♂️ ride.
Fair winds…
Sugar sailing at its best! Unfortunately it is only around 35nm from Loch Gairloch to Stornoway on the Outer Hebrides. This sailing could have gone on and on…but a low pressure system coming over from Greenland does not allow us to proceed.
Time to explore the Outer Hebrides.
Fair winds…
It was a long day under engine but finally we got to our place for the night – Loch Shieldaig in Loch Gairloch. We tied up to one of the mooring buoys for visitors rather dropping our anchor. Solid moorings, run by the Highland Harbour Council and used by fishing boats during winter and off season.
A marvellous spot, quiet and peaceful. Few uninhabited leisure boats left alone on long term moorings, otherwise nobody there. We are the only visiting yacht. The traditional four star lodge framing the bay has got some business. Mentally, we more and more start to arrive in this part of the world and acknowledge its beauty.
We decided to stay two nights just to have enough time to absorb before moving on.
Fair winds…
It was Titti 🚴♂️ Time and I got the bike out for a short ride to the local nearby beaches. Seeing them through the binocular from the sea side does not reveal the complete beauty of these sandbanks going deep into the river beds. Compared to Asia, these beaches here are unspoiled and without plenty of rubbish flying around.
The weather is playing with us at the moment apart from the light winds.
Fair winds…
On our second leg The Lady took Des and myself further up north towards the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. Leaving Glenarm Marina shortly after 4am should bring us in a favourable position to catch the outgoing tide at the Mull of Kintyre and it did. Unfortunately the wind ceased and a lot of motoring brought us after another memorable night at sea into Mallaig and the Highlands of Scotland.
Our board routine was fully deployed at that time, sufficient rest and good food.
Fair winds…
Sailing mate Des joined us when leaving Ireland on the 3rd of May. Initially bound for the Isle of Man 🇮🇲, we altered the course early as the short breaking 3m waves on the nose did not correspond to the 20kn of wind at all and kept flooding the deck. Direction and height wise these waves were pure pain not bearing any logic. A bit of a rough start to test our sea legs keeping the bucket at arm’s length.
After a couple of more hours on the altered tack we got some comfort back just in time for getting into a wonderful night.
Shortly after crossing Belfast Lough we arrived tired but happy in lovely Glenarm Marina / Northern Ireland – UK.
Fair winds…
After some intensive period of work to get The Lady ready for another adventure we finally got the stage to perform some sea trials.
From forestay replacement to heat exchanger (HE) refurbishment being two of the bigger jobs, there were a million of small bits and pieces to be addressed, starting from foresail luff length adjustment to getting the required nautical charts for the upcoming trip. Crazy crows trying to build a nest at the masttop kept me on my toes! Webasto changing priorities.
The sea trail took place within the lovely Dublin Bay and was testified by more than 150 years of sailing experience represented by fellow sailors from the Royal Irish Yacht Club.
A good and encouraging start under light winds and blue skies.
I had to get back to sea knowing that you can keep working on the boat without sailing at all. You won’t get bored but frustrated.
Departure date coming up on the horizon.
Fair winds…
I was extremely excited when sitting back home on the sofa sometime in February reading about this cycling event at the west coast of Ireland. Taking the weather risk I rolled in for the 80km distance, which by chance coincides with the unofficial track named after Stephen Roche, an Irish professional cyclist to be named on par with Eddy Merckx and Tadej Pogačar.
Another great ride on the beautiful west coast of Ireland was ahead of me. No excuse, no chance to escape!
It was dry but chilly day and there were quite some moments, at which I was not sure, how to make it to the finish line. The “Foodstop“ on the way after around 50km rescued me. The observation from fellow sailor & cyclist René is so true: you can just pick out the non-Irish—the Irish would never be seen wearing anything but shorts 😅.
More than 1000 biker got supported by more than 180 locals.
An amazing charity event!
Fair winds…
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