by ianrmaciver » Mon Jul 21, 2014 11:17 am
The Heugh was flat calm on the morning of the 12th....seals still singing!!
The two anchoring options we considered in Holy Island Harbour were the pool below the Heugh...near to St Cuthberts Island and the Ouse. The Ouse was dried out by the time we arrived ......and we had been warned that the anchorage there was fouled....it looked the place for maximum shelter , but you would need thigh boots to wade ashore . Ouse by name and nature.
Raising the anchor was straightforward and the "trip line " we set was not required.
No wind so we motored the 20 miles to Eyemouth , mooring up on the quay pontoon. The HM was very helpful and the showers welcome....and the pub served food.
Next day motored out , Westerly F3/4 set reefed main and staysail. Rounded St Abbs Head and headed for Anstruther , or as neat as we could point. Busy day as we shook out the genoa , then full main ,then 1 reef , then 2 reefs , then wind dropped to zero at 16.00. Started motoring and packed the sails away.....thankyou lazyjacks.....just in time for the wind to veer NW and go F5/6. The tide meant we had to get into Anstruther pdq so we motored past the Isle of May....arriving at 18.45.
The marina comprises mud berths on pontoon....hardish mud so no fin keels. After mooring up we found we were locked in...requires a key , which is available during office hours ....on a Sunday....not really available. I had phoned on Sat and Sun morning but no reply. Managed to borrow a key , showers not really available , so off for a pint and an early night .
Found the HM in the morning , he was quite helpful , just constrained by local authority working hours and not the tides.
Leaving in the morning was a further stage in our education.
Ian CC19 Minnie 85