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July 2008
I can't believe it is the start of July already, where did April, May and June go?! They may already be in the past but some beautiful weather led to some memorable weeks on the water. In April I was sailing off Skye in perfect conditions - the winds were just right, not too weak but not too strong. The skies were clear and blue each day, and each morning we woke to discover the snow-line on the surrounding mountains had lowered overnight - thankfully the Eberspacher worked perfectly all week!
May meant a move to the Clyde, to be part of a fleet of five boats full of Day Skipper candidates. The highlight of the week was being involved in a helicopter rescue - thankfully only a training exercise, but a great experience nonetheless.
The calm weather at the start of June made wildlife spotting that bit easier than normal, and we were treated to basking sharks and a minke whale. If you have ever been told that a whale's breath stinks - it's true! The weather finally broke during the two weeks spent in the Northern Isles, skippering a 'Round Britain Experience'. We had hoped to get as far north as Shetand, but ended up stormbound twice in three days in Orkney! Not that that was a problem, as the Orkneys are hugely interesting and full of history. Sailing there can be fairly challenging, having to negotiate the tides casued by the meeting of the Atlantic and the North Sea. Eventually we managed to use the break between gales to head firstly to Peterhead, and then to Edinburgh. The last leg was a bit bumpy, close-hauled in a Force 7 all the way from Peterhead to Fife, but we had occasional treats like a couple of dolphins seeing what we were up to as a grey dawn slowly lightened the sky.
February 2008
Weather-wise it has been a miserable start to the year, with the west coast continuing to be battered by gale after gale. That didn't deter everybody - in January we ran a Coastal Skipper/Yachtmaster theory course, in which everyone passed. Well done to them!
We now have another pair of training radios for the VHF/SRC courses, so everyone is guaranteed lots of individual hands-on experience. Why not book a place on a course?
If you have a specific query, or would like to find out more, call or email us at info@bluefinsailing.co.uk