A sunny sail to Cutty Hunk

Thursday 4 September the humans were awake early made tea and set off in brilliant sunshine but no wind at all. In the early morning there was much dew on the deck. While sponging down the cockpit Alan said, “we need a bigger sponge for this or that chamois leather!”  Brec understood, “we need a bigger sunscreen for the sunny weather!” Two deaf old codgers on a boat! 

Once clear of the harbour Alan took over the helm and more or less stayed there the whole way. Brec loves to just potter on boats and so once a course was set, that’s what he did most of the day.He spliced, he cleaned, he serviced. A happier Bear you would be hard to find. 

By around 10:00 hrs there was a light breeze and so Brec put up all plane sail and we motor sailed the rest of the way. The sails increased our speed by at leaset a knot! It was a beautiful day and at one point, once we could see Cutty Hunk Island Brec did ask our BBF if he wanted to turn the engine off, but he said no as then it would take forever to get there. Brec in his pottering pumped up the dinghy and then put it overboard to tow it. 

By 13:00 hrs we had the island well in view. Alan made bacon sandwiches for lunch. As we got closer Brec took the sails down. We followed the buoys and soon found ourselves in the harbour which was almost empty. 

Brec picked up the mooring and then there was silence. The humans tided the boat, put the sail covers on, the outboard engine on the dinghy then the went ashore. On the dock bear the harbour master’s office was a place where one could get any number of shell fish. Brec bought a dozen oysters (6 each) which they ate on the dock in the sunshine. The oysters were some of the best they had ever eaten! 

A lot has changed since last we were here! The grocery store was now down by the fuel dock and closed for the day! The souvenir shop was closed and had a big sign which said summer hours 09:00-17:00 hrs!

Brec took Alan back to the boat in the dinghy and then went to the top of the hill to paint. Alan prepared the evening meal and had a snooze. When Brec came back he showed Alan his sketches and they sat and ate their meal talking as usual till it was time for bed.