When the night has come

Do not let the calming blue and twinkling lights fool you.  Today was a day full of danger and risk and no snacks. 

Yesterday, was Loch Melfort, today we decided to go somewhere we had not been before.  Seil Sound. 

We set off after an explorer's breakfast of Crunchie Nuts and Coffee. (not together, one in a bowl, one in a cup).   We headed north.  The day was bright, and slightly breezy but when we entered the Sound, all calm fell around us. 

We spotted a good spot  - about 50 yards from the shore, about 200 yards from the centre of the sound.  And the water was like a mirror. 

We cut the engine and sat, the boat spun around on its axis very slowly - no movement on the water, just a gentle turn over and over.. .we were caught in a very very little whirlpool.  It was beautiful.  We didn't move up the sound, or down, or across, it was heavenly.  We sat there for perhaps an hour and a half.  Then we moved slightly up and sat there.   

We watched some people on a little sandy beach pack up their picnic and sail off - and then frantically start bailing when they were away from us. 

Highlight of this trip - I spotted a sea eagle.   The Island we were staying on is part of a sea-eagle and golden eagle conservation group  - so I noted the WHAT 3 WORDS location and took a picture.  Oh I was so excited. 

We decided to go to the top of the sound, but as we motored up - we realised the sound narrowed and stopped at the top - and as we had been out for three hours by this time we decided to head back. 

And that is when it all started to go wrong. 

As we turned the boat and started to motor, we realised that the wind was picking up.   We realised that there were little white caps on the waves.... The faster we motored, the more the waves crashed over the front of the boat. 

The slower we went, the more the wind pushed us back. 

We found a happy medium which kept us moving, and although we got splashed, we weren't getting soaked.   Then Tooli's hat blew off, and Himself did a quick turnaround, three times while Tooli leaned over and tried to grab it.   On the fourth attempt - with me holding her pants, she got it. 

The two of us settled in the boat hanging on to each other, whilst laughing boy in the back, powered on, and we bounced up and down over the waves, and got wetter and wetter. 

Eventually we got into the shade of our Island, and we only had another 20 minutes of torture to go.  

I have never gotten off a boat so quickly or easily in my life. 

You think you are only sitting on a boat, but in actual fact, your body is using all your muscles to stay steady.  I went straight from the boat, to the life jacket room, hung everyone's jackets up and went to find wine. 

Himself and Tooli  filled the petrol tank, and tied the boat up. 

And then I sat.  I sat on the deck, and I looked at the sea which was now sitting all calm and lovely, and wondered what it was that made it so crazy and dangerous and attractive all at once?   Kinda like me huh? 

Then my phone started pinging with aurora alerts but there just wasn't enough clear sky to see it.  But it was worth just sitting at looking at it.  

The perfect calming end to the day.