Speed Bonny Boat

Yesterday was bad.  Today was even worse. 

Today was a day out on the mainland. 

To get to the main land, we had to (a) cross to Arduenne point. (b) off load one passenger  (c) drive to Craobh Haven (d) sail to Craobh Haven, (e) collect passengers (f) have day out (e) do a - e in reverse. 

I was selected offloading passenger.  me and Boat alone not the best idea. 

It was slightly windy but the charts said we were okay. 

We couldn't get the boat started. But Luckily R, the husband of the Management couple was at the pier and he gave us handy tip and the boat started immediately ,

We set off on a bouncy ride across the bay.  A dog leg is required and we manouvered it magnificently (well Himself did). 

We approached the pier, which is about a thirty foot block of concrete into the sea twenty of foot is available when the tide is high. Today the tide was low and we had about 10 foot. 

There is a concrete stepway up the side which is old and crumbly and wet.   We pulled up along side, Tooli Grabbed the rope and held it steady whilst I disembarked with my usual grace and swearing. 

I then grabbed the rubbish bags and boxes, and squealed loudly when I realised I had let go the rope and the boat was drifting to the shore- Tooli was punting like crazy and Himself was going apeshit at me. 

Tooli got it under control.  We held it fast til the engine went, but then the boat moved forward, and the engine bounced into the boat.  Too close to shore. 

Punting commenced again, and the motor was started. 

As they pulled away from the shore, I began the climb to the car park up the 1- 4 gradient. 

Then I realised there was no noise.... the engine had cut out and i turned back to see them drifting towards an outcrop of rocks, Tooli valiently punting at them with her little oar and himself standing up pulling on the cord frantically. 

I grabbed my phone and made a panicked call to R... christ knows what I thought he would do,,,, he was twenty minutes away in his fastest boat. 

Suddenly the engine fired into life. and they were off.  I began my ascent of the pier and finally got to the car and took 5 full minutes to get my breath back. 

I made it along to Craobh Marina, and sat in completely the wrong place waiting for them. but eventually found them, and we headed to Oban. 

It took us the thirty minute drive up to calm down and we arrived, browsed some shops and then found a lovely harbourside restaurant for something to eat. 

The anticipation of heading back was killing us, so immediately after lunch we headed back to the car, went to the supermarket, and then drove back to the Marina.  I decamped the two of them and headed back to Arduenne for the car park.  

This was them coming to get me....

I sat and watched them get bigger and bigger, and the dread in my stomach got bigger and bigger as I anticipated the  climb down onto the boat. 

Surprisingly. I made it.  I think it was made easier by the fact the tide was closer in. 

The sail back was very, very bouncy.  The front of the boat was lifting and splashing down. 

Once more I made the fastest exit known to man, from the boat, up the jetty and into the Wine Cupboard.   

I don't know how much more I can take.