Today the run of good luck and good weather continued and 'Sea Stallion' was treated to calm seas and sunshine. As we left Loch Inver a pair of pipers serenaded us on our way. The only thing missing was the wind but that picked up soon and we started making good progress south along the coast. The scenery here is truly stunning with almost the entire coastline fringed with dramatic cliffs, caves and arches. Erik, formerly a Professor of Geology at Manitoba University, pointed out features of interest along the way. He told me ‘the UK is amazing; so much geology packed into such a small area’. He had even stowed a book about British geology – real commitment to his science with only 60 litres of space allocated per person.
Solvej washing up
The crew had plenty of time to admire the Scottish scenery when the wind dropped again in the afternoon. In an attempt to gain a little more speed they tied an extra curtain of fabric onto the bottom of the sail, although Carsten didn’t seem to think that it had made much difference. With the ship becalmed many passed the time by playing cards and singing. In the sunshine the front of the ship becomes a real suntrap and is said to be 10 degrees centigrade warmer than beneath the sail. There certainly seemed to be some truth in this as Carli and others had to wrap themselves up in their wet weather gear to sleep under the shadow of the big sail.
Today was also the last day of sailing for many as tomorrow a third of the crew will be leaving, to be replaced with a new band of Viking volunteers. Both David and Diarmid are among the leavers. Diarmid told me – ‘I will miss being on board, especially being surrounded by so many people all the time. Usually I work alone so it will be strange to go back to being on my own again’. David was also sad to be leaving, but reflected: ‘I have made loads of new friends and had a great time. I am not too down about leaving as I am going to be sailing with the ship next summer back to Roskilde, so I have that to look forward to.’
Hans Jacob sewing his trousers up
Hans Jacob and Diarmid also took the time during the lull to make some running repairs to their trousers, which had ripped. Diarmid assured me that ‘all good sailors should know how to sew.’ Very domesticated! Whilst the boys were sewing Suzanne and Solvej took on the washing up – not an easy undertaking in such cramped conditions, with more than 60 dirty sets of cutlery and plates to deal with.
Later in the afternoon the wind picked up again and we were back on track to reach Skye by tomorrow morning, where the 20 new crew members will be waiting to take their place on 'Sea Stallion' and the halfway point of the journey will have been reached.
