Leg 4 Part 4 - Tobermory back to Mallaig

Day 29: 19th July  - The cruise might have finsihed but this is not the end of the leg for us.  Alan and Jackie have left their car in Mallaig and we plan to leave the boat there and travel home with them. So it is back around Ardnamurcan Point.

At 09.00 we slip the mooring and wave a final good bye to the crew of Santa Maria - no one else was in sight.  The fog is back and there is no wind so we are motor sailing.  The conditions give us reason and  opportunity to use the radar and coupled with the AIS (Automatic Identification System) we get a good indication of what is out there - even when you can not see beyond the end of the boat. Still no reason not tokeep a good look out and Alan and David took turns in standing on the foredeck blowing the fog horn.

At 12.00 we suddenly emerged from the fog, then the wind filled in and we were sailing in bright sunshine - perfect!

At 15.40 we were moored in Mallaig Harbour which will be home for Noisette for the next 10 days or so while we pop home.

After a shower in the local swimming pool, we had dinner at the West Highland Hotel, eating outside with superb views of Skye, Eigg and Rum - giving us ample opportunity to reflect on a wonderful cruise as the sun set far to the North West.

Excellent company, food scenary, sailing and organisation, with some challenge and good weather thrown in.  We could not have wished for more.

Our thanks to Kathryn and Gaz, Jackie and Alan, the WWC, fellow Malts crews and all those we met along the way, for making this leg so special.