Set course for our first Scottish loch
After a gentle awakening in front of the landscape of the Scottish mountains and the peaceful landing stage welcoming the SailCaledonia fleet, we begin for the 2nd time what will be our morning ritual of the week. After a tour to the only sanitary of the lock located near the bivouac (the stops are rarely generous from this point of view), we dismantle the tents. It is time to queue for breakfast aboard Ros Crana, our accompanying barge. On the menu: sausage sandwich, porridge, cereals and hot drinks. For lack of being gastronomic, the meal is close to the body and still has the charm of novelty at the beginning of this week. This is followed by the traditional briefing at the beginning of the day to present safety instructions and the day's programme to the crews. On this Monday morning, the SailCaledonia flotilla will cross its first freshwater Loch, the Loch Lochy. The afternoon will be devoted to regattas between two buoys, weather permitting.
Bivouac at the entrance of Loch Lochy
Alarm clock in front of the Loch
Morning briefing and intense reflection from the skippers!
The long crossing of Loch Lochy...
The loch is about 8 miles long. It looks like a mirror this early morning. Optimistic, we are trying to win the starting line sailing. Unfortunately, we are forced to accept a tow to not miss the cannon shot! We hope throughout the morning that the wind will rise. Unfortunately, Loch Lochy rhymes with"sweaty". It is sweating from a long rowing and paddling crossing that we arrive on the other side of the lake. That day, the width of the Multimono, useful for power under sail, was certainly not an advantage over rowing boats, their light weight and their small wet surface. The speed has at least allowed us to enjoy the landscape under a summer sun and a temperature rarely seen by the Scots.
Sea of oil on Loch Lochy
Alain seeks the wind to reach the starting line
It's time to paddle on Loustic
Sailing and rowing under the sun
Landscape of Loch Lochy
The Celtic Longboats were better suited for that day!
Capsizing tests and test navigations
Because of the Scottish cliché, Claude had taken Loustic's awning on board in anticipation of the rain. Facing the blazing sun, he finally transforms the cockpit of the Multimono into a pleasant shaded terrace to enjoy a glass of white wine with a picnic. My crew had reported some reservations from France!
Loustic's awning does wonders
Scottish sun protection
In the absence of wind, the afternoon sailing races are cancelled. While a brave skipper voluntarily turns his boat over to check his ability to right it, light airs are an opportunity to exchange crews and test new boats. Passionate owners are delighted to introduce their baby, which they have often built themselves. I board Elsie, a nice Orkney inspired canoe designed by Iain Oughtred. Light, it starts very quickly under sail and we have seen previously at our expense its good rowing performance! Its curved tiller in glulam is a real work of art. A trip aboard Pippin, a Swallow Boat of about twenty feet is the opportunity to try a sailboat from this Welsh yard, very represented in the fleet. Transportable, equipped with liquid ballasts, they seem to have the coast in the United Kingdom. Claude takes the opportunity to feminize his crew with Welsh rowers, neophytes of sailing. He demonstrates the wings of the boat, despite the little wind. After a last lock passage, a hot dinner and some whiskies, we join the tent to regain our strength!
Elsie's tiller
Capsizing test
Sailing on Elsie
Claude provides the show on Loustic
