A fish, a fish!

Well actually 4, but 2 got away (oh yes they did ...)

Having a couple of hours to kill on Wednesday, whilst waiting for the tide to go into the next port of call, we anchored off north Fife coast in the pleasant Largo Bay in the Firth of Forth. The sun actually shone for a while as we had lunch on deck.

The 'youngsters' decided to fish and at last the mackerel cooperated, so we are encouraged.

Since our crew joined us on Sunday evening, we have been sailing almost non-stop. From Stonehaven, where the old town and harbour are attractive but the new town less so,

we headed south to Arbroath, of Smoky fame. The wind was brisk (maximum wind speed 30.5 knots so just into Force 7 but was 5 or 6 most of the time) and the swell quite large but thanks to precautionary measures, no one suffered sea sickness. In fact it was a most enjoyable downwind sail. The following day we sourced the best smokery in town - Messrs M & M Spink, as seen on TV (apparently) with Rick Stein (let's hope he doesn't do to Arbroath what he has done to Padstow) - purchased a large supply, and then slipped our lines just in time to catch the sea lock out before it closed for the day. Whilst in the harbour there we saw a clam boat under restoration, with its nets hanging over the side. Clams, crabs and lobsters are the only catch landed on this coast now, which is sad. All the white fish, including the haddock for the smokies, is imported from the west coast.

Our next port of call was Anstruther on the north coast of the Firth of Forth - a very picturesque harbour with a very well deserved reputation for excellent fish and chips which we can definitely endorse.

Once again we had to wait for the tide to get into Anstruther, so we incorporated a visit to the Isle of May en route. This island sits in the middle of the entrance to the Firth of Forth and is a bird and seal sanctuary. Anchoring off Altar Stones, the landing place, we rowed ashore and were rewarded with close up views of puffins in profusion, cormorants as well as many curious seals.

Yesterday, Thursday 12th, we arrived at the very pleasant small harbour of Dysart, just east of Kirkaldy. Here we said goodbye to Ivor and Marina who had to return to London. I for one will miss their help with the fenders and lines!

We are the only visitor and quite unusual since the harbour dries and boats of Follyfin's size would not normally visit as it is necessary to dry out against the wall. So we have had many curious people coming to have a look at us. Dysart was once an important and very busy commercial port enjoying a brisk import and export trade with the Low Countries and the Baltic.

Unfortunately the recently restored building housing the Dysart Sailing Club, seen in the foreground below, was burned out earlier this year. Arson was suspected.