Just after midday on Friday 13th, the rising tide allowed us to depart from Dysart, bound first east out of the Firth of Forth and then south to Dunbar. The wind direction required us to tack back and forth, dodging some large commercial vessels on the way. Although colourful, emerging suddenly out of the fog they are highly dangerous.
It is vital to look out for such craft, which approach at speed and one does not want to get in their way. Our route took us between the Bass Rock and the coast. From afar it looks like it is completely covered in white flowers.
On closer inspection the white flowers are transformed into a host of gannets, 100,000 of them in fact. The 'rock' is 350 ft high and lies 3 miles offshore. Not only gannets but also razorbills, terns, puffins, guillemots and fulmars come to nest on it in summer.
Another species of seabird welcomed us in Dunbar harbour.
Yes, Follyfin was berthed just below the largest Kittiwake colony on a man-made surface (ruined Dunbar Castle) in the UK, about 35,000 Kittiwakes in fact. The castle does seem to be showing a few signs of wear and tear whilst performing this valuable function though.
Needless to say, the Kittiwakes kept us alert and made sure we did not oversleep on Saturday morning.
Although we liked Dunbar, we felt we should leave the Kittiwakes in peace. So on Saturday afternoon we departed through the narrow and very exciting entrance to Dunbar Harbour (this blogger was too anxious to take photos on the way in the day before ... the entrance does not become apparent until just before the sharp left turn in has to be made).
We are currently sitting in Eyemouth Harbour which also has a narrow entrance ... the photo below is from inside the harbour.
An unfortunate incident occurred just before we came into Eyemouth. We had been fishing again whilst slowly sailing down from Dunbar, and yes we, or rather the Skipper, caught 3 more mackerel. Chuffed with success, the mate went to start the engine to get sails down before entering harbour but immediately a strange noise was heard and smoke came pouring out of the engine compartment! It seems that the starter motor had packed up. Luckily the engine was running so we were able to get into the harbour but now it's off, it can't be started again. However we have already had a marine engineer on board and we hope to get it sorted tomorrow or Tuesday so this little hiatus should not interfere too seriously with our plans - we are expecting more visitors towards next weekend. For now though we are stuck in Eyemouth, first or last port of call in Scotland, depending on which way round you are sailing!
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