The Hibernation Season

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We returned to tend to the retirement project at the weekend. Up at Crinan, autumn is very much in evidence as the trees that hang onto the hills around the loch begin to turn brown and shed their leaves.



We did at least manage to get out onto the water for what we anticipate will be the final time this season. I even made a mighty effort to assist Mister E in removing and bagging the sails, so that he cannot be tempted to plot otherwise. With the sails in hibernation, he must now wait until next year.

Of course, we'll be back to continue the electrical work and varnishing, once she's lifted ashore for the winter and then we're talking about returning to marina living in 2020. Rowing a dinghy backwards and forwards just to remove our bedding for instance is a major operation, especially when it involves planning around the wind direction and rain showers. We have come up against the harsh reality of comfort versus stamina when tied to a mooring buoy. In retirement whilst we  enjoy putting in the effort, it always seems much more worthwhile when rewarded by congenial living.


There is also the constant fear of arriving after a 6 hour journey to find that the conditions impede our ability to board. On this visit, however, we were reasonably succesful in dodging the rain and strong winds and I even managed a beautiful stroll along the canal. Conditions were a little bracing from time to time, but you might never guess it from the photographs.









 

Comments

Treaders said…
Wow, how beautiful. I've travelled a lot as it is my passion, but have never made it to Scotland. It's definitely on my bucket list though. And I agree with you, sailing and owning a boat is physically hard work and I think you have to balance that a little more finely as you get older (as with everything I guess)!
27 September 2019 at 08:25
Caree Risover said…
If Scotland was known for its sunny weather, wine and cuisine instead of its beautiful scenery, coastline, highlands, remoteness, castles, history and bagpipes it would be inundated. Mind even the midges don’t stop some spots getting crowded in the height of the summer.
30 September 2019 at 08:33
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