there she blows and off goes the ferry
Posted: Friday, 04 November 2005 |
Getting on and off Gigha has become rather unpredictable due to high tides and strong southerly winds. For over a week we have had major disruption to the ferry service. The school kids have already missed quite a few days of school - although I suspect they are not complaining.
Due to work being based on the mainland at the moment I am more dependent on the ferry than ever before. I have become obsessed with the met office website - inshore waters forecast (the 91Èȱ¬ forecasting continuing to let us down..). Last week I arrived for the 12 noon ferry last week to witness it hot tailing it to the south pier on Gigha with no passengers… It was blowing a hooley, but they could at least have taken us with them!! So, I settled down to work in the car on the lap top all afternoon, hopeful that we would have a teatime sailing - all the builders were on the island and I was sure the ferry staff would make an effort to get them off. Even though the wind was constantly dying down, no sign of a ferry and eventually we found out that the crew had decided not to sail - leaving about a dozen of us stranded (including tourists). Other tourists destined for a few nights in the Hotel had already given up.
But all was not lost. Kenny spotted a fishing boat at the pier on Tayinloan and negotiated a trip over to Gigha for us all. They were more than happy to take 6 locals, 5 tourists and a dog over!
The sailing was magnificent. The wind had dropped back, we had porpoises sailing along side us and a wonderful sunset. We had a whip round for the boys, who were embarrassed to take money. Not only did we get a lift, but they gave us some fish for our tea – so Monkfish was on the menu that night!! It was truly a marvellous way to arrive on the island. Stepping onto the island was even sweeter when remembering that we were saved another night away from home.
With the forecast for next week not looking any better, its fingers crossed as not only do I lose money - the company I work for loses face when no one turns up for meetings. If global warming continues to give us these strong but warm winds the islanders will need to campaign for a better ferry service to safe guard the future of the island. No ferries means no trade - either way and without that we have no island.
Due to work being based on the mainland at the moment I am more dependent on the ferry than ever before. I have become obsessed with the met office website - inshore waters forecast (the 91Èȱ¬ forecasting continuing to let us down..). Last week I arrived for the 12 noon ferry last week to witness it hot tailing it to the south pier on Gigha with no passengers… It was blowing a hooley, but they could at least have taken us with them!! So, I settled down to work in the car on the lap top all afternoon, hopeful that we would have a teatime sailing - all the builders were on the island and I was sure the ferry staff would make an effort to get them off. Even though the wind was constantly dying down, no sign of a ferry and eventually we found out that the crew had decided not to sail - leaving about a dozen of us stranded (including tourists). Other tourists destined for a few nights in the Hotel had already given up.
But all was not lost. Kenny spotted a fishing boat at the pier on Tayinloan and negotiated a trip over to Gigha for us all. They were more than happy to take 6 locals, 5 tourists and a dog over!
The sailing was magnificent. The wind had dropped back, we had porpoises sailing along side us and a wonderful sunset. We had a whip round for the boys, who were embarrassed to take money. Not only did we get a lift, but they gave us some fish for our tea – so Monkfish was on the menu that night!! It was truly a marvellous way to arrive on the island. Stepping onto the island was even sweeter when remembering that we were saved another night away from home.
With the forecast for next week not looking any better, its fingers crossed as not only do I lose money - the company I work for loses face when no one turns up for meetings. If global warming continues to give us these strong but warm winds the islanders will need to campaign for a better ferry service to safe guard the future of the island. No ferries means no trade - either way and without that we have no island.
Posted on buttondiva at 21:16
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