Through the Minch

We left Lerwick last evening and had the most wonderful voyage down to Greenock through the Minch and the Little Minch, between the Outer and Inner Hebrides. I stood on the deck for a long time, with a lot of others, just marvelling at the scenery. (When we passed Lewis I looked to the port side and waved to D in Sutherland, even though he would not see me.)

My picture is of the lighthouse on the isle of Scalpay, not a good picture it was distant, but I like it and with the hills of the Isle of Harris in the distance beyond. It was a lovely trip. (and we saw dolphins several times today)

We had a laugh as we passed Skye, as we were standing with a couple from Portree and we suggested they just launch a lifeboat and go home, rather than going south to Greenock.

We arrived in Greenock at 8am and we were able to disembark fairly quickly and easily.

We travelled 2,515 Nautical Miles, 2,894 land miles, we crossed the Arctic Circle twice, and we visited some really awesome countries. The 'Ocean Countess' is a great ship, 800 passengers and 300 odd crew, small for cruise liners nowadays, but she is an old ship, and very friendly because of the smaller numbers.

The Head Gardener and I never thought we would like cruising, and here we are, we have just finished our second!!!!