Gannets

A beautiful day if a little windy.  I went for a run/walk first thing – running straight into the wind when you haven’t run for six months was very hard work.  Once home I hung my washing out and it dried quickly thanks to the wind.  Next stop was the out of town shopping centre as I needed an emergency purchase from the chemist.  It was then home for lunch, and to get ready for the afternoon’s adventure.

We drove over to North Berwick to meet up with friends.  We were all going on a boat tri[p to the Bass Rock.  My emergency chemist purchase was something for seasickness.  I am not good on boats and the wind alone had my stomach flipping cart wheels at the very thought of being in a wee boat on the high seas! First task was to get out of the harbour (I can see our boat in this blip - 14 August 2016 - the brown coloured boat, with the bunting-like flags, at the left harbour wall), and it felt like we were doing a forty-six point turn.  As soon as we were out of the harbour we were seriously bobbing around, but once we got going I put all thoughts of seasickness out of my head and started to enjoy it.  Apart from the wind, the conditions were perfect – with fantastic visibility. The trip was scheduled to go to Craigleith, but we didn't go there today - because of the wind. There were gannets everywhere, and it was wonderful to get so close to the Bass Rock and to see them on every available ledge. We sailed anti clockwise round the rock - though didn't go right round - probably as much as you can see  here (22 May 2016).  Conditions on the way back were a wee bit “splashy” according to the captain, but it was great to get a seaward view of the coast from Seacliff along to North Berwick. I have always thought it would be great to go out to the Bass Rock – but would never have gone, if friends hadn’t provided the opportunity.  I’d do it again – as long as I have the medication! I took lots of photographs – many have been deleted as they were rubbish due to us constantly bobbing around.  Here’s a view of the lighthouse and one or two gannets! You can see the remains of a castle which was then used as a jail.  The extras show a gannet, and a view back to the bass Rock from the boat. [i]I can't get hyperlinks to work.[/i]