11. Selkie Dancer -
We left Port Ellen on Islay this morning expecting to be in Northern Ireland by tonight, however we had worrying news from home that Dad was in hospital with pneumonia and not responding to antibiotics so we have come to Gigha in case I need to return home.
We had great weather in Oban before we set off for 'part two'. Friends, Gael and John joined us for a loaves and fishes type lunch while at anchor in Oban bay on a sweltering hot day.
The following day, our electronic chart having arrived, we set off for Loch Tarbert a lovely long finger of loch on the West coast of Jura. The next day we motored to Islay and found the place ready to meet us. The fishing boats festooned with bunting, the smartly painted houses and the freshly ploughed beach, were they all there to welcome us?.......No, we had apparently arrived in between the Queen embarking on her Scottish cruise and the annual fishermens' race (according to a local source, 'just an excuse for a good swally!'). This morning the fishing boats looked amazing, as I say covered in flags, they steamed away from port and round the marked course at great speed. They circled us like sharks and we had to pick our moment to dash through the cordon. They were hooting and tooting and full to the gunnels, people hanging off the rigging and crowded on the decks, they resembled Indian trains or immigrant boats. One looked just like the pirate cake I made for Mac's sixth birthday.
Anyway we are in Gigha and wondering what to do next. Hopefully tomorrow things will be clearer.
Till next time. Jinti and Andy
12. Selkie Dancer -
Since last I wrote my dearest Dad has died. I was so lucky to get back to Fife in time to see him and the next day he just slipped away. What is so shocking is how fast it happened. I left him the week before, content in his flat and spoke to him most days. He was only four days in hospital and I am so glad that he did not have to spend a long drawn out period in a Nursing Home. Such is the dread of us all I imagine.
I honestly have nothing but happy memories of him and just can't get used to the idea that he isn't there anymore. We may moan about them from time to time and have angst and revolt in the teenage years but we may not recognise what anchors our parents are.
Well now I am an orphan and, as my sister in law pointed out am now grown up. It is very painful at the moment. However we will have a cremation on Monday morning and return to the sea once we have sorted things out. We intend to have a memorial service in Morayshire where he lived and worked for the majority of his life. That will be a good thing to plan. We have a piper who has offered his treasured services already.
Anyway life goes on and we have altered our plans and will go down the east side of Ireland to make our rendezvous in Fishguard and Padstow at the end of August, take note Tom and String!
Until then and much love to all and those who knew and have been so loving -
