At 19.00 on Tuesday 11th May Freyja was reported to be 40 miles out from. St Katherines. The crew report problems with the cock pit chart plotter which keeps turning itself off every 5 minutes. This is odd because the previous 2 crews reported no problems with this equipment. 

Thursday 13th May

Freyja reported at 18.00 13th May that she was 54 degrees 26 minutes North and 0 degrees 59 minutes east. This is just north of Flamborough Head. They are sailing at 6 to 7 knots and are 4 hours behind their passage plan but not unexpected considering the conditions they have experienced. The weather is fine and they are all in good spirits. Last night was the coldest in May since 1996, according to the BBC weather.  

Friday 14th May

Freyja’s position at 18.00 was 56 degrees 6 minutes north and 0 degrees 37 minutes east which is just north of Edinburgh. This is just 6 hours behind their original passage plan. They have seen lots of dolphins and a solitary swallow.

Freyja reported her position to be 57 degrees 58 minutes north and 0 degrees 10 minutes west. The weather is fine and the wind is from the south west at 9 to 13 knots. they are about 9 hours behind their original passage plan but are happy with the progress they are making. The crew have taken sun sights today with sextant and intend to take sights of stars tonight. They have seen a Minkie Whale 

Monday 17th May

Freyja arrived in Shetland early Sunday morning after her voyage from St Katherines. A trip of some 600 miles. The sailing for the last part of the journey was fast and the land fall port was Symbister on the island of Whalsay arriving at 04.00. 

We left Lerwick mid afternoon on Friday 21st May for Symbister on the island of Whalsay as our shakedown cruise. The wind was SW at about 20 knots. As I was the one most likely to fall over board I made sure we did our Man Over Board drill on this leg. 

Thursday 3rd June

From left to right Alan Pemberton, Hilary Tyrrell, Jean Rehill, Stephanie Wilson, Anne Rehill, John Wilson , John Smith, Duncan Wilson, Philip Nixon, Graham Fairhead and Tom Kittle.  

The first night on her journey south Freyja spent about 12 miles south of Lerwick anchored near Sandwick and had a peaceful night with lots of Fulmars seen around the boat. At half past nine on Monday morning of 31st May Freyja was just approaching Sumburgh Head the most southerly point of the Shetland Islands on the way to Fair Isle with plenty of sunshine and 10 knots or so of wind. Water economy measures imposed. In the evening the crew had a excellent walk on the Island and visited a local museum. Cold winds were forecast for the trip to Orkney where they hoped to arrive at Westray in the North West of the Orkney’s by 8.pm on Tuesday 1st June. I have not had confirmation that they arrived but signal and battery power for the mobile may be an issue here. 

Freyja reported this afternoon that they had rounded Cape Wrath at noon. There were fog patches. They approached Handa Island a RSPB bird sanctuary about 15 miles south of Cape Wrath to see the birds and take photographs. They are anchored in a lovely loch named Loch Drumbeg just north of Loch Inver at approximately 58 degrees 15 minutes north and 05 degrees 30 minutes west. An otter has been seen swimming past the boat.

Freyja is now in Stromness in the South West of the Orkney’s after spending a day in W in Westray due to strong winds. They are due to set out for Eriboll on the north coast of Scotland on Friday morning 4th June.

Friday 4th June   

I heard from Freyja at half past three today. They are going well even saw 9.5 knots on the log and could see the mainland hills in front of them as they approach Eriboll Loch                                 

Wednesday 9th June

Map showing Freyja’s route from Lerwick to Stornaway and crew at Stornaway ready for hand over to the next crew Paul Sutcliffe and Co. Paul’s crew is Sue Hockland, Peter Wakeling, David Bailey, John Cranwell-Ward and Graham Peiser

Thursday 10th June

NE wind of 8 knots or so made for motor sailing. The lunch stop at Shiant Isle with a profusion of sea birds including 2 Great Northern Divers, puffins, gannets fulmars. Th at On to North Harbour on the Isle of Scalpay part of Harris. 24 miles run today. 

Friday 11th June

Saturday 12th June

Sunday 13th June

Travelled 40 miles through Kyle Rhea (tides runs at up to 8 Knots) for a lunch stop at Inverie, location of the most remote pub on the mainland of GB the Old Forge. Then on to a mooting in Arisag where we are surrounded by yachts and no longer feel we are more or less alone in Scottish waters. The wind was light at first and then F4 giving ans excellent sail.

32 miles run with the wind N going variable F3 - 4 with the barometer rising. Went to Port Mor on Muck for lunch then on to Tobermory a delightful town. Excellent evening at the Western Isles Hotel.

Tuesday 15th June

One of us is ready for the weather

 or the optomist and the pessimist

Wednesday 16th June

Left Coll in fog for Staffa island. Saw Fingal’s cave through Scotch mist. Had the company of a small basking shark to join the otters seals and harbour porpoises along with the birds of course. Sky clearing we sailed to Iona where we landed to visit the Community there before going on to Tinkers Hole anchorage for the night. 28 miles run forecast remains fair for trip to Oban.

SW F3 helped us to cover the remaining 35 miles to Oban with a lunch stop at the pretty anchorage Puiladobhrain or Pool of Otters. Refueled at marina but no water follwoing failure of the de-salination plant on Kerrera. Our final meal in Oban after cleaning the boat.

Freyja did not get stranded in Tinker’s Hole see page 2 for further adventures. Ed.