Our recent guests, Ian and Fiona Woods, sent in a lovely review of their recent cruise. Ian mentioned that the cruise gave some spectacular highlights but for him the encounter with the humpback whale on the return leg was amazing but even better was the sunset off the Cairns of Coll. The evening meal had just finished when Skipper Bren came to announce that the sunset promised to be spectacular. Ian spent a good hour on the top deck photographing the beauty of the sunset and became aware of something special as Zoe, Hannah and Bren remained on top. There was total silence as they reflected on the profoundness of the scene. Both of those episodes led Ian to compose 2 poems which he read on the final night of the cruise - much to everyone's enjoyment. With Ian's permission, we publish them here so you can enjoy them too.
Whale Song
I see you Traveller
Sailing through my life
On your short journeys
You glimpse of me
Just fleeting moments
Enough, I think, to bring pleasure
But my journeys are long
In the deep ocean
Without the borders you create
Sometimes, you will see me
Leap high into your world,
Into your memory, into your dreams
When you are far from these seas
I will still swim through your life
You will never forget me
Sunset – Cairns of Coll
It is one thing
To hear just the lapping of waves
And the cry of seabirds
As the sun sets on the
Cairns of Coll
But nothing
Prepares for the moment
When clouds are thrown aside
And the light blazes forth
Like a warrior in death throes
And this is special
This commands silence from the watchers
The daily dying of the light
Piercing individual hearts
There is resurrection tomorrow
Always believe it loved ones
Dear Emma - Firstly, let me say a huge thank you to Rob, Craig, Bumble and Zoë for the wonderful way they made us feel so welcome and at home on Elizabeth G. Thanks too to Elizabeth G for being such a safe and reliable vessel. We wish the weather had been kinder but we always were able to take advantage of the trips ashore and saw some superb woldlife. We really enjoyed Bumble's great cooking and Zoë's excellent wildlife knowledge. Craig was amazing in the way he switched roles seamlessly and helped with the trips ashore. Rob's seamanship and experience was greatly admired and no more so than the day he responded to the Mayday call. He was also great to chat to and kept us amused in the wheelhouse on long wet passages with tales of colourful characters from his decades of association with the sea. It was an amazing experience - thank you.
Sue Hurst: 16 June 2022Far-flung islands: Harris, Taransay & the Flannan Isles