Nothing can be hidden from Lochaline Stores,
Supposing the Grocer’s has eyes and ears:
Not an addiction to scratch cards or whisky,
Not a partiality to a bottle of Chianti.
Not a dickey heart, not an icky stomach,
Not a forty-a-day habit, not a weakness for crumpets,
Not a feverish love of the Guardian newspaper,
Not you dashing in for Alka-Seltzer.
Not the book of first class stamps for your love letters
Not you turning back from margarine to butter
Not a stain on your laundry–coffee, wine?–
Not your shaky I’m fine to the daily how are you?

Jackie Kay

Day 1

Departing the day after our 41st wedding anniversary, boat fully stocked with all our favourite goodies and my luggage taking up two cabins, I’m sure the captain detected this was already going to be a very different trip to his usual guest sailing trips! We left in warm summer sunshine, sailed past our little home in the woods, by the shore at the foot of the hills and as each nautical mile flowed behind us, so too did the stresses and preoccupations of landlife. It’s never about running away but more about really taking a break. I had just finished my academic year which always entails a fair share of high pressure and now the only high pressure would be a welcome weather system offering blue skies and sunny days! The captain is full on when at work and although loves his work, a break from routine is always welcomed.

Snaking out through the narrows at the entrance to our sheltered sea loch and heading south to the end of Lismore before turning the helm north and up the Sound of Mull, each exhale seemed to empty the mind and our bodies relaxed. The familiar skylines, features and shorelines flowed past, reassuringly constant and identifiable. Lismore Light, The Seven Maids of Morvern, Duart Castle and eventually the hidden entrance to Lochaline where we headed in and tied up on the pontoons next to a large recognisable motorboat. I’d rowed past her over the winter when out with my crew mates in our cute wee Skiff and we chatted to the pleasant owners, sharing stories and experiences about being grand parents and the joys of teaching our wee ones childhood songs like Ally Bally and Three Craws!

Once settled and calm I promptly fell asleep! Unheard of to have an afternoon nap but I realised my brain was working overtime to recover from the balance issue and being at sea for hours had probably tested it further  so I gave into it and felt much the better for it an hour later. 

We’d booked a table at The Whitehouse restaurant to celebrate our anniversary so, when it was time, we strolled along, me in my dress complete with trainers and cagoul and the captain in his smart shirt!

We’d wanted to experience this place for years but never really had the time nor justification for the expensive set menu so were excited for it. It did not disappoint. The ingredients were local, sustainably produced and cooked, combined, paired and served to perfection. We managed a dry amble back to the boat and I was delighted to climb up into our bunk and nestle down into the comfy quilt, the waters lapping the hull and my captain beside me.