The gale that has been lashing our coasts since Friday has finally subsided. The ferry has returned, after an absence of two days, bringing replenishments to the local supermarkets. We get bare shelves when the ferry doesn't sail - because everything comes by ferry. Planes are not used for transporting goods.
Last Wednesday saw the return of our regular ferry ship, the MV Loch Seaforth. I like the Seaforth, but find it a little disconcerting that passengers insist on draping themselves across the couches, taking up space where 4 could sit. However, the Minch can be bumpy, so who am I to complain. The previous ferry, MV Isle of Lewis, put in an appearance for 10 days whilst the Seaforth underwent its annual refit in Aberdeen. She is bigger, but tends to slam down on the waves when there is a swell running. When is there ever not a swell running in the Minch. Other relief vessels have include the Clansman, and the Hebrides. In the past, the freight was carried by MV Muirneag fondly (?) remembered by its soubriquet Olympic Flame - she never went out. Muirneag did go out one day, into the teeth of a force 12 hurricane, and ended up 60 miles north of the Butt of Lewis, well on her way to the Faeroes. The crossing on that occasion took 16 hours.
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