Tuesday 20th October

We were unexpectedly busy today, with a full Ocean Discovery trip followed by a full Bay Discovery. It seems a lot of schools are doing half term this week and even for two weeks. Lucky things. It started off mirror calm but the forecast south westerly breeze soon started building. We saw a couple of seals around the island before heading out to the middle of the bay where kittiwakes and gannets were feeding with lots of guillemots and razorbills – no fins though. Heading south west, we were accosted by a small group of common dolphins, first spotted by a passenger, and which gave us some lovely views. A short while later when we were sailing towards the coast another group joined us and this time they stayed with us for a decent spell, weaving and criss crossing in front of the boat as  we sailed. It was a really lovely trip.

The breeze built over lunch and by the time we headed out for the afternoon tour sea conditions were getting pretty lumpy. First one reef went in the sail, then two. As we were wrestling to do that, a large group of common dolphins swam past, again spotted by one of the passengers, who shouted “A fin!” Because we were immobile while putting the reef in the sail, it seems the dolphins decided we were too boring and they swam off inshore a little. With the sea building all the time they gave us the slip in the waves, but everyone on board managed to see them. Back at the island we saw two seals swimming around in the surging white water, completely unbothered by the swell!