'When I rounded Cape Wrath'

I had been concerned about rounding Cape Wrath from the time I conceived the idea of sailing round The British Isles. It has a fearsome reputation and even the name is enough to put you off. As it turned out we rounded the cape in near perfect conditions. We left Kinlochbervie in very light NW winds and slight seas, with full main plus the genoa, with the engine on to keep our speed up. Before we reached Cape Wrath the winds dropped to zero, and the sea became gentle ripples. We were still doing a steady 6 - 7 knots, over the ground due to the tide. Lots of blues sky and sunshine. 

It didn't last. We were picked up by the fierce tides and whisked along at nearly ten knots (SOG). The seas built becoming rough and confused making it difficult to tell where

the next wave was coming from. Once round the cape, away from the rip tides things did settle down, however a sea mist rolled in reducing the visibility to under a mile. 

David, the harbour master at Kinlochbervie, had recommended that we make for the bay at Talmine, after rounding the cape, rather than my planned stop at Loch Eriboll. This turned out to be sound advice as the provided mooring buoys are very secure. The entrance through the Kyle of Tongue was worrying, as great chunks of very solid rocks were revealed out of the mist. 

But from now on I will become the yacht club Cape Wrath bore. Whenever someone else remarks that such-un-such was a bit choppy, I will endeavour, at ever opportunity, to slip into the conversation, 'When I rounded Cape Wrath'.