PROGRESS REPORT NO. 20 Tuesday October 11th
Off Donegal Bay.
The Caledonian Canal cuts across Scotland, conveniently cutting out Scotland's most northerly mainland part, Cape Wrath, aptly named.
We followed the canal, independent of the wind that blew and the rain.
In Fort Augustus we listened to singer David Holt. In Corpach the mantle of snow on Ben Nevis grew thicker as we waited for better weather. We excursioned to Dundee to see Scott's ship 'Discovery', and Tom visited his grandfathers grave in Perth. Paki O Malley is 63 years buried there, far from his native Achill.
Yesterday the weather relented and off we flew, past Glencoe, Oban, Mull and Colonsay, into the night.
At five this morning the lighthouse of Inis Trahull off Inishowen, welcomed us home, glorious to behold , flashing three times every 15 seconds.
Today we've passed Tory, Gola and Arran, with the high ground of Muckish and Errigal behind.
The wind is freshening from the north, a following wind at last.
Tomorrow, DV, we'll take the top of the tide into Westport about 1 pm.
The journey that began on June 23rd, 2001, the North West Passage and the Russian North East Passage, a Polar Circumnavigation, will be done.
When the dust has settled, we'll write a final piece.
Ben Nevis from Northabout
The Discovery
First visit for many years
