Our recent guests, Ian and Fiona Woods, sent in a lovely review of their recent cruise. Ian mentioned that the cruise gave some spectacular highlights but for him the encounter with the humpback whale on the return leg was amazing but even better was the sunset off the Cairns of Coll. The evening meal had just finished when Skipper Bren came to announce that the sunset promised to be spectacular. Ian spent a good hour on the top deck photographing the beauty of the sunset and became aware of something special as Zoe, Hannah and Bren remained on top. There was total silence as they reflected on the profoundness of the scene. Both of those episodes led Ian to compose 2 poems which he read on the final night of the cruise - much to everyone's enjoyment. With Ian's permission, we publish them here so you can enjoy them too.
Whale Song
I see you Traveller
Sailing through my life
On your short journeys
You glimpse of me
Just fleeting moments
Enough, I think, to bring pleasure
But my journeys are long
In the deep ocean
Without the borders you create
Sometimes, you will see me
Leap high into your world,
Into your memory, into your dreams
When you are far from these seas
I will still swim through your life
You will never forget me
Sunset – Cairns of Coll
It is one thing
To hear just the lapping of waves
And the cry of seabirds
As the sun sets on the
Cairns of Coll
But nothing
Prepares for the moment
When clouds are thrown aside
And the light blazes forth
Like a warrior in death throes
And this is special
This commands silence from the watchers
The daily dying of the light
Piercing individual hearts
There is resurrection tomorrow
Always believe it loved ones
Hi Emma - Thank you we had a fantastic time and its probably the best holiday we have ever had. We couldn’t fault the boat or the crew in any way and the only worry we have is that the bar has been set so high its difficult to know how to reach it never mind beat it again. However we will be back to cruise with you again as it was so good. I have to mention the crew we had, they were all, without exception, absolutely brilliant . Having Hannah with her knowledge and enthusiasm was a real bonus and as my wife is the real wildlife fan it made it for her, she spent so much time up on the bow with Hannah and a couple of the other guests I thought she wouldn’t come in for meals sometimes. However the draw of Mags meals did bring her in and it was excellent. I don’t know if we were lucky with the guests but everyone got on very well and it made the whole trip very enjoyable. Thank you so much for giving us such a fantastic experience.
K McKechnie: 1 July 2024St Kilda and the isles of the Outer Hebrides