Touch at anchor

I had been a qualified RYA Coastal Skipper for four years when in 1989 we chartered a Rival 34 from Armadale on Skye with the intention of sailing round the island.

My crew consisted of two women and three men: the first mate, Barry, was a former colleague of mine from Dundee University who had significant sailing experience. He and his wife, Cathy, had been on a couple of other Scottish charters with me. Another friend, Bob, from Dundee Sailing Club was also there with his wife. The final crewman was Graham, who was more of a mountaineer than a sailor. Which turned out to