Lorraine’s Corbett Round: Week Two of the Sailing and
walking the Island Peaks by John
Wow what a week! We all came together in mallaig and our
goal if we chose to accept it was to support Lorraine’s Corbett round and to do
whatever necessary. If only we knew what challenges lay ahead ;-).
It was brilliant to
meet up with everyone who we were to share the experience with. Lorraine being
the initial glue helping the group to bond it was clear everyone would get on
like a house on fire. This was optimised by the fact I asked Lorraine ‘’how
long she had known Graham’’ (our brilliant skipper) to which she replied ‘’just
one week’’. This ability to engage with people is rare and amazing mirrored
throughout our journey with all we met and at times people who helped us.....
This aspect proves that the highland and island hospitality is still alive and
well and long may it continue!
The trip its self had
many thrills and spills, from technical problems with the boat to extreme
weather on the boat as well as the mountain.
All seemed to get solved with a cup of tea or on occasion with a wee
dram and in the most part with smiles on our faces! The memorable moments for
me are of the a windswept day code for ‘’shite’’ on garve bhein (skye) I
sneakily feel that everyone was thinking that it was no place for man nor beast
and maybe we would fall at our first hurdle but no one would maintain this
thought for long but instead the attitude was to battle on even with folks
getting blown off their feet. In my mind this determination was the ultimate
metaphor of the Lorraine’s immense undertaking and something I am in awe of!
Secondly the crack on the boat this kept moral high with
everyone playing their part and bantering through the various problems that
needed to be solved.
Finally the joy of
sharing the final Corbett of the islands An Cliseam (Harris) where the mood was
high and sun was shining. The perfect finish to the walking on the islands and
it felt like a party on the mountain side with Lorraine emitting a glow of a
satisfaction Caz, Wendy, Katie and now joined by Izzy our local guide ;-), and
on return to the boat was the ever present smiles and humour of Paul and Graham
greeting us back with good food and tales to share. Now looking back we have
had awesome times and feel privileged to support something so immense if only
for one week.... On and on the Corbett round goes and in aide of a great cause
that touches all of us.
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