On a pontoon in Peterhead......

I stayed today. Was going to leave until Jim, the Harbourmaster, told me that the inshore tidal streams were the opposite to what was shown in 'my book'. It was, yet another, 'Hamlet moment'. I sat down, on the step to Jims office. As I gazed out at the view before me, despondency was an understatement ; miles from home and becoming more and more allergic the the 'flippin' sea, everyone 'down south' bigging it up about the lovely weather. Anyway, as I put my head in my hands, seconds away from weeping, a chap walked up from a boat that had turned up near me, overnight. He was also travelling on his own but, unlike me, had just sailed from the Shetlands, in a 40 hr marathon. Lovely chap and gave me loads of tips re the next sections. Together, with further advise from Jim (ex lifeboat coxswain for 30 yrs) I may have been 'saved'. A real pick me up. Thanks, Guys. 

With the knowledge that I was staying today I wondered into town, looking for a phone shop to try and find out why my iPad has stopped. Turns out that I have, mysteriously, used up all of my data allowance and have since been charged at a rate that equals £117 instead of the £ 7 I'd signed up for. After a brief bit of deduction...... does anyone that has travelled with me, recently, spend 2 days watching golf online ? Sam, keep your head down !!!! X

Back to 'the outer reaches of the pontoon'. Aside from the chap from the Shetlands, the Japanese couple, Hiro and Kako, could not have been friendlier. Even bought me a home cooked supper ! They left tonight, bound for Eyemouth. I hope to be there in a couple of days and look forward to seeing them again. 

 And to complete the 4 boats, now on the outer ( visitors) pontoon of 'explorers', a smallish boat, with 2 German folk, turned up this afternoon. Spoke with them and it was a father and son who'd just got here after a 6 day, non stop trip from....... Iceland ! I promise never to moan again ( although I reserve the right to be scared and homesick, on occasions)

And finally, I think Ive discovered a factor in causing my melancholy mood, of late. I've had trouble getting anything on the ships radio so have resorted to pushing the seek button. It seems that I have been listening to the Country and Western channel for the past 3 days. Bloody hell, as anyone listened to the words ? Must have soaked into my soul. Glad ive sussed it but actually hilarious despite the fact that the psychology, probably, is spot on. 

Ps The suns out, up here and..... big day tomorrow. I'm going sailing.