Our sailing boat, Each Mara, is afloat, after a winter on the hard standing at Lochinver harbour. It's an exciting moment, when she hits the water and we hope that all the sea-cocks are closed and the engine goes. All went well, and when the wind dropped away we got the sails on, then took her out for the shakedown trip: a quick circumnavigation of Soyea island. The only things not functioning perfectly were the two rusty sailors and the depth sounder - but I have a plumb line. All will be well.

I know I should really post a photo of the boat, but as her name means Walrus in Gaelic, this tusked Old Gentleman will do for now.

Fair winds, as they say.