Seafari

Went down to Ellenabeich on the Isle of Seil this afternoon, an historic slate mining village I’ve blipped before. It’s often wilder down there but today it was wilder in Oban. Sun and showers alternated.

It didn’t stop the Seafaris to the famous whirlpool, Corryvreckan, it’s said to be the third largest in the world. It lies in the strait between the islands of Jura and Scarba. As one boatload of adventurers returned in their colourful wet weather gear, the next lot were lined up on the pier, ready for off. Rather them than me.

In 1947 George Orwell almost drowned in Corryvreckan. He was staying on Jura to finish his book 1984, when he took a few hours off to go out on a boat trip with friends and his 3 year old son. On the return trip, he must have misread the tide tables and steered into rough seas, almost driving him into the whirlpool. The engine sheared off with the force of the whirlpool and they had to resort to oars to get away. The force of the waves suddenly subsided, saving them from drowning and giving them chance to gain a rocky outcrop. They were still not safe - the boat capsized when they attempted to disembark. I imagine that was a bit close for comfort, for them all.

Late Edit.
For some reason I didn't paste the rest of this story yesterday, perhaps the most important part! The Orwell party was rescued by a passing lobsterman.