HOME WATERS: HOME TO SCOTLAND

Having cruised the Med for four years, Graham and Kate Walker return to Scotland and rediscover the joys of sailing in UK waters

- Graham & Kate Walker

After four years away from home, the English coast was finally in sight. It was time to celebrate – but it was teatime, and we were underway, so we baked some scones and put the kettle on. Just as they came out of the oven, crisp and golden, a voice came down the companionway. ‘We’ve got company.

They look official and it’s not on AIS.’ Popping up to check, there it was: the grey hulk of a military-looking vessel approaching us quickly from astern. Before we knew it a fast rib detached itself and in minutes a very serious-looking team of men and women were alongside and boarding Barracuda – no questions asked. Welcome aboard Border Force.

They inspected, quite thoroughly, the boat, our papers and our stories, with frequent radio checks back to the mothership. They were polite but firm and stayed with us for about half an hour: the freshly made tea and scones might have had something to do with that. When the all-clear came they were off as fast as they arrived, having effectively checked us back in to Blighty. Home at last – well, almost!

Newly retired, we were bringing our Ovni 395 Barracuda of Islay back from Turkey to the west coast of Scotland after four years in the Mediterranean. We had transited the Med in the autumn before laying Barracuda up at Port Napoleon for the winter. In the spring we re-commissioned her and then, sending the mast ahead by truck, enjoyed a glorious month crossing France to Le Havre with our friends Bibi and Steve.

For us, the voyage home was a welcome trip down memory lane, but for Bibi and Steve it was all new ground; we were in no great rush, so decided to revisit some of our old stomping grounds in the English Channel before heading north.