April 07, 2008 Word Count

I’m at 1,690 words for today so far. I’m done for the day but I have so much more in my mind to come out. When is comes it comes. If anyone is interested I need help with dialog and writing a scottish accent. This is Daivd destined to meet the current Graybeard. Here are about 700 words in todays draft. This is rough and written very fast with no reread.

 

David and Kit had been staying where heaven meets the earth at the Doune Braes hotel on the northern Lewis Island. The past 3 days and been wonderful filled with lazy sight seeing, hiking and some fly fishing for brown trout. They had been warned that on Sunday, the entire commercial infrastructure on the island would shut down to honor the Sabbath. This included the Doune Braes hotel and that if they wanted to eat they would have to buy up their food as no restaurants or markets would be open. They were also told that no taxis or public transportation would be running and if they wanted to drive their rental car not to drive to far because all petrol stations would be closed.

 

David over the years had developed and enjoyment for boating and sailing and went out in the open water when ever the opportunity presented himself. To occupy their Sunday they had contacted a commercial fishing boat to pick them up early Sunday morning and take them out for the day to do some Cod fishing and look for seals, whales and dolphins.

 

Sunday morning arrived and the off shore wind was brisk and steady. The boat was called the “Bonnie Lass” and docked at the Port Nis harbor waiting for them at the pier.

The Captain, Ian Malone, was 50ish thick set man with a full black beard and hair that hung down over his collar.

He met them on the dock and introduced himself saying, “Aay good morning to you. You must be Mr. Solomon. My name is Ian Malone and I am the Captain of the Bonnie Lass. Welcome aboard.”

David said, “Good morning Ian, my name is David and this is my wife Katherine.”

Doffing his cap to Kit he said, “Good morning to you mum,” turning back to David he continued, “The weather forecast is for a fairly nasty blow that will come late tonight so to be safe we will want to be back by early afternoon. The waves have a wee chop to them so you will need your sea legs today. But it’s a bonnie day and the cod fishing should be good and make for a yummy dinner.”

Ian helped David and Kit on board and showed them where to stow their carry on back packs. Once the packs were stored in the salon, Ian showed them around the boat. At the bow of the boat was a thin young crewman securing one of the mooring lines.

Ian speaking to David and Kit said, “This is Allan, he makes my crew today. I am short two men but we will be good for today’s fishing trip.”

Allan spoke up, “Eye Cap’n,  dunna worry abot a thing. Callum and Johnnie dunna like to work Sundays. I knows the buggars,” Allan stopped speaking embarrassed then continued sheepishly, “cuse me mum, I knows they aren’t in church.  We don’t need fair weather mates for this bonnie day.”

Continuing the boat tour Ian said, “Allan’s a good lad and gives the work of two men.”

Leaving the harbor David and Kit were amazed at the strength of the wind and movement of the boat on the waves. David had never been in seas this rough and was hoping that Kit would not get sea sick and ruin her day. David and Kit were with Ian at the helm as they passed by a lighthouse.

Ian acting the tour guide pointing said, “There is the Butt of Lewis and that is about as far north as you can go in the Western Isles. They say it’s the windiest place in the UK.”

David said, “This is a pretty strong wind. Are you telling me it’s like this all the time?”

“Ach no laddie. This is only a wee breeze; you don’t wanna to be out when there is a blow from the noreast.”  Ian pointed straight ahead, “to the west our there is nothing between us and North America except some wee islands.” Pointing to the right of the boat he said, “To the north is all Open Ocean all the way to the Arctic. Ahha och this is wonderful ehh?”

David and Katherine just looked at each other amazed.