To Orwell Today,
re: READER RENTS BARNHILL

Jackie:

It's been almost a year since I promised you this picture of the Corryvreckan Whirlpool. It was taken on a calm day in mid-May 2005.

Despite the British navy's classification of the strait as being unnavigable, fishing boats were plying the strait all day long. I'd nearly given up my hopes of capturing evidence of the mighty whirlpool when this perfect circle simmered to the surface.

Hope all is well,
Peter Sibley

Greetings Peter,

Thank you immensely for emailing that incredible photo! It amazingly does show the whirlpool as "a perfect circle".

After reading the story about ORWELL'S CORRYVRECKAN WHIRLPOOL I had been planning to hike there after VISITING ORWELL'S BARNHILL but my husband won out and we put it off until "next time":

"...As we left through the gate and up the path to the road we argued about whether or not to walk three more miles to the Corryvreckan whirlpool. My husband was adament that we wouldn't be doing it, saying that "three plus three equals six" and his soccer-injured heels couldn't take it. I had sympathy and relented and reluctantly we turned around. But by that time we were at a perfect vantage point for a picture of the view looking north toward Kinuachdrach, Orwell's nearest neighbour, and beyond that the Corryvreckan Channel and the island of Sarba...."

But I know how long these "next times" can be and even if and when we do return to Jura (and rent Barnhill) the timing has to be perfect to capture the whirlpool. You were blessed by Orwell to be at the right place at the right time!

All the best,
Jackie Jura