2011 Season Kicks off. 8th April

Another seasons starts with a great weekend. Dave (mate) lent me his spare van, which meant I was able to load ALL up for the boat and Gordon and Pete my generous crew, volunteered for another weekend of scrubbing painting, and abuse from me ( if they are to be believed :-) ) Considering I'd not been to the boat for months, our first day was brill all the big jobs done, including rigging boat sails etc.. Next day sun still out and we started on my 'list' ..sea cock lubrication ..exciting or what .. several hours later after cutting the boat up to reach a 'bugger' of a seacock that sheered off and had to be replaced and my arms being so bruised from working in a 10inch square hole that i'd looked like I had been abused! We rewarded ourselves with a Guinness at the wide-mouth frog pub. Next day we launched to be met with 36knots of wind and rain...Scotland for you !! And my boat now sits on mooring ready to go! Cheers G & P

Sept 25th - Linne to Puilladobhrain

Up the friday night with Gordon & Pete for a planned early start. But sun was out and wind was little so left later than planned,  in next to no wind. But got a opportunity to fly the cruising sail for the first time. Piece of cake, and great fun. As you can see plenty of blue sky, but with a northerly wind, a tad cool. Drifted around fishing off the end of Kerrera where I caught a couple of very small mackerel.  Anchored at Puilladobhrain. lovely sunny evening.  friend Dave Punton and his crew were at anchor there as well, and joined us for dinner. Head off next day back to the mooring

22nd August loch Corrie to Linne marine

Late start after a mega breakfast. Left loch corrie at 11 am for a lovely sail across to the mooring. Had a couple porpoise do a small display off the back of the boat.

I've added above a small something i pulled together of the trip with Kieran & Gerard

21st August Oban

Wind still about so went for a walk on Kerrera, very nice. Left Oban eventually at 13.00 with three reefs and a small hanky flying at the front. Still did 7 knots across to Lismore lighthouse. Turn north up towards Loch Linnie. Had a lovely sail as wind reduced. Pulled into Loch corrie, and grabbed a buoy. Lovely place, booked a meal at the boat house, which was very good, even though the rain came back for our transition from boat to restaurant.

20th August Oban - Trip with Kieran & Gerard

Started morning with no wind and still water. Motored out off linnie and past Port appin. Shortly afterwards let genoa out in 12 knts of wind. Wind picked up very quickly and coast guard announced force 7 to 8 plus due. So decided to head to oban. Rain and wind arrived visability disappeared! Got into oban and got place in marine. And not so long after did the sun not come out. Bizzare! Went over to oban for walk about,beer etc.. .saw this great yacht, you would think we were in the med!
Kieran bought some mussels which we had followed by curry!!! More wind has arrived ( nothing to do with meal!) can hear it howling out side and the waves are hitting the boat like a hammer. Hope I can get some sleep much creaking, slapping & howling and that's just the neighbours!