A walk around the Greenock Cut

Once we had done our morning chores, hand over Julie's office to the
landlord, buy my brother's birthday present, (see Keith we haven't
forgotten), buy a new car etc. We had a bit of time on our hands so
we arranged to meet the Chief Engineer from the Isle of Mull, Brian,
at Greenock and we went walking in the hills.
The first half of the walk is alongside the Cut which was designed to
bring water down from the resevoir Loch Thom down the hill, so it is
nice and gentle with a very gradual incline. Fantastic views all
around the Clyde Estuary and again a beautiful day, not too warm with
a gentle wee breeze.
The return is on a service road alongside the main reservoir and the
compensatory reservoirs which are like the overflows. About 7 miles
all round so we slept well last night.
Thanks to Brian for showing us around and buying us a pint at the
Point afterwards.

Sailing with the Margarets

Our two new found friends from the Lanzarote trip came along for a wee
circumnavigation of the Cumbraes on Wednesday. Cracking day, with
just enough wind to keep us going but not too much tipping!

Back from our voyages

We have been away for three days and strangely enough for Scotland experienced wall to wall sunshine with wind, sometimes maybe a little bit too much wind. But then yachtsmen are notoriously fickle and generally never happy with what is presented weather wise.  Julie and I sailed to the new marina at James Watt Dock in Greenock where we were offered a free trial berth for the night.  Good place, sheltered, easy access with all new pontoons and most facilities.  At the moment, as you can see from the photo, plenty of spare berths but I'm sure that it will be successful in due course.

On our way downriver we passed this large vessel alongside at Ocean Terminal, this was the second large passenger ship in two days.  We sailed on to Troon where David joined on the Sunday morning.  We then had a spirited sail across to Lamlash on Arran where we anchored for lunch before a speedy sail back to Largs in North Westerly 4.  Bit of tipping and wall to wall sunshine, a rare combination of sun and wind!  Over 80 miles for the weekend.

Greenock bound

After a gentle wee sail to the new Marina in James Watt Dock at Greenock we met up with Walter "charts" and had a good meal at The Point. Now to beat Julie at cards; just like on the ship no TV.

Heading North

Not a bad day so we are heading upriver to the new marina at James Watt Dock to stay overnight, should be there by late afternoon.  I rang to check and there is a bonus that berthing is free overnight!  I'll call my Greenock chums once we are in place to see if they can pay a visit.

Lousy day for some

On our return from Craignure I could hear the local lifeboat and the
Coastguard discussing a nautical casualty. It wasn't until we were in
Oban Bay that we could see very clearly the fishing boat Gleaner hard
aground on, colloquily know as, the Isle of Arran bank. Low water
isn't until 15:30 so he won't be going anywhere until this evening.
Apologies for the quality of the photo, the iPhone camera isn't up to much.
Post script.  The vessel was re-floated at 20:00 this evening and moved back alongside under its own steam.  Here's a link to the BBC news http://goo.gl/VKIY3

MS Athena

This Portugese cruise liner anchored off the entrance this morning and
her lifeboats are busy takng passengers to and fro from the North Pier
in Oban.
An old ship built in 1946 and somewhat notorious as under a previous
name the Stockholm she was in a collision with the SS Andrea Doria in
1956, which resulted in the later sinking with the loss of 46
passengers.
Does anyone know why they have added those sponsons down at the water level at the stern,
looks very odd. I assume something to do with stability but if anyone
knows for certain it would be interesting to find out

Oh crap!

Cal Mac regret that due to a truck getting stuck across the forward
entrance off the vehicle deck the Mull Service is running about 1 and
3/4 hours late tonight.
No one died, and there were only two people on board wanting the
train, so they are now on a taxi to Glasgow. And we are very sorry.
This low loader is coming back with a huge digger on the next run
tonight, hopefully a bit easier the next time.

Around the harbour this evening

There are a few of the Tall ships passing through the area at the
moment, a few are berthed at the North Pier and of course we have our
local fishing boats.

Apologies

To all the ladies and gentlemen that were being hassled on the PA to get to their cars on this afternoon's 16:00 run to Criagnure, our apologies. The man who was supposed to unlock the doors to the car deck, had a senior moment, and forgot to open them up.  We often have drivers that appear to be lost but not a whole ship full.  And before any of my readers point the finger, no it wasn't me and I promised Jimmy Dixon I wouldn't tell anyone who was responsible.

View from the cabin.

We have been treated to a number of fabulous sunsets in the last few evenings.  This was the view from my cabin last night when we were tied up at Craignure, if you look closely you will see the 10 trillion midges that were out and about at the same time, looking for a small blood donation.

MCA visit

We had a wee visit, i.e. one crossing over and back later in the day, from our colleagues in the Maritime Coastguard Agency.  I know the surveyors from my Waverley days, they work in the Gourock office and one is well known about the ports and harbours, his turban and grey beard are quite distinctive.
It was quite fun to watch and listen in to the Captain dragging out the paperwork and fielding the awkward questions.  As a humble deck officer I am merely a cog in the machine and not concerned, anymore, with such important matters.  Made me quite nostalgic for my previous work, do I miss it?  No, not a bit.
Incidentally, it was picked up that we were not making our daily Radio Log Book entries correctly, so a non-conformity has been issued and we shall have to take immediate steps to rectify this serious breach.  :-)

Weekend activities

Saturday's are always busy, every trip was full of cars mainly.  I believe that the majority of holidaymakers leave their hotels and holiday homes and change over on the Saturday hence the high numbers.  We were having to turn away people all the time as there just wasn't room on board for any more vehicles, for most that will have meant a two hour wait until the next time we are back but even then they can't be sure as the ship is fully booked every trip. It is only down to the skillful directions and planning of the ship's crew that we are able to cram in a few more cars than that theoretically possible.  ( he says modestly)

Today, Sunday is a real contrast with none of the sailings full, indeed loads of room sometimes, it's a pity that things can't be spread out over the weekend.  Anyway I like the Saturday's as they provide a bit of a challenge and the day flies by.

We had a wee treat today when the Classic Malts Cruise departed from Oban after doing a parade of sail around the Bay and then heading out to Tobermoray and their second distillery visit.  Of the 60 odd yachts involved I would say nearly half seem to be foreigners, mainly Scandinavian but several American and French.  There was the odd smaller British boat in there amongst the Malo's and Hallsberg Rassesy's.

Still settled weather here, fortunately we haven't been experiencing any of the fierce thunderstorms and flooding that has been hampering the golf and flooding the good folks of Edinburgh. Makes a change mind.

Rain and mist

Back on board today, all sober and keen. Rained all the way from Glasgow and got heavier the closer I got to Oban, as they say it keeps the dust down.  

Horror of horrors the satellite TV that we have beamed into our cabins isn't working properly!  What are we going to talk about if we don't have Eastenders or Coronation Street to watch and comment on?

Don't even have the radio over in Craignure, changeover to digital! I think they would be happy to get any kind of reception over there.

Fantastic weather

Not long back from six days away on Tarawa.  Didn't venture beyond the Clyde but why would you when the Kyles of Bute must be one of the most scenic sailing waters in the world.  Last night, Saturday, it was a tad congested with the Kames Hotel moorings all occupied as was the anchorage at Blackforeland Bay with four yachts in situ.  Normally we have it too ourselves.  The little south facing bay on Bute, opposite the Kames Hotel, was empty, so we spent a very quiet night there in 9m of depth a few metres off the beach and rocks.  Woke to the sound of gulls, oyster catchers and sheep all up and about at 5:30.  

Fantastic weather, but here in Scotland you can't have sunshine with a good breeze, well not very often, so quite a lot of motoring as well.  Back to the big boat on Wednesday.

Sailing with submarines

John, Lynne and I are just back from a few days sailing around the
Clyde, in glorious, well most of the time glorious, sunshine. As you
can see from the photo still having the drink problems with the crew.
Interesting new vessel servicing the Trident submarine, the Eva that
appears to be a personnel carrier. Not sure why there is such a large
bow but it goes at a fair old lick.