Best not to anchor here.
The passenger ship departed the Bay with about 5 lengths of wire hanging of their anchor.  I think some of the local fishermen have found a cheap way to dispose of unwanted fishing gear.  Probably best to avoid anchoring anywhere around there in the future.

The arrival of the Passenger Ship Albatros in Oban Bay has caused some consternation amongst the Cal Mac Captains. It isn't really quite the most convenient spot for our ships to arrive and depart from the ferry terminal. We are having to ask him to swing out of the way each time we arrive and depart.
Big ship to come into the Bay at 177m long and over 20,000 GRT.

Not another sunset!

Well, yes but it could be a picture of the car deck with happy
passengers going about their travelling as we transport them to and
fro on this vital lifeline service, but the sun setting over Mull is
much more picturesque.
Where was all this weather when we went out to Barra in a Force 8?
Unfortunately we also managed to scoop up someones creel line that
night, as it is wrapped around the starboard stabiliser fin and
doesn't want to come off. It must have been then as that is the only
time we've had them out for months.

Stormy seas

Quite a change from our usual routine as yesterday afternoon we headed off west to Castlebay on the Island of Barra.  Rather than our usual forty minutes crossing to Mull it took us 5½ hours to reach the Outer Hebrides, a bit longer even than the  normal timetable as we managed to find a gale on the way, so it was a rough old crossing.  Unfortunately some of our passengers were a bit unwell and one or two of the regular crew, who are more used to the placid waters around Oban.  Once in Castlebay it was a quick 15 minutes alongside and we were off back out again bouncing around the Minch. 

We were taken off our usual run so that the Clansman, which has an open vehicle deck, could do the Coll and Tiree trips and carry the maximum amount of livestock to the sales yesterday.  Having an enclosed vehicle deck we are restricted in the number of animals that we can carry on here as the ventilation is not adequate.

Interesting to see Castlebay, some of you may have seen it featured in the TV programme an Island Parish, apparently it has had quite an effect on the tourist trade this year.

Raffle Prize winners

Emma & Kirsty

Way back in January 2009 we attended a charity dinner, as a raffle prize I put in a day sailing on a luxury yacht with champagne lunch, yes I know, second prize two days sailing etc. Kirsty the winner, didn't get into touch until earlier this year to claim her prize and yesterday we finally made it.

What a terrific day, more than enough wind and the sun shone on us all day. A quick anti-clockwise circumnavigation of the Cumbraes with a stop over at Millport for lunch.  Off back to work on Wednesday, so this was a great way to end my leave.

Edinburgh Festival visit

Off to drink in some of the culture of the East Coast. While walking around the streets we are handed flyers of the hundreds of shows that are running over the month. This is just a selection of those that we kept.
We went to a Best of the Fest preview and based on that went to see a completely different show with this amazing Australian duo.


Never thought that you could get that much emotion out of a puppet.
As it says not for Kids. Here's a link to a You tube
http://youtu.be/2UCuOZUENpM

Visit to Norway

Earlier in the month we flew across to see Keith, Kris and family in Risor.  Thank you to Ryanair for providing the on time flights and the opportunity to buy Duty Free, Car Hire, Scratch Cards, Hot snacks, Hotel Rooms etc. on the flight over.  If anyone does fly to Oslo (Torp) with Ryanair it is about 2 hours by bus south of Oslo proper.  The bus fare, being Norway, is about the same price as the flight.
Of course their two children Eva & Felix have grown up since we last saw them, Eva is in the business of replacing teeth and Felix is getting fed up of little old ladies stroking his hair.   See photos for the reason why.
It was great to see them all again, here are some photos Risor .  People over there are still coming to terms with the tragedy that occurred three weeks ago on the Island of Utoya.  It is still on the front pages of the newspapers with much speculation about reasons and possible collaborators.  There is considerable concern that Breivik may be killed in a revenge attack and that there is already a price on his head.  

Thanks to Keith and Kris for looking after us and picking us up at the airport.

The Dark Side of motoring

After 5 years the old Ford Focus had been giving me some cause for
concern so unfortunately it had to go. We were in a shop across the
road from a car dealers and nipped in to have a wee look. An hour
later and a test drive up the motorway I am now the proud owner of a
Skoda Yeti.
For those of a technical bent, it is the 2 wheel drive 2.0 litre turbo
diesel version and in Muscovado Brown.
All jokes about Skoda's on a postcard please.

Report from Risor

I am out East in Norway visiting my brother and family.  The rioting and financial woes of the UK seem a long way away from here, unfortunately I am heading back tomorrow.