How about a sunrise?

Autumn is here and we are seeing the sun rise in the morning as well
as setting in the evening. So for a change here is the sun coming up
over the mainland as seen from Craignure on the Isle of Mull this
morning.

On the West Coast

Dear readers, my apologies if you have visited the blog in the last few days to find that there has been no updates.  I am lead to believe that one of the vital requirements for a blog to have and keep its readership is to keep a steady news flow so that there are new items to read, otherwise why visit?

Truth is that little worthy of printing has occurred in the last few days, I joined the Isle of Mull on Wednesday and we have been plying the waters between Mull and Oban on a daily basis with little of note happening along the way.  Just like trains and buses our customers don't want anything exciting to happen.  Turn up on time, convey us comfortably and safely to the destination and arrive on time is as much as is expected and we are pleased to provide this.  Unfortunately unlike my previous employment with Waverley, where each day provided a new anecdote with thrills and spills along the way, the Isle of Mull tends to be pretty predictable.

So it may be a trifle dull on here, but the view from the office window is often spectacular and our customers are happy and so should I be.  At the end of the month I am joining Waverley on the Thames for about 10 days so no doubt I will then have ample material to write about.

Weather again

It was my plan to lift the boat out the water tomorrow, but unfortunately the old enemy has got in the way. For those of you who understand isobaric charts you will appreciate that this synoptic chart for Monday shows a deep depression centred to the NW of Scotland with its associated fronts and closely spaced isobars, which predict strong and gale force winds over our part of the country.  So no lift out tomorrow, or the day after and gallons of water to fall out the sky onto us.  The joy of a maritime temperate climate.

Heading North

We, that is SWMBO and me, are heading north to the Highland capital of Aviemore for a Ladies Business Conference. I shall be using the hotels leisure facilities while the ladies network. Maybe one of those hot rock things? Then a dinner tonight, now I think I know how Denis Thatcher felt.

Racing Results


Euroyachts have published the results from our little fun race on Saturday, to confirm our 5th place out of 15, 5 mins and 21 secs from the first place.  Results  for the full results.










Based on our 7th place last year and continuing at the same rate we should be winners in 2013.
Some more photos at Gallery

Euroyacht Fun Race

Well the good news is that a Jeanneau Sun Oddyssey 37 won the 2011 Fun Race, this is an annual bash from Largs to Colintraive held amongst the Jeanneau owners. I own a Sun Oddyssey 37 but it wasn't my boat that won it was another entrant. A windy old day with a F4 southerly when we started at Largs which gave us a great run up the Kyles till about Rothesay. During the sail across, one of the other entrants, in a go faster Sun Fast 35 with fancy sails, decided to try and overtake me on the inside and maybe even intimidate me by coming so close we could have handed over a cup of coffee to him.

He failed and dropped behind, then the wind swung round to the NW and we were hard to windward for the last stretch up to Colintraive.  It was all hands to the winches and sheets as it started to gust up to 30 knots with us still carrying full sail.

Happy Crew on hearing the race
result

Things all got a bit fraught about half way up the Kyle with the boats all crowding together in the narrow confines when a little bit of shouting could be heard above the sounds of winches and flapping sails.

The result, well on the day at the picnic ashore the SO 37 was declared the winner with Tarawa coming in at 5th spot in a field of 13, so not bad, though the crew didn't take it too well.  

There was some dark mumblings about the No 1 result as some felt that the winner may have been a little "confused" about the start time. I understand that some of the official photos are to be scrutinised which will have the time recorded to confirm all is above board.  Thank you to the crew, Julie and Dave and to Angus Scott for the beer and nibbles. 

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. 

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.

Home to Glasgow
A two and a half hour bus ride back to Glasgow and I'm home again.  Good to be back in the dear green place.
We had a wee problem on the ship yesterday with the forward ramp, no pressure on the engineers but we arrived in Craignure with 60 odd cars all facing forward and the ramp wouldn't go down.  All eyes on the Chief Engineer as he struggled away to get the damn thing to work.
Half an hour or so later and we managed to get the cars rolling again.  Unfortunately the automatic system was defunct and it was 00:30 before it was back in full operation again.  Late night all round.

Back to Normal

I find that when the weather is good, as it has been the last couple of days, I don't enjoy the job on here as much as when it is overcast and wet.  I think that it is my inbred Scottish sense of pessimism that knows there are only going to be so many good days in a Scottish summer and I would rather be on leave when they come about, than on here working and watching those lucky enough to have a fair wind and tide to sail up the Sound to Tobermoray, with a quiet night at anchor to look forward to.

Nothing to worry about though, back to normal today, strong easterly winds with rain.  I had some American visitors on the bridge today, unfortunately they were dressed for a North Carolina June day not the West coast of Scotland.

Across the Bay

It was such a lovely day today, which you would normally think would be great but I could only think about what a fantastic day it was to be to be out sailing.  The photo is of our ferry peeking through the rigging of the Jubilee Sailing Trust Lord Nelson.  There are also a couple of super yachts in the Bay and then we had an unexpected visit from the Islay ferry tonight, unfortunately the new vessel Finlaggan has broken down and blocked the mainland ferry port at Kennacraig so the other ferry came here to discharge and load up.

Half way through the week tomorrow, the second week always seems to go much quicker.  Busy days as ever nearly always full, so if you were thinking of travelling to Mull on here I would encourage you to book.

Oban Bay

Any more of this and we'll be starting to expect it every day!

Shock Horror!

I am very pleased to report that for the first time, that I can recall in the last month or so, there was no rain.  Indeed the sun has been shining since I started this morning and there has been a gentle breeze from the south.

Fantastic sailing weather, certainly there was plenty of yachts out and about today, all well behaved I must add.

Bit of an irony that on the day a drought order is announced in the East coast they have some of the heaviest rain in months.

On the water again

Hi Folks, Joined the Isle of Mull at lunchtime today and set off in the sunshine for Mull.  Seems that the number of passengers over the last few weeks is down on previous years, lets hope that things pick up. Maybe people are wondering if they want to have electricity & gas or a trip over the water, the cost of both isn't possible.

Casualty in Oban Bay

Apologies again for the quality but this is another of the three or so
boats being towed back to safety after breaking free from its mooring.

No sailings today folks

Anyone living in the West coast will know about the storms here today.  We managed a couple of sailings and got a bit scared coming back in on the last one from Craignure where the wind was up to a force 9.  It has just been decided that all sailings for the day are cancelled and we will resume in the morning.  We took over three coach loads of tourists this morning who were scheduled to return on the 17:00, not sure where they will stay as the Lochaline service to Mull is also off so there is no other way to leave the island tonight.

There are 23 of the Cal Mac services disrupted today, which is probably not that unusual for January and February, but May!

We have been looking across the bay to Kerrera Island Marina and the yacht Drum, owned by Arnold Clark has broken free of her moorings and ended up on the beach.  One of the workboats here in the bay has gone across to drag her off but I think they are doing more damage than good as she is now high and dry, lying at about 45 degrees over on her starboard side and this tug is trying to pull her away.  Even if they do get her off there may be damage to the hull that will cause her to flood and possibly sink.  Daft.

New vessel and the old enemy

The forecast for the day was spot on, the afternoon was brought in with stronger winds up to a gale by the end of the afternoon and then back to normal this evening.  Tomorrow is another depression, how well named, that is promising up to a Force 10 in the inshore forecast so we, along with most of the fleet are on amber alert.  This means that there is a good chance that sailings will be disrupted or cancelled.

The latest edition to the fleet M/V Finlaggan, arrived in the UK today and berthed at the North Pier here in Oban.  I didn't go on board but I gather it is quite luxurious inside.  Apologies for the rather poor photos, my iPhone does lots of good things but taking pictures isn't one of them.  Can't say the new ship has much in the way of character but then what do we expect?  I'm sure that it will be very pragmatic and carry lots of vehicles easily with good facilities for the passengers.  

We had a few complaining yesterday about the lack of room when they are parked on the vehicle deck.  I agree with them there is very little room between cars when we have a full load on board, to the extent we have to get all the passengers out first before parking the car with only the driver still in.  When the ship was built 24 years ago the lane widths were more than adequate for the size of car, nowadays, as anyone who has parked in a older car park will know, cars are far bigger.  It brings it home to you when you see something like a Morris Minor that was on yesterday, just how small cars used to be.

Only 2 and a bit days to go and I'll be heading off home. The time flies by, well sometimes it does.

Snow on the Mull hills

At 8 this morning, on our first run, I can see the white hills. Skiing season not over yet.

Day to day

Dear Readers.  Apologies for the lack of blogs since I joined a week or so ago.  It is a common complaint from my fellow officers on here that when they call home there is little to discuss about the day to day goings on aboard "Daisy".

I could tell you about the hundreds of bus passengers that we had today, some of which had been kitted out with orange baseball caps so that their guide could keep them in tow.  I was amused by the man who had perched his on top of his flat cap.  

The old friend, the weather is always a useful standby, and today was the best day since I joined.  Sunshine and showers but mainly sunshine so that was great, it certainly cheers you up.

The days pass quickly enough for sure, with so little time between ports there is no time to hang about to have our meals and get the planned maintenance done.  Well, we are getting a lot of people from one place to another on time and safely.  Craignure's gangway is now up and running so that has made life a lot easier.  Back home on Wednesday and then back on the water on Tarawa.

Statistics

Yesterday, Saturday the ship crossed the waters between Mull and Oban 13 times, covering 113 miles.  We carried 588 vehicles and 2907 passengers, running up to 37 minutes late at one point.  Pretty busy old day, still no gangway at the Mull end so all the foot passengers had to disembark through the vehicle deck.  This means we can't load any cars until the last passenger is clear which can take quite a while, hence the delays.  Still lots of heavy showers during the day, it would be good to have a day without rain, but I think that may be wishful thinking!  

Continued career

I joined the ship at lunchtime and we resumed the stately progression between Oban & Craignure, 100's of coach passengers doing day trips to Mull.

I have been asked to stay on here as the "permanent" third officer until October or November, hence the inverted commas.  I guess that nowadays 11 months work is pretty secure, anyway I have accepted the offer so I will be getting to know the waters around here quite well.

Trip's end

Tomorrow sees the end of my two weeks on board.  As ever I have learnt more about the trade and how the ship works.  Certainly I am a lot more confident about the job, in particular the loading of the car deck.  I find this to be the hardest part of the work as the navigation to and fro isn't too challenging, other than when the odd yacht or fishing boat launches itself at you on the way past.

I have loaded a few near or maximum cargoes in the last few days and it is quite satisfying when it comes together and everything gets squeezed in with the ship upright and of a reasonable trim.  The "lift" cars with their elderly occupants near the lift, the dangerous goods separated and no wasted space on the deck so that we were able to take all of the standby vehicles across.  Oh and on time as well.

Hopefully I'll be getting my own boat in the water soon and then I can keep you up to date with visits to ports other than Oban and Craignure.  

Sailing pals!

With the sun breaking out over the weekend a few of my yacht colleagues have been appearing.  I was overtaking one this afternoon on the way back to Oban, he was going to pass well clear down the starboard side when he came about and came across the bow passing a couple of hundred yards ahead of me. I would have altered round his stern but we were just at Lismore and Lady Rock.  I noticed he was looking up at me a lot as we slipped round his stern.  B****y yotties.

Off on the Tour de Mull

Tidal waters

Our passage between Craignure and Oban takes us past the very South
end of Lismore Island with its lighthouse and Lady Rock a distance of
about ¼ mile or less. The tidal range, that is the difference in
height between high and low water, isn't that great around here, it is
about 3 metres at the moment being spring tides and it goes down to
about a metre at neaps.
Despite the small range of tide the mainland and islands around this
part of the world cause this flow of water to be crammed into narrow
sounds and firths. This results in strong tidal currents, the most
famous around these parts being Corryvreckan which has its whirlpools
due to the nature of the seabed and the very strong tidal flow between
the islands at that point.
The waters around Lismore also have strong currents which we have to
take into account when steering our course to pass safely between the
Island and the rocks. I hope that you can see from the attached photo
of our GPS plotter two arrows, the blue shows the way the ship is
pointing and the red shows the actual course being made over the
ground. As you can see if you don't keep a good eye on the way the
ship is moving through the water then you would easily be swept up
onto the rocks. The strange thing is that at you approach the gap the
direction of the current goes right round so initially you are
steering one way to counteract the current then the other. As the
current hits the bow it actually makes the ship roll and swerve off
suddenly, not bad considering we weigh about 2,500 tons.

Aaargh!

Rain of Biblical proportions this morning, there was waterfalls coming down the side of the hill that I had never seen before.  In amongst this deluge I was in charge of loading up the car deck at Craignure, unfortunately the young lady on the shore's walkie talkie had become waterlogged & I couldn't make out what she was telling me about the vehicles ashore for loading.  I'd had a look and didn't think there was anything to worry about.

With just three trucks to load you will have to imagine my consternation when the third to last truck came down onto the ship and it had a trailer on the back making it about 21m long.  It came to a stop once it was a far as it would go with the trailer nicely blocking the entrance.  There was plenty of room on board but the two remaining trucks couldn't access it.  Fortunately the driver of the truck was able to back up and I had to call all the vehicle drivers back down to do a bit of shuffle about.  About 15 minutes late on departure combined with the gales and we never caught up with the timetable again.  Woops.  Everyone says that it has happened to them too.

Forgetful passengers

In the last couple of days we have had some notable & slightly strange events.  Yesterday a man was in his car about to leave the ship when he pulled over, I enquired what was the matter and he said he had lost his wife.  He waited a moment or two and then she duly arrived and off they went.  Another husband and wife, she somehow got locked in and he was outside the car, I wasn't there but somehow she eventually got out and they stomped off, clearly not talking. 

When we depart all drivers have to leave their vehicles and go into the passenger accommodation, before locking the car deck we do a check to make sure that no one is still in their car.  Walking along the line of cars today I came upon a brand new Toyota Land Cruiser with the ignition keys in place, and the engine still running.  

Every so often someone drives on and then forgets that they brought their car and gets off at the other end as a foot passenger leaving the car behind.

I find it quite encouraging that I'm no worse than many.

Scurrilous news

Should you oh reader peruse other publications, then you may have noticed in today's Daily Record there is a wee article about the CalMac ghost ships http://goo.gl/NDtQn  Apparently this may be true, that up to 800 trips in December were empty of vehicles or passengers, this is across the fleet of 22 vessels.  

Clearly this does not apply in the case of my present vessel the Isle of Mull that provides a vitally essential lifeline service to the good folk of Mull, many hundreds of them today.  We have carried out 14 crossings today with hundreds of passengers and vehicles, on time too despite the weather.  On the other hand I wouldn't be able to say the same for the good folks of Colonsay.

I don't know where the journalist who wrote the article got the figures from, but I wonder who in the head office, for that must be where they came from or the Government, leaked the statistics?  

Windy old day

It really does rain a lot here, serious organised got it together water coming down in torrents at 05:45 this morning.  A bit snoozy as the ship's generator broke down at midnight which made the emergency generator above my head click in automatically.  Not to sure what went wrong, but then neither are the engineers.

Day went well but then the wind got up and we spent a couple of hours alongside at Craignure pinned on the berth by a Force 8 coming down the Sound of Mull.  Back on again at 15:00 when the weather had improved.  Saw the Queen's sometimes passenger ship the Hebridean Princess at anchor in the Sound.  We had a coach load of German tourists on board telling us about their rough old trip across to Iona with the spray coming over all, amazed that they made it all.

Hitting the deck running

Off at the crack this morning to join the ship, well 8:40  seemed like the crack of dawn after three weeks off.  The bus driver had clearly taken time out from his Formula 1 career as we flew along up and down the hills, here's a hint it's best to get any reading over and done by Inverary, onward from there holding on takes priority due to the twisty road. 

Raining stair rods in Oban when we arrived, it keeps the dust down apparently.  Joined the ship on time and off we went back and forwards to Mull without much time to draw breath really.  Some complicated loads with large trucks and buses to take back from Mull, there are a regular stream of tar trucks going back and forward each weighing 30 odd tons when full.  Then the earlier drizzle and rain disappeared and the sun came out, which was great with the brown hills shining in the moisture.  We are spending the night alongside in Craignure tonight, the reason being that there is no berth available in Oban due to all of the Cal Mac boats around this evening.  Earlier in the day it was a bit of a traffic jam with three vessels arriving and departing at the same time.

7 round trips tomorrow, starting at 6:45 through to 19:45 back into Oban.  This is the way it'll be from now on this summer.

This is a picture of the ship's anemometer from yesterday, it is showing a reading of well over 80 knots, which includes the ship's speed, so the gust was over 70 knots.  We moan about the weather but when I see the pictures from Japan today, I can only be thankful for the little inconvenience that we suffer here with a gale of wind.

The Placid Waters of the Firth of Lorn.

Here's a photo taken through the bridge window on our way over to Mull. Our instruments showed a gust of 87 knots which includes 14 knots of ship speed so over 70 knots anyway. All the sailings bar this one were cancelled today. I'm on a bus now on my way home, looking forward to a beer.

Snow and tempest

Bumpy old night alongside in Oban now that the wind has gone round to the West.  Woke to snow on all the surrounding hills with a bitter wind coming down the Sound of Mull.  The high pressure area has disappeared and we are now back into a run of North Atlantic depressions, familiar territory for those of us who live here on the West coast.

We had a very successful day yesterday, carrying a thousand or so passengers and hundreds of vehicles over the 12 hours we were running our vital lifeline service.  Wednesday is changeover day so a number of the officers are off, but not myself who is staying on for a further day to allow my relief to attend an interview for promotion within the Company.

The inshore forecast is up to a Storm Force 10 for later today, all from the west or southwest. We are scheduled to visit Colonsay so we'll have to see how it goes.  The pier there is quite sheltered from that direction but you have to get there first!

Redemption

I was pleased to load the vessel up at Craignure this morning with a full cargo of vehicles.  We got all the booked and then managed to squeeze in the last 9 stand by cars so we sailed with 54 cars and about 7 commercial vehicles, could have taken on three or four more actually, so a new goal to pursue.

Nice run to Colonsay today, a new record there as well 11 vehicles going onto the island.  I brought her back going inside the Garvellaches and getting the benefit of the Great Race so we had about 3 knots of tide with us as one point.  All tied up for the night now at 5, unfortunately night on board for me so no shore leave.

I am staying on an extra day going home on Thursday evening now, after we have been out to Coll and Tiree again.  Early starts all round.

Weather forecast

I watched the weather forecast on Countryfile this evening and I see that our period of settled, and more recently dull, weather is nearly over.  The high pressure that has dominated things for the last week is to depart east and we are to go back into the normal run of North Atlantic depressions, with snow by Wednesday!

I knew it was Sunday today we had a steak for dinner, and Julie I only had a baked potato no chips.

Full but not down to the marks

Surprisingly the 4pm run over from Oban was very busy with cars about 60 of them, folk getting away for the weekend I guess, then I loaded up the 5pm back from Criagnure.  We had about 20 "white vans" and 25 cars to load with a furniture truck to finish off.  It became pretty clear to me that it was going to be a bit of a squeeze and before I knew it the deck was almost full and piling up to where I was standing at the entrance.  

I managed to squeeze in the last car and van but regrettably the furniture van had to wait for 2 hours until we returned.  Fortunately he wasn't booked and was on standby so there wasn't any comeback but with hindsight I can see how we should have got the crew to cram them in a lot tighter.  

The moral of this tale is that I still have plenty to learn.  Off to Coll and Tiree again tomorrow, very settled weather at the moment so it shouldn't to difficult.

Running around

The day started with the normal timetable across to Mull and then we did our scheduled run to Colonsay but then we went back to Craignure to pick up traffic there.  I had the watch taking us all the way up the East coast of Mull which was a first for me so quite interesting.  We then picked up folk in Oban that should have left 2 hours earlier, not awfully happy.  Tied up for the night in Oban and a lot of guys have gone ashore to watch the Old Firm game at the local boozers.

Daily routine

I wouldn't want to disguise that it is all fun and frolics here.  Today was a straightforward Mull run from 08:00 departure Oban until finish at 20:00.  Leaving from each berth on the hour thereby making it 12 crossings for the day.  Dante's purgatory had a level where men were subjected to constant repetition of their life, I guess our modern equivalent is Groundhog Day where the main character is destined to repeat each day ad infinitum. 

Well I exaggerate, and I've told you that a million times, but this gives me a good taste of what every day is like during the summer.  Which leads me on neatly to the news earlier in the day that we're going to Barra to overnight and then do a couple of days to Coll and Tiree again.  Which I thought was great, but not to all on board who consider being away from the home port as a punishment.  Unfortunately shortly afterwards in the day the Barra trip was cancelled, but we are still on for Coll and Tiree later in the week.