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.