Long Trip page 2


	This page updated on Thursday 5th August at 11.30.

Skipper’s Journal Oban cruise by Alan Pemberton. Crew Cecil Lunn 2nd Officer, Hilary Fett Victualler, Sue Hockland, Danny Strkie and Carole Crankshaw.

Saturday 20th June

We set off in cool but sunny n3 -4 gusting 5 run including a MOB practice under engine. Cuan Sound provided its usual exciting if short passage with a fair 2kn tide. The Ardinir Anchorage was a delight with its very narrow entry . Dinghy ashore and a lovely walk across Luing island. After dinner with the sun setting we watched an otter fishing in the kelp and feeding on the shore under the watchful eye of a great black backed gull - amazing.




		Hilary and Carole’s stroll on Kerrera’ss W coast.



	Cuan Sound, Carole checking for overfalls




	Hilary, the artist at work in Ardinir Anchorage




		What the artist saw.

Sunday 21st June Ardinir to Tinker’s Hole via Corryvrekan 38nm

This was the big one demanding critical watch of the tidal gate and weather by the navigator Cecil. Corryvreckan , with the last of the westerly ebb, despite the SW2, proved to be a pussycat. However , as we left the Gulf , over falss with their associated white horses were apparent and definitely building in the increasing WSWer. The run to Tinker’s Hole with F3-5 gusting 5 on the nose was motor sailing but by the time we were at anchor in this delightful narrow rock channel the sun was out and snother charming evening enjoyed. We had planned to put a line ashore but as none of the other boats had we decided not bother. Big mistake; always go with your instincts - we swung in the night and at 2.30am had to re-anchor.




		Gulf of Corryvreckan




		Danny in contemplative mood

Monday 21st June (mid summer) Tinker’s Hole to Bull Hole via Iona

A warm sunny day with just enough gentle breeze, perfect for sight seeing on Iona. We all visited the Abbey with its amazing green marble altar mined on the island. Bolt Hole, at anchor with the requisite tripping line, provided the perfect setting for a Alan speciality mid summer BBQ. We were watched over by a pair of young eagles either perched on a rock high above us or lazily chasing away gulls. My view is that they were just checking the progress of the bangers and chicken wings.




Green Marble altar at the Abbey Iona



	BBQ at Bolt Hole cooking on shore and left Cecil and Danny eating on board.



		BBQ regarded with interest by a young eagle and left the loo with a view




				Freyja at anchor in Bolt Hole

Tuesday 22 June Bull Hole to Arinagour via Coll Staffa and Trehnish isles.

S-SE2-3 and a bit grey. Just a bit too much swell to land on Staffa. The lunch anchorage in the Treshnish Isles was great. Unfortunately, for our run ashore to see the puffins the weather closed in with a light drizzle. It didn’t worry the 100’sand 100’s of puffins who just sat and delighted us as close as 3 or 4 feet away. A run ashore form the mooring in Arinagour enabled hot showers and relief from our strict wet wipe regime.




		Approaching Staffa and Fingal’s cave on the right

	Wednesday 23rd June Arinagour to Tobermory In the morning some hired bikes and toured the island noting the wonderful sandy beaches on the west coast; cafe-latte in the hotel; others just caught up on board. The run across to Tobermory gave us the first real chance of sailing in the SE3-5 breeze. Good fun despite the grey clouds, poor visibility and drizzly showers. Danny topped off his first creditable attempt at navigation with a stonking corned beef hash. Mull provided another magic evening with the pretty pastel painted harbour houses lit up by the setting evening sun.



Friday 25th June Port Ramsay to Kerrera Lismore island is much greener than those we had so far encountered and provided a contrast for our early morning sortee ashore to visit the small church at Clachan with its medieval remnants built into its walls and the arched ceiling. The picture shows the ladies returning to Freyja. Our final run to Kerrera for refueling and maintenance was under motor with the tricky pilotage by Carole round the north end of Lismore. The warm sunny day and evening topped off with a sea food meal ashore was a super end to a fantastic cruise




	Puffins observing the arrival of Freyja and the tourist boats Trishnish Isles



		Cecil with a back drop of Tobermory harbour

Thursday 24th June Tobermory to Port Ramsay The morning for some was designated sight seeing but the task for Alan and Cecil was to sort out and clean up the over night blockage of the heads. I now more fully understand the intricacies of joker valves and flap valves - I wonder why its called a joker valve. the SW 2-3 wind was funneling down the Sound of Mull and we had a lovely goose winged sail before the dying demands of Hilary’s careful pilotage plan forced us to motor sail xo as not to be too late for our final anchorage in Port Ramsay.


	Finally a memory for the winter, Port Ramsay


	Monday 5th July

I received a message from Freyja on Monday. She was at Rothesay on Bute in the Clyde. The skipper David Crofts says the weather forecast is grim but spirits are high and they feel like the boat in the picture.

At Rothsay there are some beautiful Victorian urinals that I have a picture of and will post if I find it fairly easily. You are charged for the privilege of a viewing. The crew were also taken with the notice to the loos.


	Oban to Troon June 26th to July 4th a report by Brian Barnes

Ferry at Kerrara

However the visit was successful and we continued our journey just as most boat crews were going up to the bars to watch England play Germany in the world cup! Our intention was to find an anchorage that night that would protect us from the strong southerly winds and we settled for Loch Tuath on the western side of Mull.

Picture right Tobermory

Picture below Loch Na Keal

Iona

Under blue skies we sailed down the Sound of Iona, settling for a night in Tinker’s Hole after trying out Bull Hole.

The next day’s route was to get to the Northern end of the Sound of Luing as the tide turned which was late afternoon, so we had a leisurely sail along the Firth of Lorn watching basking sharks, still under blue skies. We were aiming for Adrfern Marina which was to be our start of the Crinan Canal.


	The water supply on Kerrara was contaminated and as a result the preceding crew had not been able to top up the tanks and so our first task was to get to Tobermory to pick up fresh water. Before we got there we were to experience our first down our of the week. The rain didn’t seem like ‘ordinary’ rain, it came from all angles and at twice the speed.



From a personal point of view I wanted to visit Loch Na Keal which was immediately south of our over night stop and if we left at high water - before 7am - we could tip toe through the Sound of Ulva. We anchoured in Loch Na Keal fro breakfast and then made a leisurely start towards the south western tip of Mull, passing close to Fingal’s Cave.



		Fingal’s Cave

From the top end of the Sound of Luing to Ardfern was 10 miles. But what a ten miles! The first encounter is Grey dogs, an inlet into the Sound which was a bit bouncy. The second encounter was the Gulf of Corryveckan - the Alderney Race of Western Scotland - and finally we hit the over falls leading to Dorus Mor - Wow - these made the earlier rough waters a ‘pussy cat’, but they caused no problem for Freyja.

We left Adfern for the Crinan Canal the next morning and after a short trip got to the sea lock at Crinana to find the gates open and waiting for us. We were instructed in the operation of the lock gates for there are 14 gates and 3 bridges throughout the 9 mile stretch. The bridges and two sea locks are operated by Waterways staff but the rest was down to us. We stayed the first night near the centre of the canal and the second night at he basin leading into

Loch Fyne. On the first night in the canal it started to rain and continued for a good while the next morning which made for an uncomfortable few hours opening and closing the locks.




		It seemed you had to aim for the middle of this small entrance, build up your speed and then close your eyes. Happily it worked out OK and was well worth the effort. The marina was magnificent and surprisingly nearly empty, which was good when you counted the number of toilets and showers there were in the building. Still its a magnificent construction and well worth a visit, as is the restaurant. The place has only been open a couple of years but its reputation is so well known that booking is essential.


The Oystercatcher pub had been had been recommended to us and here we are off to the pub for lunch after picking up a buoy at Otter Ferry. It was well worth the visit as the food was excellent. After lunch we set sail for Portavardie towards the southern end of Loch Fyne. By now the skies were darkening and the last part of this trip was heavy in showers and mist which caused some heart fluttering when we saw how narrow the entrance was to the marina.



	Our last day of sailing was a straight run from Portavardie to Troon - a 7 Hour sail on Starboard tack albeit with varying wind speeds and reefing but what a way to finish a very interesting week. Well we thought that was the way to finish the week but Mother Nature had her own thoughts. Overnight and next morning we had F8 winds and heavy continuous rain!


	Some pictures from David Crofts trip received 9th July posted 11th July


	Repairing the sail to stop the battens flying out.

At Largs after having the sail professionally repaired.

David reports that it is mostly wet, very cold and windy.


	Sunday 1st August

Freyja moored at Bally Castle Northern Ireland is joined by Hilary and Philip in their boat Greylag.

The skipper on this leg is Tom Kittle, cruising from Bangor in N. Ireland to Holyhead Wales.


	Monday 2nd August

I have received the following reports from Tom Kittle via his mobile phone.

Rathlin to Donagahdee completed. An unusual event en route. Gannets normally fly away from approaching yachts. we had onw fly towards us, circle and land within 20 feet. As we drew away this manoevre was repeated. Eventually we took pity on the bird and fed it a tin of sardines as a thanks for the entertainment. We were traveling quite slowly at the time and think we were mistaken for a trawler.

Picture shows us moored in Donagahdee


	Tuesday 3rd August

Freyja moored off Strangford at 1600. Boat speed on entry about 5.5 knots but we did touch 10.00 knots SOG. Amazing wave patterns around tidal power.

Photo of Strangford

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