An Easterly Wind

So here we are one week in . We are still on the boat and we have not sunk yet. In my book that counts as a success.

We have had a week of easterly winds, which is unusual in the west coast of Scotland. At this time of year it makes it cold , sunny and gusty .  We have had a couple of gales, but in the main it has been good weather. (Rather foolishly, I forgot that it would be near freezing at the start of April, I’d always imagined us sailing away in shorts and t-Shirts!)

First stop after Tarbert was Campbelltown, for those devotees of Parahandy, this is the “Campbelltown loch I wish you were whisky …..”  It was blowing a good force 8 when we were there.  We like the way the waves are captured here in Jenny’s picture ( it was still blowing 30Kts )

But just to show you how exotic Campbelltown really is you do get palm trees ( I did promise Jenny that I would take her to sunny sky’s and palm trees ( Job done on the first week I think!) (I didn’t expect it to be hurricane season…..)

We went for a wander up behind the town (recommended by the guy who looks after the marina – nice guy, drove me up the road for Gas for the boat and a paramedic in his ‘day-time job!) , never been on this walk before (normally we spend our time in the best Nickel and Dime shop in the world. Seriously, its the size of the average B&Q and sells everything from diamante dolphins and Cannabis Lolly pops to 3 foot long adjustable wrenches and that bolt you have been looking for for the last 20 years and can never find). (I have to limit the purchasing to no more than 5 items or the boat might sink)

Talking of finding things, Jen found some interesting plants, and thanks to Kim identified them as Skunk Cabbage which is an invasive species apparently.  Looks spectacular.

 

The view from the hill top was excellent.

We felt well protected for the sail around the Mull – not one, but 2 of the largest class of UK lifeboat parked at the back door. You should hear these things when they start up.  It is like the biggest Harley Davidson ever! Must also be one of the nicest sounds in the world when you really need it.

Campbelltown is still very much a working harbour with Fishing boats and logging.  They also have a factory for building the blades for windfarms here.  They get loaded onto large ships (one was in when we arrived) and I guess they get taken directly to the farms.

 

Campbeltown is also the location of the oldest working picture house in Scotland. I like the roof. (we were too late to catch the film of the day but it was something recently released, just can’t remember what)

Friday Night is movie Night.  Yes that is 3 glasses .  One with Whisky,  one with some Nuts and one with some pain killers for my bad back ( knackered it polishing the boat, but getting better) (that’s his story!?!?!)

 

Leaving Campbelltown.  Scotland is littered with these types of light houses. They are beautiful and functional although all unmanned these days.  Nearly all the light houses were designed and built by four generations of the Stevenson family

 

We had fantastic weather for going round the Mull. The one advantage of the easterly wind is that the tide we needed and the wind were both going in the same direction.  Wind against tide is never a good thing.  in sailing terms it is nails down a blackboard.

Stayed at Gigha in Tarbet bay ( it is on the east side so we figured would give most shelter).  Apparently it is where the queen used to like to come in the Royal yacht.  We tested our new anchor sail ( stops the boat swinging around) as it was gusting to nearly 30 Knots .  At 4.00 am an alarm went off.  I thought it was the Anchor alarm, but turns out it was a low voltage alarm.  I had a suspicion we had an issue last year with one of the batteries.  So we decided to head for a marina in Ardfern to see if we could source new battaries.

 

When we left Gigha it was still blowing 25 knots so we had an exciting but chilly sail.

The sea was a fantastic colour (any suggestions where the colour comes from? Usually only that colour on really sunny days or when you can see the white sandy bottom)

We also had the odd shower ( time for Jenny to drive me thinks)….

We managed to track down the original supplier of the last set of batteries in Glasgow and Thanks to uncle Tim, he went and collected them, then came with the kids to help fit them.

As we had some time and the weather was good we thought we would try out the electric conversion on the Brompton folding bikes.  Had a couple of good rides and only one puncture and a broken connector to show for it  ( I count that as teething problems) and, maybe, something to do with the fact that we tend to use the bikes both on and off road

 

Then off towards Oban and through Dorus Mor and up the sound of Luing

Staying in a nice anchorage called Puilladobhrain.  Probably the best known anchorage in the west of Scotland. Always too busy in the middle of summer, but only 3 boats in tonight.

 

Off to Cross the Atlantic now…..

Cheers all

Andy and Jenny