What happened in 2018

Monday 8th I had arranged with Magnus for a lift out on Wednesday, but the forecast is horrendous. So as it was quiet I decided to give it a bash. I'd spoken to the winter storage and they could lift Shard at 16:30 if I could get there. I set out through the channel and as I was approaching the Appin light the wind suddenly got up to around F5-6. Even flat out on the engine our speed dropped to around 1 and a half knots even at times. I decided to give it 15 minutes and see of things showed any signs of moderating, but in the end had to turn and motor back to Linnhe Marine.

Tuesday It was so grim that I stayed on the boat all day, I'd left Bob at home thankfully. Reading and drinking tea.

Wednesday There is a break in the weather, so in a fresh breeze Shard and I set off for Loch Nell. It is dry and mostly sunny, we sustained a speed of 4 knots and although there was a bit of wind against tide bumpiness around the Appin Point buoy, we successfully got to Loch Nell. They've installed a further two mooring buoys so even tho' there were two other boats expected there was a mooring for each of us. The moorings are a bit exposed to the south, so it was bumpy, but I brought the dinghy on board and settled in for the night.

Thursday The day dawned, the wind died. The liftout call from Magnus came at 07:10 and there was plenty of water at the end of the slip. All went smoothly and Shard was on her cradle by 08:30.

It was a great season, I met a great many interesting folk and the crew at the top of the pontoon at Linnhe Marine with their banter made going ashore with Bob an entertainment in its own right. There is a video here.

Roll on 2019!

Friday 5th October Glenn and his niece (Anna) arrived at Connel Ferry at 13:30, I collected them by car and it was up to Linnhe Marine and the work boat brought them out. Anna is on a European tour, you can see her blog here. So we hoisted sail for Balnagowan island to catch the seals. Ryan has a fleet of creels out there in the north bay, and the mooring in shallow water was occupied by a dinghy so we just drifted about for 10 minutes or so. The westerly wind we'd enjoyed on the way up had backed a bit so we had to motor back. Pork steaks for tea, some whisky was consumed and then a wee visit to the pub.

Saturday 6th October Off to Port Ramsay, in a very flat calm. Good for spotting porpoise, and the seals on the islets at the entrance. The boat Grafix has gone probably for the winter so we got her moooring and went for a walk ashore. Picture postcard perfect in the sun and light showers. Back to the boat for around 15:00 and across to Loch a'Choire. We had a booking in the Boathouse for 19:00 ... it might be dark on the way back. The ambience, service and food were all superb as always, the only downside was that Hollie the chef still refused to sail away with me to the Caribbean despite Glenn's best efforts to persuade her on my behalf. Getting back into the dinghy (with the broken outboard pull cord) and the row back in the dark was ... challenging.

Sunday 7th October The weather had changed. Quite a fresh Southerly wind, and rain. The seas were moderate, so Anna stayed below and we motored, sailing would have been less controllable and more uncomfortable below. Lorna was coming by car to pick them up so Davie was appointed water taxi to take them off, we'd have been soaked in the dinghy.

Hope you enjoyed yourselves folks and have fond memories of your trip, thanks for the whisky and the meal!!

September weekend So a quiet period in terms of visitors, a couple of jaunts to Loch a'Choire. Reading of books including Bob Shepton's Addicted to Adventure. His boat "Dodo's delight" is moored at Linnhe Marine. The weather has been "mixed" with the equinoctial gales blowing through. Helene came up for the September weekend, the weather was lovely, and we had a wee surprise visit from Elizabeth and Ian who were in the area. Reading books while the wind howls in the rigging, with the heating on. The number two battery needs replacing I think as it is not holding its charge, but the heating comes on as long as the engine is running for the heater to spin up. There is a wee gallery here, but you know the season is near the close when the Eider duck appear.

That was the week that was So a week or so with just Bob for company. Practised my standing turns, spinning the boat in her own length to the right. Using the prop walk and prop wash. Clever trick! Oiling teak, cleaning out dog hairs and a wee jaunt to Loch a'Choire and the Boathouse at Kingairloch.

There is a short video here.

Sunday So it turns out rearranging stuff on Shard needs to be done with caution, particularly if it involves large lumps of metal like tins of dog food or tins of teak oil or even a fire extinguisher. Located under the chart desk is the fluxgate compass which drives the autopilot. Once things were put out of the way and the compass re-calibrated, by steering the boat in circles at a speed of less than 2 knots, in calm weather on a slack tide. Helene's expert helming skills and Tom's sensitive throttle control achieved this. So the autopilot is now in service again.

Thankyou, long suffering wife!

Monday A day trip! The ladies arrived around 11:00, Shard was alongside waiting, with a step on the pontoon even. Life jackets fitted, it was off to Loch Corrie. Motoring in a flat calm, porpoises spotted! Auto-tiller still not working so, depending on Old Blind Holli (that's her pirate name) for the steering!. Moored up and Tom and Bob went ashore for a comfort break the ladies stayed aboard. Then we set off back across after a wee lunch of cheese and tomato sandwiches followed by a wee pastry. Holli dived downstairs for a wee nap leaving Tom and Robina to sail... yes! the wind had got up enough to pop out the foresail. Back in through the channel and back to the pontoon.

It was great to see you two again, see if you can't get that man of yours Hollie, to come up sometime, now you know where I am. Yes Robina I'm a lucky man!

Investigating the autopilot... rearranging tins of dog food and teak oil under the chart desk where the fluxgate compass lives ... well now I know where that is, what that is, and finding out I had one at all is another lesson learned. What I need is a visit from the wife to swing my compass!

Friday James, Catherine and Helene arrived around lunchtime, in the posh merc! I got the workboat to bring them out. The usual orientation chat, a wee sail out round Shuna, and back in in time to meet Ryan, of "Our Christine" for the Langoustines. They were fine as always a bit bigger than usual so there were only three each. A bigger order next time. Wasn't sure about Helene's tinned asparagus. Went down the pub for a pint?

Saturday Went to down to Port Ramsay, very low tide. Tom did an excellent job of ferrying Sir James ashore. Back to Shard for lunch. Booked into the Boathouse (or so I thought) and with a bit of a breeze set off for Loch Corrie. The auto-tiller is acting up. Managed to get our usual mooring. Ashore and along to the restaurant... no they weren't expecting us, the Boathouse at Constarry were. Oops. However the Boathouse Kingairloch didn't let us down and managed to fit us in. Food and ambience were enhanced by a couple of bottles of house red.

Sunday A leisurely start and back across the loch, to set them off down the road.

A lovely weekend, enjoyed your company folks come back anytime or
even better send me your weans!

Monday Waiting "patiently" at the top of the pontoon were Iona and Gillian our guests for the next week. We were considering a circumnavigation of Mull. They'd brought so much grub that we had to bring Shard alongside to load up. Then off to the mooring. We went for a wee orientation sail, then as the pub was shut we ate aboard.

Tuesday Set off to Loch Aline, motoring down to the Sound of Mull in a SW breeze. Then attempting to sail, but the fresh breeze we'd motored into died down and we had to put the engine on. Helene was persuaded to take the tiller and bring us onto the pontoon. The girls fended us off and Tom jumped about a bit and we were safely in. A visit to the shop, and dinner of pork and lamb. A game of cards then bed.

Wednesday Helene took us off the pontoon, the stern kicks to port in reverse. Safely out, its out into the Sound of Mull and new ground for us going up to Tobermory. A mix of motoring and sailing, an uneventful trip up the sound and motoring in to pick up a visitor's mooring. Some knotting practice, and into Macgochan's for a bite to eat and a wee drink. The forecast is windy for tomorrow, so we might have to revise the round Mull trip.

Thursday Yes it's windy. So windy the dinghy took itself away for a trip to the pontoon, Blue Damsel had caught it and announced it on the radio, but as we were not listening we'd missed the call. The next boat over was just departing and very skillfully went over to Blue Damsel to retrieve it for us. Dinghy retrieved ashore with Bob. Breakfast, and decision time. Our friends who were departing returned, it was too rough for them in the sound so we decided just to spend the day in Tobermory buying stuff. Colouring books, specs, sandals and a spare chimney for the paraffin lamp. Alongside the pontoon arrived Alba Venturer, which Tom had sailed in the Clyde with the OYT. Also in town was Capricorn, with Keith Scott and his son. So counting, Shard that's three boats Tom had sailled in harbour. Coming back from the shopping another boat full of Swiss folk had lost their dinghy... so Tom set off to assist. A round of applause and a bar of chocolate was the reward.

Friday Well the crew have to be back by Sunday, so its back to Loch Aline today. The wind has lessened so we're hopeful of a sail, but of course its blowing up the Sound and the sea is lumpy (wind over tide). Tried a bit of sailing, but the crew are not happy so its engines on most of the way. Back into Loch aline to a mooring this time. Ashore for a couple of walks and then off round to the Loch Aline Hotel... strange place, bar looks a bit dodgey, the dining room was OK tho' and so was the food.

Saturday Still a bit breezy and somewhere in the shuffle the dinghy painter broke and we lost the dinghy (again) Radio on and there is a call from Stornoway coastguard. A navigational warning on Ch 67 about a grey dinghy proceeding up the Sound of Mull at speed. So Tom calls in to confess to being the owner, the dinghy gets recaptured by Osprey, who is proceeding to Dunstaffinage. The radio's fuse blew. The forecast is for the breeze to freshen to F9 later in the day so we're not for hanging about. Its back to Linnhe Marine and we'll take the car down to Dunstaffinage, to get the dinghy back. Alongside at the pontoon, into the car, down the road, stopping in at the Pink Shop for a bottle of wine for the Osprey. Call in at reception, cute French girl directs us to Osprey, alongside the pontoon exactly in the spot we were in last year when we had our collision. The chaps were very pleasant. Carried the dinghy up the pontoon and out to the car, deflated it and put the thing in the boot. Back up the road and a steak tea is booked in the Old Inn. (Gillian's fish looked nice too). Back to the boat.

Sunday A very noisy night, but the boat was steady enough. Walk the dog, breakfast, and then the ladies are leaving me. The weather forecast is too wet for Helene. The BBC reports that the Coastguard were busy last night, boats dragging achor and going aground in Loch Aline, Port Ramsay, Loch Feochan and Puilladobhrain. A good call to come into our home mooring.

What an adventure, not boring, but the crew's knots, dinghy and boat handling are all improving.

The video is here

Saturday Matt, Margaret and Helene arrived about lunch time on Saturday. Unfortunately the Boathouse in Loch Corrie was fully booked that evening, so we took off for Port Ramsay. Out through the channel and we got a bit of sailing in. Not many seals to be seen, but it was a good sail. We decided to go for the big rusty buoy for our mooring so Tom took the tiller puting Helene into the dinghy. After nearly losing the dinghy and a few aborted attempts we succeeded. A bite to eat then ashore for a walk round to the pedestrian ferry port. We got back just in time to find the dinghy afloat. Safely back aboard, Matt cooked us up a lovely chillie.

Sunday Booked into the Boathouse for a Sunday roast. So we set off for Loch Corrie, capturing the mooring on our first attempt. Quite a few boats coming out of the loch... it had been busy last night. After lunch we inspected the walled garden, Bob stayed on the boat.

Monday Off back to Linnhe Marine and after a wee walk to view the castle, Matt and Margaret set off down the road. Our next "crew" were sitting waiting to board.

Its always a joy to share Shard with some of your favorite people!

The video is here

Monday The ladies arrived in the afternoon after a somewhat circuitous route (John o'Groats and Lands end) We had our briefing and adjusted the split new life jackets to fit. Then we headed off across the Loch. There was a wind so we hoisted the foresail and put it to good use. It was a Westerly mostly and was fairly howling out of Loch a' Choire. The restaurant was closed, but we used a mooring anyway. (eventually... was it 4 tries?) Lasagne made with quorn mince, thanks Fi. The whisky bottle took a bit of a hammering, and a game of cards.

Tuesday Set off for Port Ramsay in not much wind at all. There is a nice new mooring buoy, but it was occupied the middle yellow buoy has a pretty deadly looking bit of rope off it, but we secured to the buoy using a pair of warps, with only a little difficulty, from the boat. Ashore for a walk round to the foot ferry terminal in the rain. Got back just in time as the dinghy was afloat. It was pizza and left over lasagne for tea. Then a short shufty onto Eilean Ramsay to empty the dog. Washed up dead seal pup on the beach.

Wednesday Again not much wind just a case of motoring past the seals and back to the marina through the channel. Back on the mooring (First time, this time Alana!) by noon, and they left with clear directions!

Great to see you ladies thanks for the whisky, wear those t-shirts with pride! Come back soon!

The video is here

Friday Helene decided to pull a sneaky visit, cracking weather and forecast, so that was nice.

Saturday The boys eventually arrived, someone was late! Life jackets and a briefing and off for a wee sail, foresail only back in time to go to the pub, after some of Keith's allowance. Great stuff that Brew Dog!! After the best steak in the world we walked back and more drink was taken. Helene was keeping order, but some how some ear biting took place.

Sunday Set off for Port Ramsay, and had a wee walk ashore after Hamish secured us to the mooring buoy. All too soon it was back to the marina, and they were off down the road

Great to see you boys come back anytime and for longer!

The video is here

Tuesday Elizabeth and Ian arrive at Rose cottage and walk up the road to the marina. Shard was on the pontoon so boarding was easy. After a wee bit of briefing we went for a motor round Shuna as there was no wind at all. Back in the marina, we had a wee refreshment while waiting on Ryan to turn up with the prawns. One of which attacked Ian, drawing BLOOD! Still the prawns were very tasty.

Wednesday Motored over to Loch a'Choire as we had a lunch booked at the Boathouse fine platter of meat and a double platter of fish. Much enjoyed and washed down with Arran blonde. It was so hot we had to eat indoors! Back in the boat and across to the marina, Old Inn at 19:45 for more beer and the best steak in the world.

Nice to see you Ian and Elizabeth, thanks for the gifts, maybe get a sail next time!

The video is here

So a wee hiatus from the boat. The weather was a bit dodgey anyway... storms and rain. Hamish and Katie went down to Manchester and needed someone to look after Fergus and Izzie. Back up to the boat on Thursday.

Friday Tom has been here all week and the fine weather continues, but there is a distinct lack of wind. The MacDonalds paid a flying visit in Telo. Helene and Iona arrive about 18:00, and after a couple of refreshments, we head down to the Old Inn as Iona didn't get her steak last time. Our table was booked for 20:00.
Saturday The plan is to go down the west side of Lismore (motoring I'm afraid) and anchor around Bernera for the night. First time for some doing an over night anchor, but the weather is settled and the wind is light. We picked the south bay as it has more room and we anchored in 7 to 8 m of water with plenty of chain out (40 m!) With the tides being neep(ish) we should never have less than 5 m under us. Anchor set Tom and Bob head for a wee beach on the Lismore side and visited Achadun castle. Pork steaks for tea. Seals for entertainment, we would have had pictures from the good camera, had we a memory card in it.
Sunday After a peaceful night, skipper and purser in the forepeak, it was easy to check every couple of hours that we hadn't moved and the depth finder was left on with deep and shallow alarms set. The guests took off for some dinghy practice to the shore, and the farmer moved his sheep across the passage between Bernera and Lismore. Then we set off round the bottom end of Lismore, current noted but not too bad. We had the chance to sail for a bit, back up the loch with the wind at our back. The tug Goliath, towing some fish farm bits, kept us on our toes. Just at Eilean Dubh the 2 knot rule was invoked and we put the engine on for the last leg. Helene at the helm most of the way. The ladies left at the back of 15:00 and peace was restored after a visit to the Co-op in Ballahulish. The video is here

Iona, Rachel and Meg The lovely weather continues and Shard waits on the pontoon for the girls to arrive. They eventually rock up at the back of ten. Off to the mooring, some drinks and making plans.
Saturday A leisurely start, an award of t-shirts to Meg and Rachel who are the latest members of the SSS club, and a wee trip round Shuna, no wind really to speak of. Then on the way back into the marina from the North, we encounter "Our Christine", Ryan and his Dad with a puckle of prawns. The deal is struck then its back to the mooring for some cooking. What a laugh that was... Rachel juggling flying prawns. All cooked up and eaten, we set sail (yes sail) for Loch Corrie, country music and an expert mooring pickup, Meg on tiller, Iona on the boathook, where we have a meal booked. The Scallops and Black Pud starter was particularly good. Thanks girls! Dinghy to and from the Boathouse.
Sunday The girls didn't fancy going to kirk, so we motored down to Port Ramsay, where Iona got in the dinghy and secured us to the big rusty buoy, with barely a ding in Shard. Just a scratch. Dinghy to the island and a wee walk among the flowers of Lismore. Bob was very lame so it was a slow stroll. All too soon its back to Linnhe marine, where we dinghied to the pontoon and they were off.
I hope you three ladies had as much fun as I did, good food, good company and good weather, and as always you are more than welcome to return anytime. Here is the video

So... The weather is lovely, warm dry and sunny all week, with a steady Easterly breeze. A lovely week for sailing, however... There is a trip to Carronvale to pick up the President's badges, there is a trip to the Doctors to get the blood pressure checked, the gas man is coming to service the boiler, and its Helene's birthday. Then there is a BB meeting on Friday night and a family BBQ on Saturday night.


Then from Sunday I'm FREE!! hope the weather holds.

Monday. So its just Bob and I. The weather is set to steadily improve which is good as I forgot my rain jacket. The bluebells are starting to appear, the wild garlic is out. The canada geese have chicks. I bought some t-cut, and car wax.

Tuesday. Started cleaning the cockpit with the t-cut to remove the teak oil stains, and also going round the hull. There are quite a few wee dings and nicks that probably need patched with epoxy. Walked the dog, went to the pub. The "boys" Nick and Davie are puting in a power of work launching boats, and attaching addition "fingers" to the pontoon.

Wednesday Decided to phone and postpone my doctor's appointment, the weather is just glorious, dry and sunny. Although there were a couple of light showers around lunchtime. In the morning I got the power drill out and using the power socket on the toilet/shower block drilled out the bolt holding the tiller onto the outboard. Started with a fine drill bit and stepped up. After lunch I got some help from Paul and his tools to tap a new thread into the engine, with a "new" bolt from the box of bits. All sorted by about 15:30. Just need to be gentle with it. Removed the 'leisure' radio, as the SoundJam works fine. Then thought the wire running to the port speaker could be repurposed to power the final light in the saloon. That works. The over all effect is great in that the old ugly speakers are away and the cludge that was the radio is gone.

Thursday. The weather is glorious again. A bit more polishing a coat of the demon white paint on the gas box, a quick varnishing of the tiller to clean it up a bit. Then down the road back of lunchtime. Bob is a bit on the lame side, had to increase his dose to threequarters of a tablet. BB display tomorrow night. Totals for awards, video to do etc. However, just the mainsail to sort out and the boat is in fine fettle for the season... until something else breaks ;-)

Saturday. Arrived at the boat around lunchtime and there was Helene. She'd managed to get aboard, find the keys, get the electricity on work the lights etc. AND find the wine. Decided to top up the water and someone managed to fill the bilges!!! After pumping out we set sail across to Loch Corrie where we had a table booked at the Boathouse. Two bottles of red wine, a meat platter to start, a venison steak and a rack of lamb. Superb at £75. With a view to die for. Back to the boat which had run out of gas.

Sunday. Back to Linnhe Marine... no wind to speak of. On the hunt for gas, Gunn's garage (Appin) was shut, the campsite office at Barcaldine was shut, but the camping shop/garage at Benderloch was open. Bacon roll at Ben Lora Cafe & Bookshop, then a wee stop off at Sutherland's Grove at Barcaldine to let Bob stretch his legs. Lovely spring woodland and the burn was high due to work up at the reservoir. Back at the boat we decided to motor down to Port Ramsay on Lismore. There are two old mooring buoys there so we tied up to one. Somehow Tom ended up drifting off in the dinghy... literally without a paddle or outboard. Rescued by a passing dinghy as they were heading back to their anchored boat. A lesson learned? Pork chops for tea. A lot of seals.

Monday. Very still, no wind a lot of fog and mist. Went for a walk ashore, what a beautiful place, loads of primroses, a few bluebells starting to show... very "Katie Morag". After a late lunch headed back to Linnhe Marine. Moored up... Helene on the engine, then off to the Creagan Inn for tea as the Old Inn's kitchen is closed on Mondays.

Tuesday. The weather forecast isn't so good so Helene decides to head down the road, a lazy morning and nothing much done. The Jam Bluetooth speaker seems to work well and as the mobile signal has vastly improved in the area, it might be possible to ditch the old car radio weather forecasts are available from the NavText and VHF, so that might be a plan.

Wednesday. Windy getting and then the rain came about 11:00. Tidied up the boat and decided to head down the road myself. More pictures here.