Kicking my heels in Oban

[DaveS]

Its always the dropping the loop over the cleat that gets me - everyone makes it sound so easy

I must confess that my semi-permanent system uses spliced loops with hose pipe to hold the loops open. Still a bit tricky getting it onto the cleat using the boathook, though - I've a tendency to trap the boathook (which has one of those stupid ball ended hooks) between cleat and loop. Better than a hook would be something that could grip the loop firmly and lay it over the cleat: I've wondered about getting one of these extended gripper gadgets designed for picking up rubbish...

[PembrokeshirePromise]

I had breakfast yesterday next to this boat called "fair winds" ...

Then pottered down to Loch Melfort - and ended up anchored there in a nice sheltered spot. Having looked at all the severe wind warnings - it looks as if the centre is going to pass almost directly over us (no wind at the moment) so we may miss much of it - though tonight is looking windy again.

I was thinking yesterday morning that maybe Nick had stolen all the wind in Barra - but looks as if he has left a bit for everyone else - especially if you have just set off on the round Ireland race ...

Best wishes
James

[PembrokeshirePromise]

Dave,

Its bound to go horribly wrong - because I even noticed that they have 2 different length pontoons at Oban - and made up one for either length.

That amount of preparation can't go unpunished

Thanks
James

[Nick]

James,

I take it from your post that you were anchored in Balvicar Bay last night . . . did you come ashore?

Sorry we missed you.

[PembrokeshirePromise]

Hi Nick,

No - didn't spend the night - just popped in after coming through Cuan for croissants and a paper. Hadn't been to Balvicar for many years so I thought I'd take a refresher - lot of building going / gone on.

Kathy kindly sent me your tel - but Orange is rubbish round here - and I thought if you were just back on the midnight ferry from Barra you probably didn't need cyber stalking

I'm just killing time this week really - so will be pottering back up to Oban in the middle of the week at some point - so might call in again. Are some of those moorings in the entrance visitor moorings - is it OK to just pick one up - or do I need to call into the boatyard there ?

Anchoring room for 2m keel looked tight - and CCC wasn't overly enthusiastic about slate holding.

Best wishes
James

[Nick]

.
The yellow moorings belong to the boatyard. They used not to charge for the first night, then £10 a night - but I am not sure what the surrent situation is. Just come in and pick one up and I am sure Mike will be out to see you if he wants some money.

Bottom of the bay is mostly thick mud, not slate - good holding, and most of the old mooring debris was cleared out a few years ago, but would still use a tripping line.

Give us a ring if you are back up this way.