We had a fantastic run up to Tobermory on Friday, then took 6 hours to beat back down the 12 miles to Lochaline on Saturday in a solid 6 gusting 7. (Silkie took 7 hours for the same trip, and logged 24 miles through the water . . . ). Another breezy close-hauled run to Puilladobhran yesterday, then home to Balvicar in perfect conditions this morning. My keyboard-softened hands are now in shreds after all that tacking, but nothing broke on the boat and we gave the decks a good sluicing coming down the Sound, which removed most of the winter grime.
This year's Chentleman's Award goes to Bob and Erica (Aquaplane and Lady Stormrider) on Carousel, a 20ft trailer sailer. They couldn't get out of Tobermory on Saturday - or at least, they could but only to hurtle furiously and wetly from one side of the sound to the other with no Southward progress discernable. After two attempts they gave up, and finally left Tobermory at 5am yesterday morning. Apparently they got to Crinan twelve hours later, which is a remarkable performance for a boat that small in what were still very strong and gusty conditions.
Nice to have some more new blood in the form of Derek and Jane on Blue Shift, an amazingly tardis-like Westerly Falcon which Jane says they sometimes tease by calling her fat . . . a great boat for entertaining on though, and excellent hosts. Blue Shift foolishly carry their dionghy readyn-inflated on the transom, so Derek also did a fair bit of taxying in both Lochaline and Puilladobhran, which was vrey good of him and much appreciated.
Congratulations also to Scott, Dave's crew on Silkie, for staying the course and appearing to enjoy what was a bit of a baptism of fire . . . a seven hour beat in conditions at the top end of beatable for a Hurley 22 may not have been exactly what he was expecting. Hopefully he hasn't been put off small boat sailing for life.
So that's it for 2011 - the Chentlemen have Cruised once more, let the season begin.
................................................................................................................................Avilion
................................................................................................................................Shard
.......................................................................................................Silkie approaching Duart Castle
..................................................................................................Carousel on a mooring in Tobermory
..........................................................................................................Blue Shift passing Bach Island
..........................................................................................................Happy Hour on Fairwinds
