BLUEMOMENT

I don't drink in Oban.

I would suggest the Oban Inn - it's the pub most yachties head for.

Kathy and Jill will have to head down to Craobh to join Avilion, as Dave isn't going to be in Craobh until late.

How is the cruise then going to rendezvous and where are we going? Oban and Craobh are a ways apart for a Friday start . . .

- Nick

How about the Oban Inn then, Mr Cruise Director?

Oban Inn it is then.
We'll wear a carnation between us just so's ye'll ken us.

We'll be out by Insh Sound by around 12 ish I would have thought so perhaps radio contact will be possible then if you were to be around the south end of Kerrera?

It seems to make some sense to head down to Colonsay perhaps - if the winds are light this week we may not get bounced around?
Colonsay Friday Eve
Tobers Saturday Eve
Hoos of the tumbling troosers Sunday
?

Hazard just asked about Corryvreckan.
Avilion and Claymore could get through - the tide starts to head through at HW Oban plus 4.10 so for us a slightly earlier start to get down there but a bit less for Avilion.
The equivalent of this post is also on Shufflebum.
If we were to go through then Shard and Silkie could meet us on the far side (Right in the middle of the Great Race!) and then head down to Colonsay. They might prefer to come through as well but that would mean an early start to get down through Pladda and that seems a bit of a nonsense anyway.
I've been bounced around in Colonsay more often than not so thats open to discussion.
If we were in Colonsay on Friday Evening it would open up either North to Mull or South to Jura/Islay on the Saturday.Perhaps this is a good topic for discussion in the Oban Inn on Thursday Evening?

Although it's a gey long haul from Colonsay to Tobers.

What about Bunessan as a possible? I've never been and I hear it has a pub.

Bunessan is a possibility although it isn't such a long day from Colonsay.
Tobers doesn't have to happen of course - we could always come back along the Ross of Mull.
If we only got to Bunessan on Saturday that would leave an easy day upto Tobers but then it would mean a long day on Monday with most having a long drive home afterwards - the tides are also going north on Monday afternoon so that stuffs us for Cuan and Pladda for a time.
Perhaps if we got to Colonsay we might be better going down through Islay Sound.
We'd need the wind to be down for a couple of days and the swell to be gone before either Corryvreckan or Colonsay are really tenable don't you think?
PS - I've lost your phone number Nick!

Finally reached a keyboard to chip in my tuppenceworth!

The weather forecast looks pretty good - maybe a bit light for good sailing, but preferrable to blowing a hoolie? If a circumnavigation of Mull was planned, it could be a good weekend for it.

I've been in the pub in Bunessan: in 1985, celebrating finishing the Munros. It wasn't up to much then (keg fizz, Formica tables and frozen food), but maybe it's improved in the last 20 years?

My experiences of Scalasaig have also contained much more bounciness than calm - there always seems to be some swell getting in. There is also the problem of where to go if the wavescreen is full. On the other hand Colonsay is well sited strategically, and the pub's pretty good...

I've been through the Corryvreckan a number of times W to E but never so far E to W. I must say I'd been thinking of first trying it at the end of a neap flood rather than the start of a spring! Would the slightly less adventurous (but still quite dramatic) alternative of going through the Grey Dogs appeal? There's little in it for distance, and it would let us keep north of the Great Race and avoid trying to rendezvous in same! Or am I being a wimp?

Anyway, I look forward to hearing the results of Thursday night's learned discussions!

Bunessan pub website is hardly rivetting stuff . . .

http://www.isleofmull.co.uk/

Have e-mailed them to ask what ales they have on tap and will report back as and when I hear from them.

- Nick

Although somewhat alarmed by mention of fully-occupied wavescreens, I am enjoying Colonsay's web presence. If this is to be Friday's destination Silkie will probably take the rhumb line from Oban rather than dallying in any tidal races. A big day proposed on Saturday (it wis ma ain doin', bummin' ma load aboot Silkie oan YBW) but definitely game for it with a favourable breeze.

Ah took yer tip an hed a wee peep in ra Colonsay Hotel.
Its awfy quiet in there!

phone: 01852 3002348
mobile: 07710 186079

Bunessan draught ales:

Kronenburg
Fosters
Miller
80 shilling ( ale)
Guniness
Guniness extra cold
Strongbow cider

Nothing wrong with the Ross of Mull, but a night in the Craighouse Hotel always appeals . . .