BLUEMOMENT

Less than 2 weeks to go until the annual misery of sleep deprivation and other pain. This year I believe a free Knox anchor is being given to any forum member taking part!
Again the boats are being forced to carry YellowBrick trackers and if we can persuade our runners to carry it, and they don't break it, you will be able to watch Contender and Marisca on the mountains as well as the sea. Despite rumours to the contrary Marisca did not sink off Islay last year nor did we go into stealth mode - the brick just gave up the ghost.
As at least 2 forumites will be cruising vaguely in company to Salen, Craighouse, Lamlash and Troon, does this make it CC2017?

marisca wrote: As at least 2 forumites will be cruising vaguely in company to Salen, Craighouse, Lamlash and Troon, does this make it CC2017?

That's a tricky one because traditionally the downing of decent quantities of alcohol are an essential part a CC. Perhaps if you all got legless in Troon - or wherever you end up - it was Campbeltown for us in 1984.

I've just finished arranging a replacement runner for the one who has damaged an ankle. All done now, and back on for the race.
I didn't do last year, so no yellow brick experience. Does that mean I can turn my AIS off and hide from the wife?

At least one boat will anchor at Salen with a Knox Anchor, might even fly a flag named like that!

Your wife will find YellowBrick watching is addictive. Make sure the runners carry it on the hills. Unfortunately it is no use to you at Craighouse or Lamlash as there is no xG signal so you can't use it to get ready for the runners there.
Have a look at http://yb.tl/sipr2016 for a replay of last year's race to get the flavour.

Thinking to use a handheld VHF for runners to wake us up from our slumber at anchor when they're approaching the pickup point.

I had followed your track on YB last year and did wonder what happened off south end Jura?

Marisca noted on AIS as heading south in the Clyde. Heading to Oban perhaps?

Aye, off on a few days cruise to Oban while the weather lasts.

Two times today I have heard Belfast CG "suggest" to a radio-check vessel that they should first contact a nearby vessel or a marina and only then if there is a problem ask the CG for a radio check. HURRAH!!! About fecking time.

Yes, radio checks can often be done in-house (in ship). with a handheld, and annoying no-one.

Holy Isle tonight by the looks... By the monastery?

Never having been on a CC I don't know how close to that history the SIPR experiences of Contender and Marisca came. We started from the same place, ended up in the same place 2 days later but took different directions and were subjected to very different conditions. Does that count?

I haven't been on one either, but I've read a few reports, and your experience sounds about right. Were there also steep waves, a green spinnaker, and alcohol involved? That would clinch it.

Ash