Kicking my heels in Oban

[Telo]

We'll probably be in the area some time tomorrow afternoon. We'll keep an eye/ear open (Channel 77 OK?)

[garredfox]

Will be at home, Seil, at the weekend. We may go out on Saturday. No set plans as Nick has been away all week and is coming back on the ferry from Barra late tomorrow.

Come and anchor in Puilladobhran and walk over to the Tigh an Truish.

I'll pm our phone number.

[DaveS]

will be taking it very gently - but actually the bit I'm most worried about is getting back into the marina after I've been away. Hey ho - at least Kerrera has nice widely spaced pontoons.

Just a thought, based on my singlehanding methods... While you're on the pontoon you could take the opportunity to make up a warp with a fixed loop at one end (bowline) to go over your centre cleat and a mid-line loop (figure of eight) to go over the first (seaward) pontoon cleat thus forming a spring that will stop the bow contacting the walkway. The rest of the line goes loosely back to your stern cleat, marked (bit of tape) to show how far out from the pontoon you can safely be before risking hitting your neighbour. Before returning to the pontoon you arrange this prepared line with the slack made off on your stern cleat at the mark, and come slowly into the pontoon, dropping the loop over the pontoon cleat with the boathook. Leave the motor in tickover ahead and you're held safely in place while you put on a bow rope and shorten up the stern line.

[Silkie]

Sadly, despite this being very clearly marked as a sailing weekend on the calendar, I am committed to preparing for The New Kitchen this weekend.

Puilladobhrain was the choice for my first single-handed anchoring experience and the T'n'T is the icing on the cake. I'm sure you'll have fun wherever you end up.

[Telo]

Mull of Kintyre to Ardnamurchan Point

Strong winds are forecast

Inshore waters forecast

24 hour forecast: 0100 Thu 19 Jun 0100 Fri 20 Jun
Wind Northwest, backing southwest for a time, 4 or 5, occasionally 6 at first, decreasing 3 or 4 later.
Sea state Moderate, occasionally rough at first.
Weather Showers.
Visibility Mainly good.

Outlook: 1900 Thu 19 Jun 1900 Fri 20 Jun
Wind Westerly veering easterly 3 or 4.
Sea state Moderate decreasing slight.
Weather Showers dying out.
Visibility Good.

[Telo]

We didn't leave Dallens Bay until half five, with the wind right on the nose. We tacked down and anchored on the north side of Eilean na Cloiche, E of Lismore, at about 2000. Wind dropped just we were anchoring; beautiful evening.

Forecast not too bad, although I see Sunday is East 4 or 5 becoming psychotic 5 to 7.

[ljs]

Probably should have said boats name is Autonomy - 36ft dark blue with a red stripe
James

Perfect name for a bit of single-handing..

[Nick]

Mull of Kintyre to Ardnamurchan Point

Strong winds are forecast

Inshore waters forecast

24 hour forecast: 0100 Thu 19 Jun 0100 Fri 20 Jun
Wind Northwest, backing southwest for a time, 4 or 5, occasionally 6 at first

Call that strong?

Came into Castlebay this morning with 40 knots over the deck gusting up to 45 and rain like bullets. Been sewn into my thermals all week and my crew got confused if the wind dropped below 20 knots and asked if they should put the engine on.

[ash]

Just received this email from Weatherman

"Morning all,

Just wanted to let you know that the winds around Ireland and the western UK are looking unseasonably strong tomorrow.

As the area of low pressure tracks over Ireland there is a chance of the winds increasing to be in excess of F10 through Sunday. The strongest winds could last from late this evening to late Sunday evening.

In fact, almost no sea areas escape the strong winds.

Check the latest forecasts before sailing as this has the potential to be particularly nasty, especially given the Round Ireland Race which is going to be taking place from today.

Stay safe,

Simon"

Ash

[Telo]

This morning we headed South from Eilean na Cloiche making only about two knots with a very light wind behind us. The afternoon's forecast came in as we approached Eilean Bach. We turned around and headed back to Dallens Bay, and home..........

[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...

[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.

[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.