BLUEMOMENT

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After motoring from Craobh to just S. of Loch Sween yesterday the promised NE wind suddenly sprang up with a vengeance. Hanging on to all plain sail we hurtled into the top of the Sound of Gigha in increasingly brisk and splashy conditions on a rather exciting beam reach. Approaching us on a recioprocal course was another vessel of similar size, enjoying similarly brisk sailing.

As we closed at twelve or fourteen knots, each skipper hauling in the weather helm, we recognised Hyskeir. It was a brief exchange:

'It's Ocklepoint' says Kathy.
'Where are you off to?' he shouts as we pass at high speed
'Ireland. You?'
'Stornoway' he yells, already several boat lengths past.
'Give my regards to everybody' I scream, as he diminishes Northwards at high speed.

Not ideal conditions to stop for a gam. Later we had to motor all the way from Cara to Glenarm!

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In Bangor marina tonight after a lumpy but fast sail down frlom Glenarm. Met up with a friend (Richard) we first met in the Azores five years ago. Away up to Belfast City marina tomorrow. Northerly wind howling, but dry.

Today was Gairloch Big Boat Day - anyone there?

Nick wrote:.Not ideal conditions to stop for a gam.

My first thoughts were in full agreement with you, thinking that the product such an action might be unsuitable for a family website. However on doing a thorough internet search I now realise that you were of course referring to a "social visit or friendly interchange, especially between whalers or seafarers" and not the Irvine Welsh definition.

Can confirm Ocklepoint's presence in Tobermory.
He accosted me in a most boisterous and hearty manner - we apologised to each other if we had at anytime in the ether, caused offence and then parted. I think it would be a challenge to get to Stornoway, given the forecast but I hope they make it.

Shard wrote:

Nick wrote:.Not ideal conditions to stop for a gam.

My first thoughts were in full agreement with you, thinking that the product such an action might be unsuitable for a family website. However on doing a thorough internet search I now realise that you were of course referring to a "social visit or friendly interchange, especially between whalers or seafarers" and not the Irvine Welsh definition.

Not a term one hears much nowadays, Gamerouche - been overtaken by MILFs and Cougars I suppose.

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In Belfast city marina - £8 a night including electricity.

Interesting place.

Pity about the boy Murray.

claymore wrote:Not a term one hears much nowadays, Gamerouche - been overtaken by MILFs and Cougars I suppose.

i live such a sheltered life ...

Nick wrote:Pity about the boy Murray.

Contrary to almost every other pundit, particularly the BBC, he can only get better and far from this being his best chance ...

I too met Ocklepoint in Tobermory but he ain't in Stornoway, yet. Hardly any boats here, none from Gairloch.

marisca wrote:I too met Ocklepoint in Tobermory but he ain't in Stornoway, yet. Hardly any boats here, none from Gairloch.

Weather?

Nick wrote:

marisca wrote:I too met Ocklepoint in Tobermory but he ain't in Stornoway, yet. Hardly any boats here, none from Gairloch.

Weather?

I came up after the Round Mull Race, wind was F6 most of Monday but not a lot on Tuesday and it was a beat all the way after Ardnamurchan. Stopped for the night in the wee bay behind Neist lighthouse, very sheltered and calm. Stand by for a 180 degree windshift to the south for next week when I head downhill again.

marisca wrote:I too met Ocklepoint in Tobermory but he ain't in Stornoway, yet. Hardly any boats here, none from Gairloch.

Oh yes he is................arrived about 1900 yesterday, Wednesday evening.

What a trek.

Although I arrived in Tob last Thursday, the same day I saw "Fairwinds" to the north of Gigha I did not manage to get round Ardnamurchan Pt until the Tuesday morning. Managed to sail to Rhum and through its sound then the wind was bang on the nose: spent the night up a northern arm of Loch Bracadale then motored every inch of the way to Stornoway.

What a social place Tob turned out to be: the honourables Marisca, Claymore and CPEWs not to mention fellow club members from the (less smart) Granton club up to engineless antics. Too much drink taken.

Stornoway is looking good: met up with some of the traditional boat people last night for drams and story telling: Hebfest starts tonight: other Forth Corinthians expected: should be a fun few days.

Sadly I agree with the sagacious Marisca, the wind will go hard into the south on Monday and stay there for the next three weeks.

Ocklepoint wrote: Sadly I agree with the sagacious Marisca, the wind will go hard into the south on Monday and stay there for the next three weeks.

I have an excellent and useful device on my boat. It's a wee arrow at the top of the mast which at all times points precisely where I want to go. No GPS required, either; it works on the Laws of Physics and Sod.

ubergeekian wrote: I have an excellent and useful device on my boat. It's a wee arrow at the top of the mast which at all times points precisely where I want to go. No GPS required, either; it works on the Laws of Physics and Sod.

We have the very same device. It was working perfectly today, pointing us East out of Belfast Lough then SE through Donaghadee Sound, followed by due S down the Ards Peninsula. What an infallible and incredibly simple instrument!

Strangford yet?
Portaferry is good