Julie Rose Textiles and Sailing

Tuesday 22 April. Stayed in Oban last night in a lovely hotel on the front. Unfortunately on the second floor with some difficult corners on the stairs to negotiate. Walked along to the Oban Inn for a beer then back to the hotel for a whiskey via the chip shop.

Nice breakfast and nice views from the hotel

On to Ganavan beach for a while on our way to Dumstaffnage

Now motored out of Dunstaffage and down to Lock Spelve to anchor for the night. Glass of wine before dinner and a lovely dinner in the saloon.

Wednesday 23 April

Very quiet night at anchor. No movement or noise. Getting the anchor up was more problematic as was caked in mud Got going and cruising down towards Iona today

Nice cruise down to the passage through past Iona and around to Bunessen for an overnight anchor. Trying to find a way to get to Iona as there are only 3 buses a day. 9.30 bit early 2.30 too late No taxis but found a hire car that could collect us at 10.30 Sorted. Lovely dinner of Lasagna and all in bed by 10pm. Quiet night with a bit of wind.

Thursday 24 April

Early breakfast to get the taxi for about 10am that we had organised yesterday. Pancakes this morning with lots of lovely fruit. Going outside , quite cold and windy and both outboard motors refused to start, Stewart tried all sorts but to no avail. Had to cancel the taxi and try Plan B. Try to get the motors going and get the next bus at 2:30. Tanya rang head office who managed to find a taxi for about 12 if one of the motors would go. Waiting a while and trying again. Yes it worked so we all got over to the Pier and the taxi was there. I managed to get in to the tender easily but getting out more difficult but I managed.

Taxi dropped us by the ferry and we were soon aboard and off to Iona. Then all walked up to the Abbey and went into all together. Was a lovely place and lots to read and see. Then all went our own way to meet up at 5 pm for the ferry and the bus back.

We looked around the Heritage Centre and lots of craft shops and bought a fridge magnet and some knitting tags. Everything else was too expensive and then all met up in the pub to make the right ferry.

Ferry was on time and bus was there so all worked well and were dropped off at the Pier and Stewart was there to meet us and got us back to the boat.

curry for dinner and moved to an anchorage near Ulva.

Friday 25 April

Boiled eggs for breakfast, nice change, then the crew had to go off on the tender to puck up new batteries, all 6 of them. Then had to fit them and all seems well again with the electrics. By this time the weather had worsened so decided to stay here and have lunch and then move on in the afternoon.

Lunch over, anchor had to come up which took a while as we had a lot of chain out and then out of the sheltered waters to see what it was like. Well rock and rolling is what it was like with lots of wind so headed for the next inlet where at least the water would be a calm if not the wind. This was on the island of Gometra and yes the inlet was calm and had 3 houses and a few fishing boats . Very remote, had a lazy afternoon and I started knitting some socks on a round needle.

Saturday 26 April

Nice calm morning and night. Off to cruise around Staffa to see Fingells Cave and then on to where the puffins might be. Saw Fingells Cave and had the music on , then some Scottish music and weather was fine. Then cruised on to Lock Dram Brodie for the afternoon and a nice day sat out in the sunshine and a drop or two of wine and whiskey. Ginny pigs for Tanya with a trial of Pizza but the oven not really up to making pizza and a meringue pudding.

Sunday 27 April.

Raining, anchor up and off to Tobermory for the day.

Nice berth in Tobermory on the commercial pontoon, still raining but walked into the village, checked all the craft shops and then into the Mishmash where there was music playing but not much room, did get a seat eventually and chatted with people, had some lunch and beer and was nice, still railing, went back towards the boat and into The Gallery with more music and then back to St Hilda. Nice quiet couple of hours, I have my knitting and drawing and then a nice dinner of Squash and rice but was a bit hot for me which was shame as there were lots of nice things in it but too hot.

Monday 28th April,

Raining again in the morning but were able to have a bit of a walk before setting off for Durat Castle. Were able to get the sails up for a short while but really not enough wind so they had to come down shortly afterwards.