Scottish Cruise - Trinity Sailing Thursday 28th Aug 2014 Day 6

Thick mist, overcast and raining this morning.

Still feeling stuffed this morning, I don't think I need much breakfast this morning. The plan today is to sail South down the Sound of Mull and into Loch Spelvie. We set off in miserable weather but it's soon starting to improve with a few sunny spells between the showers. The weather is clearing as we pass Duart Castle and into the Linn of Lorne. A cracking sail along to Loch Spelvie, main, mizzen, jib and staysail all set. My sketching today was mainly with water soluble graphite pencils and a wash brush as it's more controllable in the rain. Anchored in Loch Spelvie at 1700 after a great sail, got ashore for a walk and a couple of sketches before dinner. Feeling shattered and sunburnt this evening - nobody seemed to put on suncream because it was raining this morning.

Sketches in the Sound of Mull

Duart Castle

Loch Spelvie

Scottish Cruise - Trinity Sailing Mon 25th Aug 2014. Day 3

 Porridge for breakfast today with all the trimmings! Honey, jam, strawberries, chopped walnuts. Not too many takers so I had two big bowlfulls to set me up for the day. Weighed anchor 0730 and away, main, mizzen, jib and staysail set, nice force 4 over the beam so great sailing conditions for us today. It will be a long day, should be in Loch na Keal by about 1700 all being well. We need to do a couple of gybed to get us through th Torran Rocks and past Iona. We reduced sail in the strengthening conditions - got rid of jib and staysail, more comfortable sailing again. I can now see the Treshnish Isles, The Dutchmans Cap and Staffa in the distance. We are heading for Staffa for a photo and sketch opportunity.

Approaching Staffa.

Staffa. 

Now passed Staffa we are heading for Ulva and Loch na Keal. Feeling a bit chilled I went to my bunk for a bit of a nap.....it's a hard life.

Awoke to the sound of the anchor going down...we are here. A nice anchorage at the head of Loch na Keal. The wind is quite strong, gusting straight down the loch but we have some shelter so should be OK. The crew will be on anchor watch to ensure we don't drag during the night. No phone signal here so phone call home will have to wait until we get to Tobermory tomorrow. No light pollution here, I spent a pleasant half hour staring at the night sky from the comfort of the dinghy, millions of stars, the Milky Way, a few satellites and two shooting stars...brilliant. The end of a fine days sailing on this magnificent vessel.

Looking West from Loch na Keal

Leaving Loch na Keal looking South

Ulva - Mull from Loch na Keal