Cruise of 1000 isles

[Fjgrogan]

Reading your post, Dave, I can picture that coastal scenery, or at least the view of the bay from the the Ring of Kerry as I saw it a number of times travelling from Killarney to Caherciveen,often in September, and often in torrential rain, but when the sun is out one of the most beautiful views on earth. Also the Skelligs have a special place in my heart. I once planned to scale Skellig Michael, but I guess that is never going to happen now.

[DavebytheSea]

Lots more pics available on:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/albu ... 738&ref=nf

[Fjgrogan]

Small problem there, Dave. I am not registered with Facebook and do not wish to be and cannot therefore gain access. (I already waste more than enough time on this forum or playing Freecell - I dare not use Facebook as well, or I would never get anything done!) But I do want to see your pictures, especially this part of the trip. Perhaps I need to sneak in through the back door and consult one of my daughters?

[DavebytheSea]

Still in Castlebay, Barra - lovely sunshine but gales constantly forecast. Birthday treat yesterday for Judith - we took a return sightseeing flight to Benbecula from the world's only beach airport - fantastic!

[mvgrogan]

Just been admiring Miles' photos on facebook - looks like you're having a great time!

[fra828]

Still in Castlebay, Barra - lovely sunshine but gales constantly forecast. Birthday treat yesterday for Judith - we took a return sightseeing flight to Benbecula from the world's only beach airport - fantastic!

We are off to that neck of the woods next month- Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis. The owner of the chalet we are staying in comes from Barra.

[Fjgrogan]

Are you aware that there was apparently a tornado in Stornaway the other day - better make sure your chalet is still there!? I hope Dave and his crew are OK - Stornaway doesn't seem to be too far from Barra in storm terms.

[fra828]

Are you aware that there was apparently a tornado in Stornaway the other day - better make sure your chalet is still there!? I hope Dave and his crew are OK - Stornaway doesn't seem to be too far from Barra in storm terms.

Stornoway is my husband's home town, and we spoke to relatives there yesterday. They say the mini-tornado was very localized, but still very scary, even tho it only lasted less than a minute. Cars were blown over, luckily no-one was badly hurt. This is the 5th year running we will be staying in the same chalet - it is very sturdy, made of concrete, more like a bungalow.

[DavebytheSea]

Debbie. Simon and family left us in Oban, but we were immediately rejoined by the returning Pippa, followed by Ton y and Oli Purnell and Albi Treer from Hungary. These brought with them some fabulous wweather with warm sunshine and next day we enjoyed sailing down Kerrera Sound to Pulladobhrain whence a short trek took us to the "Bridge across the Atlantic by Clachan sound where we had a great pub lunch

That afternoon, when the tide once again turned in our favour we continued south to the Black Isles and anchopred between Eileen Dubh Mor and Eileen Dubh Beig. The two Olis braved the midges and camped ashore with Albi near the caves where intrepid children are sometimes left unsupervised by a hard core adventure centre on aa nearby island.

When the tide serrved later that afternoon, we sailed on southward to the uninhabited Black Isles, anchoring for the night between Eileen Dubh More and Eileen Dubh Beig. The two Oli's together with Albi decided to brave the Minches and camp ashore near the caves sometimes used for harbouring unsuperviswd children undergoing survival training on rthe nearby island of Luing.

The following morning dawned with a steady drizzle, but by the time we had recovered our intrepid campers, the weather had begun to clear as we caught a fast tide running down the sound of Luing to the Dorus Mior and the entrance to the Crinan canal. Locking strategies rapidly improved as we made our way up to the summit level at Cairnbarn where we spent a plasant eve3n in the late sunshine feasting on steak and homemade potato wedges. Locking down to Lochgilphead this morning under a clear blue sky was a relaxed affair desspite the fact that Tony had a taxi waiting to transport him to Glasgow for his flighthome and the rigours of Formula 1. We are now bound for the o[pen sea at Adrishaig beyond which lie the rigours of the Mull of Kintyre and the North Channel.

[Jo]

Thanks for the update David, it all sounds fascinating. Each time you (or anyone else) posts an update or pictures, either here or on Facebook, I immediately open Google Maps in another window and have fun plotting your route from the landmarks mentioned.

[DavebytheSea]

Thanks Jo - it's good to know that this is of interest to someone other than ourselves! At present I am rocking to my anchor in Red Bay while the others have rowed ashore to explore.

Here is the next bit!

Debbie, Simon and family left us in Oban, but we were immediately rejoined by the returning Pippa, followed by Ton y and Oli Purnell and Albi Treer from Hungary. These brought with them some fabulous weather with warm sunshine and next day we enjoyed sailing down Kerrera Sound to Pulladobhrain whence a short trek took us to the "Bridge across the Atlantic" by Clachan sound where we had a great pub lunch

That afternoon, when the tide once again turned in our favour we continued south to the Black Isles and anchored between Eileen Dubh Mor and Eileen Dubh Beig. The two Olis braved the midges and camped ashore with Albi near the caves where intrepid children are sometimes left unsupervised by a hard core adventure centre on a nearby island.

When the tide served later that afternoon, we sailed on southward to the uninhabited Black Isles, anchoring for the night between Eileen Dubh More and Eileen Dubh Beig. The two Oli's together with Albi decided to brave the Minches and camp ashore near the caves sometimes used for harbouring unsupervised children undergoing survival training on r
the nearby island of Luing.

The following morning dawned with a steady drizzle, but by the time we had recovered our intrepid campers, the weather had begun to clear as we caught a fast tide running down the sound of Luing to the Dorus Mior and the entrance to the Crinan canal. Locking strategies rapidly improved as we made our way up to the summit level at Cairnbarn where we spent a pleasant evening in the late sunshine feasting on steak and homemade potato wedges.

Locking down to Lochgilphead this morning under a clear blue sky was a relaxed affair despite the fact that Tony had a taxi waiting to transport him to Glasgow for his flighthome and the rigours of Formula 1. We are now bound for the open sea at Adrishaig beyond which lie the rigours of the Mull of Kintyre and the North Channel.

Sun 9th Aug
We loved the Crinan canal, but it was strange to find El Animado calmly cruising over hills and through forests. Having dropped Tony, we descended a further three locks to the sea and grey skies. The question was, how far to go?

Eventually, becoming a little concerned that we had put off re-fuelling for so long, we radioed ahead to Tarbert only to find that the fuelling berth would not be opening until the following morning. And so ... a pleasant night at anchor outside the harbour entrance while the two Olivers produced an excellent shepherds pie.

Monday 10th Aug
After breakfast, we re-fuelled at the fish quay and dropped off Pippa who was sad to be leaving us for the second time.
Next it was out again into into Loch Fyne for some grand sailing past Arran Island and on to Campeltown on the Kintyre peninsula. No sooner had the dinghy been inflated and the younger members of the party gone ashore, than a new weather forecast promised fresh to strong SW winds later in the North Channel. So, as soon as the shore party returned, we were away again, storming through the Sanda Channel at around ten knots.

Tuesday 11th Aug
The evening sail across the North Channel was brisk and rather rough. Sudden gusts forced us to reduce sail under the darkening skies with salt spray sweeping across the decks. Eventually, triple reefed and with a tiny jib, we gained the shelter of the coast and dropped the anchor near the tiny pier at the head of Red Bay under clear skies and upon thankfully calm waters just before midnight.

After the rigours of the crossing, it was agreed breakfast would be around noon today!

[Richard Ruck]

..... a short trek took us to the "Bridge across the Atlantic by Clachan sound where we had a great pub lunch

Dave, I presume you mean here?:


My mother and mother-in-law both live on Seil, so this is the local whenever we pay a visit. Lovely langoustines and squat lobsters (food in the pub, that is, not the ancestors.....).

[DavebytheSea]

Hi Richard - the very place! Excellent langoustines!

[DavebytheSea]

Well - I'm home - but El Animado is not! She is in Padstow under the care of Jonathan who has to leave tomorrow. I shall be back there on Thursday awaiting a weather window and a new crew which I must put together as quickly as possible. If you ...are interested, please contact me. I am here today and tomorrow on 01326 374237 or I can be contacted by mobile 0798 457 1052 or email - DavebytheSea@aol.com David

[Mid A 15]

Well - I'm home - but El Animado is not! She is in Padstow under the care of Jonathan who has to leave tomorrow. I shall be back there on Thursday awaiting a weather window and a new crew which I must put together as quickly as possible. If you ...are interested, please contact me. I am here today and tomorrow on 01326 374237 or I can be contacted by mobile 0798 457 1052 or email - DavebytheSea@aol.com David

Glad you had good trip David. I gather from reading the thread that Gemma (of this forum) was with you some of the time. Have you heard how her A levels went?