Slowly Heading North

The past week has continued the very gentle and incredibly pleasant introduction to life aboard.

Following the Crinan canal we motored up to Loch Craignish due to the light winds and dropped the anchor for a peaceful evening surrounded by gulls, oystercatchers and the occasional seal.  I could have sworn at one point that the gulls and the little lambs were having a calling/bleating contest such was the timing of responses from each!

The next morning required a run ashore for top-up provisions in Ardfern and whilst it might be a slightly more expensive option than some of the larger supermarkets, the trade off is the most beautiful local produce that is only marginally more expensive, better for the local economy and a much more sustainable way of producing food.

Our tender 'Evo' on our resupply run to Ardfern

Next stop was Puilladobhrain (Pool of the Otter).  Again with light winds we motored up there and given that it was so still I decided to take a shower underway.  A by-product of running the engine is that it generates approximately 20 litres of hot water.  This usually is sufficient to wash the dishes and provide a couple of quick showers at anchor but by showering underway this enables the hot water to last longer on arrival as it will reheat whatever I have used.

Puilladobhrain is a favourite stopping off point for yachts.  It is protected from all wind directions and boats arrive and depart with the ebb and the flow of the day making for a lovely transient community.  Anchor dropped, refreshments out and Stuart started rustling up a venison stew from our earlier purchases.  

Midway through the cooking a boat starts coming into sight.  'I think that's Pegasus' he says.  To me it still looks like any other boat!  But sure enough it is, with the skipper, Tom, an old friend of Stuart's.  Tom got himself settled and then joined us aboard another evening of wonderful company, delicious food and to cap it all off, the most beautiful sunset.

With the forecast looking bright, sunny and again no wind we made plans to stay put for the next day and Tom offered to reciprocate dinner on the Wednesday evening.  When we let slip that it would be Stuart's birthday he didn't back away and plans were made - I would bring the fizz and the chocolate cake and he would supply the food and entertainment!

The day of Stuart's birthday (30th April) was spent very leisurely, enjoying the glorious weather, scenery and a trip out in the dinghy to experiment with our new fishing gear (thanks Charles!).  Successful in that we are comfortable with it how it all works and is rigged but no fish on this occasion (not that unexpected given time of day, depth etc.).

After getting back to the boat, rustling up the chocolate cupcakes, and freshening up, it was time to dinghy across to Pegasus and what a sight she was to behold!!  Festooned in bunting and balloons, Tom had pulled out all the stops and we proceeded to enjoy a delightful evening and a superb four course feast.  We even managed to get out our concertina (Tom) and tin whistle (me) and try some rudimentary jamming with accolades for enthusiasm at least from Stuart!  Well fed and watered we dinghied hone by moonlight. Tom, if you read this, the evening was an absolute triumph and thank you so much for the hospitality!

Pegasus ready for a party

Thursday was a quick nip up to Oban to stock up on fresh food, wash the boat and ourselves(!), top up the water tanks and the batteries.  The added bonus of Oban is watching the other boat traffic come and go, with a very impressive aluminium-hulled boat which looled likely to be polar-bound berthed next to us.

We had friends aboard for lunch on Friday and then it was the first close-hauled sail of the season across to Loch Spelve to join Royal Highland Yacht Club friends at the opening muster of the season.  One more weekend of socialising and then we will start pressing north!

We do sail sometimes - a great beat to Loch Spelve


BBQ!




 



Location: Loch Spelve, United Kingdom

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