56:30.8N 6:48.1W

After a good night’s sleep, opportunity was taken to utilise the facilities at Tobermory: washing was done, provisions obtained and showers taken. The original plan had been to stay there for the day and set off for Tiree on Sunday, but met intelligence suggested heading to Tiree on Saturday would be prudent.

So we left Tobermory at midday in lovely sunshine, and headed NW then westerly, passing Ardnamurchan Point (shipping forecast aficionados take note!)  to starboard. The wind was gusty until we cleared the NW tip of Mull, from where we managed to lay our course SW to Tiree without having to tack, with 6 rolls in the genoa and 2 reefs in the main. Though the wind behaved itself, the rest of the weather started collapsing, and with a slightly short choppy sea given the tide (the only redeeming feature of which was that it was pushing us further towards our goal) and the visibility deteriorating as the rain came in things were looking decidedly bleak.

Nonetheless, we progressed safely into our anchorage at Gott Bay at 1730, sheltered from the southerly swell that remains.  The forecast id for a change of wind direction to westerly overnight, so we should be OK however hard it blows.   Unsurprisingly we’re the only boat in the anchorage and the skipper met his challenge of the day – to drop the anchor and be satisfied with the first attempted position! BZ!

 

 

With wet foulies peeled off and the kettle on, we’re all now warming up nicely courtesy of the skipper’s winter repairs on the heater.  Herman really has proved invaluable this trip - there's hardly a day he hasn't been used for several hours, especially morning and evening. 

The skipper has been charged with making another spag bol tonight for supper, 

 

 

and we should remain here until Pippa’s flight out on Monday. No mobile phone signal to speak of but excellent WiFi connection courtesy of the booster and Stuart’s ingenuity.