A GENTLE SAIL TO TOBERMORY
Aquila
Alan and Sarah Bennett
Sat 30 May 2015 14:04
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56:37.2N 6:04.0W
Our overnight spot in Kilchoan Bay served us well:  a lovely peaceful spot, sheltered from the NW swell running up the Sound of Mull a mile to leeward of us. After the usual hearty breakfast (glad there are no scales on Aquila!) we departed in a gentle NW. Looking back through the log, this is the first day (bar 2 hours on 20th) we have had full sails set since 13 May. That's 275 miles sailed since, all under reduced sail. And it's meant to be summer! The log also tells me we've now sailed 10,000 miles since Aquila left her berth in Deale, Maryland, USA in May 2008. Seems a while ago now, and I suppose it is! The hour's passage to Tobermory was ideal, albeit chilly - cabin thermometer showing below 10 degC. But Herman soon brings it up to about 18 when it's time for the crew to show a leg, so don't worry girls.... Alongside in Tobermory, the weather is beautiful - but there are a lot of other boats now coming in, so I expect they've read the same forecast. Stuart and I have been taking advantage of the lull to get various things fixed - this includes installing the AIS on the 'replacement' computer:  Actually, if truth be told, that photo was taken when he managed to get the GPS interfaced, but you get the idea.... That's tea in his glass of course. So we are now 'all ship shape and Bristol fashion', ready to receive the co-owner tomorrow, and new crew of Hugh and Nicky on Tuesday. Stuart will depart tomorrow; Aquila will be very sad to see him go. Not only is he an excellent shipmate who reads the skipper like a book, but he really knows what needs doing and quietly gets on with it. Marvellous. Once the impending gales have passed, Thursday is looking good for the passage back to Barra, where our next crew change RV is scheduled for 8th. That's assuming the wind gods don't pull another fast one: come on summer, give us all a break! You can see how windy it's been by this local turbine missing its blades!  |