Oh golly – yes it was a late one last night!!

We had a splendid dinner at the Shower of Herring which was, I believe, enjoyed by all.

Post dinner, those on moorings at Melfort repaired to Kaparda where we were treated to excellent hospitality by Pippa & Gavin Shanks.

Not quite sure when the last of us left the Shanks in peace to turn in, but the party then continued back on Hiltgund.  Andy Malcolm stopped for a couple of cups of coffee before gingerly heading off in to the murk to find his way back to Crinan – well, it sounded reasonably ginger for the first few minutes and then we heard the characteristic roar of his RIB’s engine as he headed down Loch Melfort.  He rang to report safe arrival at Loch Crinan shortly after 3.00 am.  For some reason, some of those that remained got involved in a bottle of white wine – a strange thing to do at that time of night and the skipper has vague recollections of folding up the boom tent as it was dry just as dawn was staring to break – some time after 4??.....

Then there was a rather hideously early start to be under way by 0945 motoring hard in flat calm and initially slightly drizzly conditions to make it back through Dorus Mor before the tide changed – spring tides today and Andy had reported strong tides yesterday evening so we were keen to be in good time.

The wind failed to fill in, so we motored all the way back to Ardfern – alongside at approx 1215 and Gilly set to work in the galley to rustle up some bacon rolls.  Then a quick trip over to Craobh in the car to return the Bourkes to theirs and then skipper back aboard for 40 urgently needed winks.  Tidied up the ship and headed off for Edinburgh at about 4.00 pm.

In some ways, a much drier weekend than forecast …  and very fine conviviality to boot.  “Definitely above average for the West Coast” to coin a phrase….!!