LAST SAIL OF THE SEASON

Crew assembled for drinks and late dinner aboard on Friday night.  Forecast for Saturday very much less than promising so sat up chatting over a couple of bottles of wine until about 0300 listening to the wind starting to howl in the rigging.  Wind continued to howl in rigging as we woke not very early on Saturday morning, so an agreeable day was spent exploring various local hostelries (Ardfern, Tayvallich and Crinan).  Forecast for Sunday MUCH more promising.

Sunday morning dawned bright but chilly.  After a quick breakfast, we were on our way.  We enjoyed a glorious sunny sail under full mains’l and small jib from Ardfern to Crinan.  Picked up a mooring and spent an hour or so taking off the main and preparing Hiltgund for slipping out.  Crinan Boatyard proprietor John Dunlop came out to give us a lift ashore and we headed off home.

It’s always sad to leave the boat prior to slipping out on such a lovely sunny day, but the prospects for the next week are not great so it is probably the right time to get Hiltgund ashore for the winter.  

Crew aboard: Chris Perring, Duncan Whitehead