Golly - that was pretty wet!!

We enjoyed a very agreeable evening at Craobh on Saturday  - sundowners in the cockpit - there was a sort of sunset (see below) and dinner at the Lord of the Isles (the food is good here this year - excellent trio of Scottish Salmon as a starter and splendid Barbreck sausages for a main washed down with a very respectable bottle of 2005 Bordeaux) and then a somewhat extended Madeira and cheese session back on board.

Sunday morning dawned wet and gloomy with wind whistling through the rigging.  Delayed departure until 1500 to reduce wind against tide unpleasantness in the Dorus Mor.  Rather heavy going down towards the Dorus with wind blowing force 5 to 6 smack on the nose.  A short steep swell limited progress to between 3 and 4 knots and it took a very wet hour to get to Hutcheson Rock.  As we came into the shelter of the islands, the swell subsided and progress became more rapid and after a short spell of quite interesting conditions just NW of the Dorus we then shot through at over 8 knots - so there was still a fair bit of tide running which explained the swell further back!!  I'm glad we didn't set out any earlier.

There followed a brisk passage back up Loch Craignish with George just about coping with the following sea.  Arrived at Ardfern at 1730 so about an hour longer than in more ideal conditions.  Still, the verdict was that it was worth it for the good sail we had yesterday and jolly evening at Craobh.  Tucked into new berth for 2010 - No 6.  Better in some ways than this year's berth, but broadside to the breeze blowing on to the pontoon - not completely ideal, but at least port side to which for Hiltgund makes a controlled approach easier.   And getting out should be a bit less nerve wracking as well.

All in all, a good weekend.  Hopefully next time Chris Wilson comes sailing on the West Coast, he might see a bit more sunshine and rather less of the breezy wet conditions which have been the theme for his three yachting expeditions on Hiltgund and Tryad to date!