056:24.969 N
005:28.548 W

Oban

Sunshine all day today which was very helpful as we scrubbed TC from bow to stern with all hatches open. Since Harry left us in April, his bunk has been used as a dumping ground, so that was grubbed out and is now prepped and ready for his sister.

A very satisfying thing happened today, we were just deliberating when it might be time to replace the gas bottle before heading north when the flame under the kettle making the mid-morning cuppa gave a last gasp and went out, perfect timing. So we are now bursting with everything; diesel, water, new oil for the main engine, ‘Aspen’ fuel for the 2hp, 2 new gas bottles, food ~ and the crew are laundered, showered and ready to go!

It was a short hop across the Sound into ‘Oban Transit Marina’ a very efficient tidy set of pontoons right in the heart of town, it is always exciting to be on the boat in the centre of town. Caledonian MacBrayne ferries are coming and going, the now familiar Hebridean Princess is here on a stopover, and plenty of yachts are doing crew changes with the train station right here. Also Bol spotted his dream boat (photo below) for when we can’t hoist a halyard and winch in the sheets any longer!

We will have Isabelle with us until next Monday and plan to end up in Mallaig in order for her to catch the train south. We have a rough itinerary and are keeping fingers crossed this glorious weather lasts. So sending this early today as we are about to head off and meet our VIP (didn’t think she’d appreciate us being on the computer on her first night!).