(In which Benj passes the days in Oban in a mixture of Good Works and idleness, mostly in the rain)

"The Earth belongs to the Lord thy God
And all that it contains;
Except for Skye and the Western Isles
And they belong to MacBraynes"
    (With thanks to Iain Dow)

Nobody truly wants to know what I did for this week, while awaiting the arrival of Vega's crew for the Classic Malts, so this is the executive summary:
Useful things done: (a) took bike to Nevis Cycles and got two new inner tubes, getting soaked in a massive thunderstorm in the process, bad enough that the passengers were refusing to get off the ferry from the marina to let drowned rats on! (b) Did a thorough clean and scrub of the areas of the boat, including the gelcoat still encrusted with the grit from Padstow; (c) installed new top guard wires - involving a rapid unscheduled trip to the chandler because Owen Sails had sent the wrong size clevis pins (don't ask); (d) serviced both winches (a first experience for me, with much trepidation), between showers and on one side under an umbrella; (e) reorganise stowage on boat, including 'hiding' two folding bikes to make room for crew; (f) constructed and replaced cockpit table toggle; (g) much Tesco shopping and re-provisioning.
Nice things done: (a) after much struggle and strife Cate and I managed to get electronic communications to work, including some late night/early morning Skype video calls on my magic Samsung Tablet; (b) walked to the Hutchison monument on the island to watch the sunset over Mull and moonrise over Oban (Hutchison was the fore-runner of the all-powerful Caledonian MacBrayne in establishing ferry transport between the islands); (c) Visited the interesting St John's Episcopal Cathedral in town (it was extended but never completed); (d) Watched Andy Murray's Fourth and Fifth Rounds at Wimbledon in Aulay's Bar, over a bowl of Cullen Skink and several pints of Guinness; (e) watched some good TV replays on iPlayer, while hiding from the rain, and read two good books; (f) supper of scallops at Waypoint Grill, and lunch of haddock and chips overlooking harbour wall (not on the same day!); (g) had great chat with Dave (Duffer) Neil, an Orcadian aboard Capella Endeavour, with useful information and advice about our plans for Orkney: believe it or not, this old salty dog actually lives in Ramsgate, and his delightful companion Jasmine runs a fish and chip shop in Broadstairs. Small world doesn't begin to cover it!
Well, that was it for the week, and as I write (between blazing sun and sudden downpours, it's time to plan for tomorrow's arrivals - David Noble and Ian Sheldon - for the Malts Rally.  Watch this space!

Cate & Benj Round UK 2012 Follow our progress at http://blog.mailasail.com/vega