Day 18 Loch Boisdale - Tobermory
We did not set the alarm but decided that a good night sleep was more important than an early start so we left around 8am. It was wet and misty and did not look promising and worse it was gusting so we were not looking forward to the journey. We had decided to leave the Outer Hebrides for the time being because the forecasts of poor weather could have meant that we were holed up on one place for quite some time. Heading back to Tobermory opens up a lot more options.
As we pulled out of the marina we are flanked on both sides by hills but ahead of us is the open sea only and the seem is very smooth. As we exit the mouth of the loch the sea becomes more disturbed but there is very little wind and we are completely confused. The coast guard is calling F4-F6 from NNW which is ok because it is a down wind surf but what we actually had was F2 at the most and so … we were motoring yet again. We tried to sail slowly but we were so dead down wind that we were at a risk of gybing and the way waves were forming meant that we were being pushed around and so holding a set course was even more difficult.
We then received a WhatsApp message from Nigel and Sally, they are out of the Caledonian Canal and would we like to meet in Loch Aline on Saturday night? YES and we will cook, it has to be out turn they are always the hosts, so it was a good decision to leave.
The journey was very uneventful apart from a rescue of a stricken motorboat drifting onto rock saved by a Discovery 55, Blue Harmony. Soon we were making our way through the Sound of Mull towards Tobermory. I called the harbour master for berthing instructions and was told to go on the main hammerhead.
As there was a following wind I asked Linda to get off with a stern spring, then we saw the pontoon and we have to park the boat between a 72 foot sailing boat and a 50' motor boat… as ever we had a huge audience because there were lots of boats moored on the other side of the pontoon watching this big blue sailing boat come in with just two people on board.
I use my usual technique of coming on at an oblique angle and turning the boat at the last minute and ramming the boat into reverse. This induces a sort of skidding sideways movement to the boat and so we came in, slotted in and Linda stepped off with the line ad tied us up and the proceeded to tie up the rest of the boat. You could see about 20 jaws hit the floor and someone said "they have done that before", we pretended not to notice. :)
We had a shower and went ashore to scout out the town and managed to get a booking for "Cafe Fish" for Friday night. Cafe Fish is the most sought after restaurant in Mull and they never answer their phone and wont take booking more than seven days in advance.
The Tobermory Distillery is right next to the pontoons and we booked tasting sessions for Friday which are the first slots available. It is tough to get into restaurant or visit attractions un less you book days in advance, I won't miss this virus.
As we pulled out of the marina we are flanked on both sides by hills but ahead of us is the open sea only and the seem is very smooth. As we exit the mouth of the loch the sea becomes more disturbed but there is very little wind and we are completely confused. The coast guard is calling F4-F6 from NNW which is ok because it is a down wind surf but what we actually had was F2 at the most and so … we were motoring yet again. We tried to sail slowly but we were so dead down wind that we were at a risk of gybing and the way waves were forming meant that we were being pushed around and so holding a set course was even more difficult.
We then received a WhatsApp message from Nigel and Sally, they are out of the Caledonian Canal and would we like to meet in Loch Aline on Saturday night? YES and we will cook, it has to be out turn they are always the hosts, so it was a good decision to leave.
The journey was very uneventful apart from a rescue of a stricken motorboat drifting onto rock saved by a Discovery 55, Blue Harmony. Soon we were making our way through the Sound of Mull towards Tobermory. I called the harbour master for berthing instructions and was told to go on the main hammerhead.
As there was a following wind I asked Linda to get off with a stern spring, then we saw the pontoon and we have to park the boat between a 72 foot sailing boat and a 50' motor boat… as ever we had a huge audience because there were lots of boats moored on the other side of the pontoon watching this big blue sailing boat come in with just two people on board.
I use my usual technique of coming on at an oblique angle and turning the boat at the last minute and ramming the boat into reverse. This induces a sort of skidding sideways movement to the boat and so we came in, slotted in and Linda stepped off with the line ad tied us up and the proceeded to tie up the rest of the boat. You could see about 20 jaws hit the floor and someone said "they have done that before", we pretended not to notice. :)
We had a shower and went ashore to scout out the town and managed to get a booking for "Cafe Fish" for Friday night. Cafe Fish is the most sought after restaurant in Mull and they never answer their phone and wont take booking more than seven days in advance.
The Tobermory Distillery is right next to the pontoons and we booked tasting sessions for Friday which are the first slots available. It is tough to get into restaurant or visit attractions un less you book days in advance, I won't miss this virus.