Troon -> Campbelltown
- Live MOB for 2 hours
Campbelltown -> Ardentrive (Oban)
- fast round the mull
Ardentrive -> Portree (Syke)
- dolphins
- skye bridge
Portree -> Stromnesss (Orkney)
- weather
- cape wrath
- fog
- force 8/9
- cliffs of orkney
- tidal window
- beat into wind for tidal gate)
- arrival
Stromness -> Sea Port (Inverness)
- robert arrives
- pentland firth
- night sail
- sea locks
- radio call
After picking up the crew, including a new addition, Niall, we headed through to the boat. Niall had some friends in Troon, so we joined them in Troon’s answer to “Byker Grove” for a couple of drinks. Saturday morning we were up bright and early to start our weekend. We left the marina as planned, but our mail sail didn’t feel like coming it out. The company who had valeted the sails didn’t wrap them properly, so we had to return home for some repair work. Of course, as soon as we return to the marina, the heavens open and we get soaked!! After a bit of head scratching, we decided the best bet was to put someone up the mast, and get them to help the sail out properly. Of course, still raining, up I went in full foul-weather gear. Thankfully, the main sail came out pretty easy, and we were soon on our way again. This time we got out the marina, but there was absolutely no wind. Needless the say the rain had now stopped, and been replaced with glorious sunshine!! We donked our way up to Milport for some man-overboard drills, and after a few runs, we noticed that the wind was picking up. We took the opportunity to get our sails up, and had a great sail round the top of Great Cumbrie, getting into Largs just in time for some well deserved dinner. There wasn’t much wind (but plenty of sunshine!) on Sunday morning, so we decided to donk back to Milport where we could pick up a few mooring buoys and have a bite to eat. We decided to drag out our dinghy and give the outboard a wee test. After a few attempts (and a bit of colourful language), we were on our way to the shore for some ice-cream and a drink at one of the local pubs. After a nice wander ashore in the brilliant sunshine, we returned to the boat and headed for Troon. We donked half the way home, but it didn’t take long for us to find some wind. Up went the sails again for another great trip back home. All in all, a fantastic weekend, a great crew, and a nice gentle start to the season!
29/08/2003: After a really long drive all the way from Edinburgh to Ardfen, we finally arrived in what looked the worlds most unlikely place to put a harbour. Anyway, after lots of well wishing from the previous crew, they handed over to us, and we prepared for a long sail down round the Mull Of Kintyre, and over to our home port of Troon.
30/08/2003: Everyone up bright and early for our 8am departure. An absolutely beautiful sunset, and absolutely no wind. I take her out of the harbour, and off we go… The log reads “Donk, Donk, Donk… is 9.30am too early for a beer?”. Not a puff of wind, so we did some nav, set some waypoints, whacked on the autohelm, and kicked back with a few beers.
Unfortunately, our skipper doesn’t deal too well with no wind, so she got bored. After a quick phone call, we were told that now wasn’t the time to be learning how to fly the spinnaker… so, well, she started firing people up the mast!! Its a great buzz standing at the top of a mast, as you hurtle down past Gigha at 7 knots. Really wanna go back another day with my camera and take some pictures of the boat. She looks beautiful from up there.
Because we had motored all the way down from Ardfen, we were a few hours early for our tidal window around the Mull, so we battered against the tide for a while, until we were spat out the other side, for a short leg up to Cambeltown. 12 hours of gorgeous weather… no sailing, but at least we all got a tan. Infact, Gee resembles a panda 
31/08/03: After a few beers in Cambeltown, we set off around 10.45am, for our last passage. Again, no wind, so this time we did some MOB’s under sail to keep ourselves amused. Much to our surprise, they went really well, with everyone getting a go at each job. George went for a swim 8 times, and each time he was recovered within 3-4 minutes. Not bad!!! Arrival in Troon 7 hours later.
02/08/03: After a wee bit of pontoon bashing at Troon, we headed out towards Arran, an up towards Milport, where we could stop, catch a buoy, and have some well deserved lunch. Our original plan was to nip round the top Arran, and stay over night either at Lamlash (anchorage), or Lochranza (mooring buoy). Unfortunately, the sea state went for poor Kev’s stomach, so we thought a shorter trip to Largs might be a better idea… besides… there’s a PUB there!!!Had a good night out in Largs. Walked into town, and had ourselves a rather tasty chippie on the water front. Jesus it was cold, and damn is it a long walk home!
03/08/03: Sunday morning (cough… 12 o clock), and its time to head home. Kev is feeling much better today, and although we don’t have much wind, at least the weather is nice! This time we stop at Brodwick Bay (on the south/east of Arran) for lunch. After leaving our mooring buoy under sail (purists eh!), we goose-winged (painfully slowly) back towards Troon. Wind died completely, so we donked the rest of the way home. Arrived back at 8pm, all crew suitably knackered.
Oh… and Kev gives birth to the “Kowline”… dont ask!!
