Rajesh Burgul

Force 5 - 6. Close hauled and reefed. Sunny! Exciting conditions.

Quite a windy night at Eilean Nan Gamnha last night. Good sail down with initially 18kt wind but died off half way. Anchored at Eileach an Naoimh. Remains of monastery 400AD - v interesting. Difficult traversing island due to thick undergrowth. Nice view from top. Then motored up to Easdale and lovely dinner in Oyster Restaurant sitting outside at sunset.

Left Dunstaffnage around 1845h. Wind whipped up to 20kt!! Tucked in nicely at Eilean Nan Gamnha in 6m depth. Put down 30m chain. Wind still blowing but hopefully will settle overnight.

V little wind but beautiful conditions. Had swim at Lochaline first. Nice lunch at Eilean Nan Gamnha. Didn’t see the otter! Then back in to Dunstaffnage. Heading off to Glenshiel for sin Munro bagging.

Initially aimed for Ardgour but northerly came in strong. So turned back to sound of mull. Lunch at Funiary rocks. Explored both bays. Managed to get a table at the Whitehouse for 7pm so went back to Lochaline. Marina busy for Roual Highland YC meet. Managed to get onto hammerhead. Lovely drinks at Lochaline Marina. Calm weather at end of day. Warm 20 degrees.

Big boat. I was skipper but allowed Munna for 3 days and Alison 1 day. Big squall coming in on last day with 27kt winds. Did fuel pontoon but made contact with another boat coming in to berth. Bent stanchion covered by insurance. Should have been better on bow thruster.

150 NM trip beyond Ardnamurchan point, round the small isles and back. Managed to leave Dunstaffnage 5pm and overnight in Lochaline. So on Sunday rounded Ardnamurchan point and had lunch in Sanna bay. Windy with 1m swell but exciting. The southerly continued strong so we went right round and down to Singing sands to shelter overnight. Wonderful beaches and quiet night in anchor. Amazing trip then round Eigg, Rum, Canna, Muck and back via Tobermory. Saw 30kt winds, thick fog, sunshine, minke whales, Puffins and seals. Learnt to be better with radar through necessity! Got back safe with a great sense of achievement as we’d been anxious about being the other side of Ardnamurchan.

Light winds. Did a bit of MOB drill under sail and engine. Anchored at the island and tested outboard/ tender. Lovely reach back. Cleaned the teak after sail.

Much more wrong than predicted. Very variable upto 22 kt. Lots of sunshine. Great day sail.

Very variable conditions. Wind up to 25kt. Got some sunshine. Thankfully didn’t rain till we got back in.