Will Wrigley

Got up at about 6:20 today and decided we would head out, aiming for Rathlin island but possibly changing our course depending on the weather. We helped Arran off in the morning on his little Vancouver called Badger and left relatively soon after him. We had some really great sailing today. Had the mainsail on second reef and 2/3 of the fore sail out for 3 hours then later took the second reef out the mainsail and had it fully up which allowed us to sail at a solid 7-9 knots for a couple hours. We saw how much the leeway and tide affected us today as when we set off from Port Ellen we were pointing towards Rathlin island however we only just weathered the Mull of Kintyre. We decided that we would go to Glenarm instead of Rathlin due to the weather and tide. We tried to tack across towards Glenarm from near the end point of the Mull of Kintyre however our speed over ground wasn’t passing 3 knots really. We decided to then motor-sail the rest of the way which was about another 3-4 hours. Going across the north channel we had some huge Atlantic swells with some reaching upwards of 6 metres in hight. In the troughs of them was like a kind of wind shadow where the boat got a bit de powered. When we had the full main sail up it was a fight to stop the boat rounding to wind which was a good laugh on the tiller. At some points we were going along with the rail on the deck basically submerged. Very thrilling. We made it safely to Glenarm and had a couple beers in the sun. Currently sat in the saloon with a hot chocolate ready to go to sleep soon.

Solid force 6 gusting force 7 today. Waves were reaching over 4 metres and the sea was very confused. Very weird wave patterns. We had the main sail up on second reef to give us stability in the water and kept us on a nice angle. We were getting pretty wet from the sea breaking over the bow, but it was a good laugh. Very hard to move about and hold on due to the roughness so going downstairs was a rare occurrence to check the nav. However this day had given both me and dad confidence in the boat and how it handled the conditions. As we were coming into Port Ellen we managed to reach about 13-14 knots surfing down a wave which was impressive. We are now in Port Ellen moored on a pontoon and I’m currently eating a bacon sandwich. Well deserved! We could be here for a couple days, weather dependant.

Pulled up our anchor this morning and came out of our little anchorage. I took us out. We motored for a while with me on the tiller and then we put the auto helm on so I could do navigation and done some 3 point fixes to find the location of the boat then work out what degrees we needed to follow to get through passages. Then we went through Easdale sound which wasn’t too bad just had to like up the boat and watch for underwater rocks. Then we went through Cuan sound which wasn’t too a bit more difficult, had many under water rocks and a very strong tide so passage planning her is very important. We are on neaps but the tide gave us an extra 3.5 knots over ground but it can run up to 7 knots. The swell here really messed with the rudder. Once we were out it was an easy motor across and back to Craobh Haven, I took it the whole day today and following dad’s instructions i brought it into the birth. I did okay but we had wind pushing us off so dad and Emma had to pull on the lines a bit to bring the boat in, that’s my first time doing that so hopefully I can do some more soon and get better.

Came out of Oban and there was a bit of wind, so we decided to put the main sail up and we were motor sailing for a little bit, then we decided to put the foresail up as well and turn the engine off. We thought we would sail all the way but the wind dropped right off and we were doing about 1.3 knots over the ground. We turned the engine back on then rolled up the foresail. We motored with the main sail up for a while until we were out of the south Oban channel and into open sea where we put the foresail back up and turned the engine off. We tried to tack for a while but the wind dropped off yet again. So we motor sailed with just the main sail up the rest of the way. It was a nice sunny day as well. We saw some porpoises and seals which was nice. We then got into the anchorage and laid about 35 metres of chain out. What a lovely spot, reminded me of Sweden. We pumped the dingy up and rowed to shore. Me and dad then took the dog for a walk to the pub on the other side of the hill which was nice. Dad made beef stew on board which was nice. Opened a bottle of wine and sat on the deck on the evening sun playing uno. I also had a couple dives in the sea off the side of the boat because you just have to. Overall it’s been a good day.

Fun going down Neptunes staircase today. Nice hot sunny day again, me and Emma were on ropes while dad steered the boat. We had an elderly couple behind us on a motorboat that seemed a little inexperienced. The wife kept yelling at poor Donald 😂. Anyway we made it through the locks, starting at half 8 and getting through at about 11:40. On one of the locks dad stepped off the boat to chat to the Swedish people in front of us forgetting that the water level was dropping. I shouted to dad but by the time I did the boat was already a long way below us. We tried to walk the boat to the next lock but the tiller was full over and it wasn’t working. With no one on the boat I decided to grab the rigging and jump down onto the boat that was about 10ft below us. I then put the tiller straight and put the engine into tick over and then into neutral bringing us nicely into the next lock. Once out to sea we got the main sail up and then the foresail further along. Going through Corran Narrows we had the tidal flow with us and managed to reach about 9.2 knots. It was good sailing however the wind was a very flukey. We moored up to fill up with diesel at loch Linnhe marina which was nice. Then we made it to Oban and are currently moored up. And guess who is moored up right near us, no other than the man from the Whitehaven boat with the white beard, what a guy. Last day tomorrow, hopefully we can make the most of it.

Weather was windy and grey today. Pulled the anchor up and motored towards the loch lochy lock gates, had to wait at the top for a little bit before then we went it with 3 others. Huge red sailing boat next to us called First Lady manned by 1. Went down the canal and we are now moored at the top of neptunes staircase. Went to see the last of the boats go down the locks and saw the French lads again which was nice. Got their instagram (lezartsmarins2.0) and waved them off. Just back on the boat waiting to get some food. Down Neptunes staircase on the morning!

Early morning wake up from dad to get ready and set off. Threw on some clothes, bit warmer today as the sky was grey and wind had picked up. Got the anchor back on board and just motored to the lock gates. I thought I would end this now as we have moored up waiting for them to open but this could take a while.

Started off the day with a bit of learning, dad instructed me on how to reverse out from a mooring on a pontoon if it was a tight gap, using a spring line. I followed his instructions and managed it all okay. Yesterday I used a wooden brush to scrape off loads of barnacles from under the boat and you could feel it today. A lot less juddering on the tiller and the boat seemed to go through the water a lot easier. We were doing about a knot faster today at the same revs. It was nice and peaceful today coming up the canal towards loch lochy. Just easing it along. We are currently anchored up in a sheltered bay at the start of the loch with about 20 metres of chain out. I have been under the boat with a mask and wetsuit and the scraper removing so many more barnacles and muscles. Hopefully tomorrow we can get even faster through the water which will be good. Another scorching day.