260909 Bobbing around Baron's Point

This was one of those days which looked perfect on the weather forecast but turned out 'worse' than perfect! First of all I took Moonshadow across from her swing mooring to Rhu Marina where Argyll Yacht Riggers were coming to tune up the standing rigging. This job had been outstanding all season but between holidays, illness and busy schedules it just hadn't happened. After a messy solo docking (a lesson for the training Yacht next door!) there was time for a coffee with Harry, crew for the rest of the day, before Oscar arrived to sort out the rigging. No major problems surfaced so we set off with nice tight rigging in a nice F3. We expected low and variable westerly wind as we made our way down the Gareloch to Perch Rock, and so it was, but the anticipated pick-up after clearing the peninsula didn't happen. The forecasted 10-16 knots of wind was, in reality, no more than 6 knots. It was very pleasant but not as satisfying as we'd hoped. A lunch stop in Ardentinny or Blairmore was out of the question so after 3 hours of bobbing around we had a Co-Op meal deal lunch and turned for home. There was some brief excitement when HMS St Albans steamed past, flanked by MOD police (yes, we'll stay clear, officer) and Royal Marines and we also had a fly-by from an RAF A400 but overall it was a slightly disappointing day-sail with weather too benign for 'sailing'!