What we have been doing

2007

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2009

2010

2011

Monday 4th July, Achill Sound---Woke ti a bonny sunny day wi a very strong flood rushin in.The plan is ti enjoy the fine morning, check oot the charts for Westport ,tak water at the jeety an leave aboot 11am. We let go at the back o' 11 an flew oot on the ebb wi nae problems an as Clare Is. is only twa mile awa we hid a gentle sail across ti the anchorage there. As we've found a' roon the nw, there were moorins laid here asweel bit this anes were massive, which tells a story. It looks like they git a bit a swell here sometimes.
Although Clare Island, the hame o' the 16th century pirate Grace O'malley, wid be good for wakin an cyclin there are only a few scattered hooses an 2 cafes aroon the hairber so we hid a short wak, lunch an back oot ti the boat.The forecast wis southerly 5/6 for later in the efterneen so we set aff east toward Wesport at the heid a Clew Bay. It wis aboot 9 miles ti Inishbort Lt so we hid a fine beam reach a' the wye. Aince thru the channel at Inishbort the heid a Clew Bay has an area o' many , maybe 20/25 islets coverin aboot 3 x3 miles wi 4 ti 8 metres roon thim wi Westport at the sooth end up a lang buoyed channel ti the toon. Thirs dryin berths at the al' pier alongside piles. Onywye, am afore masel. The ebb wis on as we passed the licht an I chickened oot an went roon some sma islands an picked up the last moorin at Collanmore Harbour the hame a Mayo YC. It wis a big anchorage wi nae piers or pontoons except for the club jeety. Plenty dinghies o' a' types fleein aboot. We need some stores an fuel so will try ti git roon ti Westport on the morning tide. Thir wis a strong win a' nicht bit it shiftet ti the wsw an eased bi morning.
Tues 5th-Jist afore high water we drapped the moorin an headed for Westport. It wis an interestin 5 mile motor thru islands wi bouys an perches a' the wye. Mo ti the fore again. We tied up ti the al' quay at a ladder atween twa piles so the board is oot again. A few boats dee fishin trips fae there an ae lad, Austen, drove me up the toon for fuel. We waited till Lotus took the bottom an lyin ok then went ashore for a wanner roon. Efter a lovely meal at O'Malley's we crossed the road ti Matt Malloy's where we managed ti git a seat in the very busy pub.Thir wis a rare al' lad singin an reciting stories nonstop til nearly 10 then the band started. Wow. 2 fiddles, mandolin, banjo, bodrum/moothie, guitar/singer. Great atmosphere an it wis still gan strong fin we left at 12ish!!. Responsibility lies heavy sometimes. Been a good nicht in bonny authentic places.
Wed 6th---Woke ti a bonny morning and efter breakfast we went inti the toon ti git gas an find a laundry. Mo drapped aff the bag an hid a wanner roon the shops while I looked for gaz. Efter spennin a few pleasant oors gan roon historic Westport we picked up wir gaz(cheap), laundry an some stores an headed doon ti the boat. The lang quay suggested a bit a coaster traffic in days gone by bit it's left ti the pleasure?? boats an shoals a grey mullet that were in the fit or twa a water at low tide. We strolled thru the Westport House grounds ti the hotel far The Grace O'Malley Show wis on at 9pm. Thir wis a fair queue waitin for the doors ti open so we hid a good yarn we fowk fae Jersey USA who wir toorin roon Ireland wi a curn o' thir freens . Good crack they were asweel. The show, that wis hale, good telt the story o pirate Grace wi music, song an dance an a' the the cast were fae County Mayo. They were a' good bit the dancers were special. Went back ti the "Helm" at the hairber bit cwidna hear the singer for a Henny Party which is like a Stagger bit a lot louder!! As the licht win had shifted an wis bla'in aff the pier I got up a couple a times ti check the ropes an fenders. Athin fine.
Thurs 7th---Mo wis affa keen the climb ti Croagh Patrick bit it wis rainin an my knee wis playin up!! Many thoosans, 70 / 80 on one special day dee the 3 / 4 oor trek on thir pilgrimage ti the chapel at the top. We decided ti move on towards Inishboffin so efter a latish breakfast we let go at 11 an toddled doon the river on the ebb passin Inishbort at 12 in a flat calm. It wis very misty bit we cid see the track ti the top a Croagh Patrick disappearin inti the clouds. Thank you knee !!
As we went west oot a Clew Bay we passed atween some submerged rocks/shalls an even wi the very slight swall they manage ti pit on an impressive show for Mo. At aboot 3pm we came on Austen's boat so we went alongside ti thank him an wish him a' the best an cairet on in a sma chop ti Inishboffin . The leadin marks for the anchorage are twa big white towers that guide yi in thru the rocky entrance passin very close ti twa big rocks on yir starboard han an openin up ti a bonny sheltered basin wi a wee neukie further in. Went alongside a SCOD ti inquire aboot the moorin situation an the man suggested we pick up a moorin an inform the barman at the pub (Days famous bar that his a permanent late licence) an he'll inform the owner. Anither typical welcome. By the way, the Inish in the place names means island. We rowed ashore ti the beach aside the pub an went in ti tell the barman fit moorin we were on. His reply wis "Oh that's Kerry's one but he's not using it so stay as long as you want". As we were there we had a Murphy's an a meal (affa good) an hid a yarn wi Dick fae the SCOD who is oot fae Galway for a curn weeks. He left efter haein a meal an as we rowed back later on he puttered back in again ti enjoy the music!! Thir wis a lot a fowk gan aboot as thir wis a widdin in the big kirk aside the pub next day
28 interestin miles the day wi a weakish tide a' the wye.
Frid 8th July---Bonny sunny morning bit wind nae suitin so decided ti bide anither day an hae a wak aboot the island. We hid been telt the kirk wis affa bonny decorated an on lookin in we saw that wis surely the case.The widdin wis at 1.30 so decided ti hae a coffee an wait ti see the ongoe . The groom an best men arrived fae the hotel, twa hunner yards aw on bikes, the groom on a tandem. This cid be interestin. Accordin ti Mo thir wis some lovely styles an high heels. The bride wi her father an twa bridesmaids strolled fae the hotel bang on time. We lay on the grassy bank an waited till they came oot an sure enuf the new mairret couple set aff on the tandem ti the reception.We then set off roon the east quarter o' the island along narra roads passin a few al' hooses alang the wye. As we usually dee we went inti an al' church graveyard an spoke ti a man who wis preparing a grave site for fit wis gan ti be a family grave. Hale rough grun it wis tee. He telt us far we micht hear ane o' the sivin corncrakes that were on the island es eer. We niver heard them. The east side o' Inishboffin has bonny white sanny beaches. We took a left an headed up the hill back towards the anchorage an hid fine views o' it as we started doon again.Had a Murphy's an rowed oot ti Lotus. Derry who sailed an al' sixties 30 footer an wis on a moorin in the nuekie an hid been oot fishin, came alongside wi twa lythe or pollack for wir supper. He came aboord for a beer an a yarn an telt us that he came fae the mainland but since his wife had died he spent a lot o' the summer on Inishboffin.A dinna blame him. We'd niver tasted lythe bit I filleted thim an they were first class wi a new tattie. Ashore again at 8.45 for twa pints an met the crew o' a forty fit Beneteau whose skipper had worked at Marine Lab Aberdeen many years ago and had a very interestin an varied life. Good crack in "Days" again. They were headin for Roundstone the next day as were Dick and us.
Sat 9th---Woke ti brilliant sunshine. Dick rowed across ti hae a yarn aboot the islands we wid be passin thru an we sailed at 11am It wis a gran sail in company till we were a few miles past Slyne Hd and the wind died leavin a lumpy motion so we motorsailed the last curn miles ti Roundstone passin many rocks an shoals awash bit they were a' charted. We picked up a very heavy moorin (rope) at 5pm an efter wir mince an tatties, rowed ashore ti hae a look at the al' village, meetin up wi Dick in ane o' the many pubs. The village wis very busy wi fowk fae the North haein a weeks holiday ti avoid the 12th July celebrations ?? at hame. As Dick came fae this area he wis a hive a information so over a pint we got the history o' Roundstone an the islands. Apparently, the sma hairber wis designed by Nimmo in 1825 and is a copy o' Anstruther. Latish night!
28 miles.
Sun 10th-Anither beautiful morning. Dick came across ti hae a look at the Admiralty charts on wir laptop an bade for lunch. We watched the Gaway Hookers git organized for a race an fit a sight it wis. 25 ti 40 fit immaculate black boats, maistly athoot engines, shiftable stane ballast, massive sail area, crewed bi four ti six lads wi great skill an nae a loud voice ti be heard. Efter the 18 Hookers set aff, Dick sailed roon the islands ahin thim ti the race finish far they hid food an a bit o' a party laid on. We went ashore ti the Connemara Pony an Dog show an were a bit surprised at the large attendance. Nae much o' a judge a horses bit they a' looked bonny,fit an frisky.especially the anes wi five legs. Ae lad wis dragged along the grun fin his ane took aff. Stayed ashore for wir very good supper an rowed oot for an early nicht.
Mon 11th--- Rose at siven ti ANITHER bonny sunny morning an efter breakfast rowed ashore ti hae a look at a clock tower which we cid see fae the boat at the sooth end o' the village.Turned oot that it wis a' that wis left o' a monestary in a very well looked efter area wi craft shops an gairdens. We got milk an money which wisna easy ti get as the village wis busy an the one machine ran oot afore denner time, rowed oot an slipped wir moorin at 10am. Dick led us doon thru the islands o' the inner passage then bore awa mare southerly for the Aran Isles while we headed east for Galway wi the option o' stopping for a nicht at Rossaveal, a fishin hairber wi an anchorage a mile across fae it. Dick phoned his freen the HM an arranged an alongside berth for us so we went up the loch an wis directed ti lie aside a 40ft power cruiser or pigboat as the yanks ca' thim. There wis a few biggish trawlers there bit less than I expected which has been the case a' doon the west coast where we've hardly seen a boat. Difficult EU regs here as at hame. We wannert up the road for a mile or so an cwidna git ower the amount a stane dykes, sma paddocks wi a curn sheep,coos,ponies an donkies. Went in ti see the Hm on wye back ti pye wir dues bit it wis waived. He suggested we go up a different road for 15/20 meenits in the evenin ti an al' traditional pub so later on we hid a pleasant stroll up a windy road for haf an oor an nae sign o' the pub. Mo speered a lad in es gairden hu far it wis an he said it wis only anither twa mile !! We decided ti cairy on an five meenits later the lad drove up in a hale al' car an offert us a lift. The pub wis a bonny al' thatched place wi a peat fire gan an abody, young an al' spoke Irish. We hung aroon langer than we shid've hopin the lad wid gie us a lift back ,bit no, he jist supped awa wi his freens .It took us an oor ti wak back bit it wis a bonny nicht.
26 interestin miles again
Tues 12th---Sailed 8am bound Galway. We managed ti sail for an oor then wis headed wi a licht easterly. We thocht aboot missin oot Galway an headin for the Aran Isles but Mo decided we shid cairy on ti Galway so motored close along the coast an picked up a waitin moorin ti wait for the gates ti open an oor afore high water. We entered wi twa ither boats an got a berth on the lang pontoon in the busy basin far we cid see twa big research boats an some biggish coasters. Mo met a lassie in the showers fa hid sailed wi five men fae Iceland, stopping at Stornawa' then Galway an were headin hame ti Iceland nonstop efter a couple a days. Nae for her she says. Poor attitude div yi nae think??. We're hopin ti bide for 2/3 days an see fit happens efter that.
22 miles.
John Smith
Lotus

Due to going back offshore on the 22nd of March and being away for club craning day along with having Fantastique almost ready for lifting in at Loch Creran on my return, we decided to see if MacDuff shipyards had a crane passing while I was at home to lift Fusion 2 into Finechty harbour once again.
The crane was available on the Friday afternoon around 3pm so Fusion 2 and Big Mac of Southpool were lifted in on a cracking day for the time of year.
Bert was available to step our mast with his "A" frame so we had the mast secured by dark on the Friday evening and Fusion floated off the beach and across to her berth.
Saturday morning Mairi, George Craigen and myself were down for an early start to tension the rigging and get the sails on in the hope of getting out on the water for a while. By mid morning we were ready to go and with a good fresh westerly breeze and we decided to head down to Whitehills along with George in "About Time" who had spent a couple of overnight stays in Finechty while helping us to get Fusion 2 ready. Banff Sailing Club had a quiz & pizza night at the clubhouse that night so we set off out of Finechty to blow away the winter cobwebs, and blow away they did with around 20 & occasionally 25kts of westerly behind us. With just over half of the jib unfurled we were soon seeing a steady 6kts boat speed as we headed down the coast having a half hour sailing in the shelter of Cullen bay on the way down.
We were in Whitehills mid afternoon and had a couple of refreshments before getting showered and heading round to Banff to the quiz night which was good crack and as always great to catch up with some of the Banff squad once again.
Sunday had a mixed forecast and before we went down there we thought that we might have to leave Fusion 2 on the visitors pontoon until the start of the week so when we woke up to a really bonnie sunny morning with a light Southwesterly we decided to make the most of it and have a coffee then head back while the going was good so we set out of Whitehills set full sail and had a great sail back up the coast to Finechty, it was a cool air although sunny but it felt brilliant to be back out enjoying some effortless sailing on such a fine day.
I had mentioned to George that I was thinking about taking Fusion up to Lossie for the 3 weeks I was due to be offshore so always ready for a sail George was there and ready to go at 11am Monday morning. We left Finechty in a fine SW breeze of around 10 - 15kts and it was dull but mild, having set just under half of the jib and 3rd reef in the main as the forecast was for the wind to freshen we were soon underway and before we could stop the engine it stopped its`self. After a couple of minutes I fired it up again and it ran without a hitch for the next ten minutes so thinking that whatever the problem was it had seemed to clear and everything was running fine so we shut it down and continued on our way.
As per the forecast it got fairly squally crossing Speybay and we were making quite a bit of leeway to the North of Lossie harbour and a couple of miles off, the wind was gusting in the 30knts + & sea conditions were picking up so we decided to start the engine to assist us getting in to Lossie and that's when the problems started.
I started the engine which ran for about a minute and stopped, started it again and same problem so I checked to see if there was fuel getting through the fine filter and nothing, I tried priming with the lift pump while George helmed and not a drop of fuel was getting through so checked my way back through the fuel line to see if I could find the problem with limited success so decided on a change of plan. I had recently bought a fuel primer bulb from Ebay to keep in the tool box in case of such an event so now was as good a time as any to try it out , I cut through the fuel line where it exits the tank and first pumped air through into the tank to make sure that the suction line was clear then fitted the bulb the right way round to pump fuel through to the engine, having disconnected the fuel line from the water trap first. I asked George to pump the fuel bulb so that I could go below and see if any fuel came through but as he pumped the primer bulb it started to pressure up then a couple of lumps of black diesel bug shot out of the fuel line into the bilge. I reconnected the fuel line and opened the bleed screw on the fine fuel filter and once again George pumped fuel through with the primer bulb, in no time we had a fine steady flow coming through so closed the bleed screw and after a few attempts the engine started and ran without a hitch. We motored for about 15 minutes outside the harbour entrance to make sure that everything was Ok and I called Duncan at the harbour office to let him know that we were running a bit late due to the fuel issue, Duncan kindly offered to come out on the Rib and escort us in just in case we lost power again on the way into the harbour so within minutes himself & Charles ( his new assistant ) were alongside and secured the rib to the side of Fusion 2. As it happened we motored in with them alongside with no further issues but it was good to have them there for peace of mind.
I went up to Lossie next day to do a few jobs and let the engine run for about 4 hours, it started and ran without a hitch and has been no problem since. Having the fuel primer bulb onboard certainly saved the day as far as starting the engine was concerned as the amount of pressure applied to clear the blockage in the line would not have been possible without it so that was £5 well spent and onboard when I needed it. You never know when a problem like that will occur so I just thought I would let everybody know how such a cheap and basic tool helped out on the day. Our options with the fresh SW wind was a sail back into Buckie but that would have been a lot of hours on the water to just get a couple of miles along the coast.
Neil,
Fusion 2.

wis too cal an weet so we went ti the Glen Hotel for lunch an took the 3pm ferry back across.The ferries use the main north channel which is narra bit has plenty water. Thirs been enough rain as rot a chine so the heatin's on ti dry oot. A sma bus meets the 9.20am ferry an goes ti Letterkenny,the nearest big toon so the plan is ti hae a day there as we need ti sort oot wir phones an a dongle for wir laptop. I nivver thocht I wid say that!! Sign o' the times eh
Wed 22nd-We got goin at 9.30 efter pickin up 6 fowk fae the ferry.The bus stopped at Dungloe ti pick up anither 4 an ae equine speart the driver ti wait till she feenished her fag. Double parked asweel. Donegal County is really bleak wi peatbogs an massive boulders a' ower. Thirs plenty bonny new hooses bit diggin foons must be a problem. It took an oor an a half ti dee the 25 miles ti Letterkenny as we nivver went mare than 40 mph. Letterkenny is a fairly big toon wi athin there including a Voda shop far we got the phones sorted oot bit nae the dongle.We wannert aboot an while Mo did a bit a shoppin I hid a yarn wi a lad sellin fish fae a van.Good crack an seems that the Irish fishin industry has the same EU problems as us. The time a waitin for the bus we went inti an al' pub for a pint. Very much IRA. Photo's o' a' thir past heroes including the hunger strikers. Yi wid hae ti watch yir p's an q's on a nicht oot there !!. Back on wir scenic journey ti Burtonport , nae rush.
For ae reason or anither we baid at Burtonport for a week. We met an affa fine lad fae the north who had a bonny hoose on Rutland Is which is aboot haf a mile fae Burtonport and as he wisna usin his car he offered it ti us for a few days.We toured aboot Donegal an visited some bonny wee hairbers along the rocky shore and took the chance ti hae a look at places we planned ti visit includin Portnu an Killebegs. Portnu looked bonny bit a bit exposed an Killebegs the big fishin hairber looked affa run doon.We met an al' lad there who hidna a good werd ti say aboot it so we think we'll gei it a miss .
Mon 27th June-Rose early ti a bonny morning so decided ti leave at 1200.Topped up water an phoned the HM ti pay wir dues but he said he widna be doon the day an we cwid pay next year.Am thinkin thirs a lesson for some fowk here!! We were met bi Laird, the man wi the car, on his boat jist aff his hoose on the island an got a guide richt oot the north channel.Hae a job findin a mare generous ,helpful man.
Because it's shalla ti the sooth o' Aran we were gan oot roon the north end and fin we opened up the soon it got a bit chavie wi a fresh wsw win. Aince roon the licht we managed ti sail wi twa reefs in the main an a bit a jib an tho it wis hale bouncy we hid a good sail ti Church Pool on the deserted island o' Inishkeel far we picked up a moorin at 4pm an hid the bay ti wirsels. Efter soup an a nap we rowed ashore ti hae a look at the kirk ruins an hae a wak. The island wis covered in lush grass an supported 20 or 30 muckle coos. We hid a bairns moment fin we thocht a bul wis headin for's !! Thir wis a good curn big slab heidstanes in the kirkyard wi latest ane that I cid read , dated 1841. Clearance/famine time. Sat in the cockpit enjoyin the bonny evenin.
28th-Up at 7 an drapped the moorin at 9.30. Fresh sw win the day so towin the dinghy as I thocht we micht retreat bit Mo his on er bands the day an keen ti cairy on. The win headed us on ivery 10 degree alteration a' the wye roon ti Malin More Hd.We were forced ti tak the dinghy aboord as it wis gittin heavy an jerkin on the pushpit.Conditions were grim bit Mo coped aricht.We bore awa 4 points at the Head an picked up speed ti 5 kts.Lotus gave a biggish heave an a lurch an took a fair bit a water inti the cockpit ( the first I've seen) an we got soaked ti the draaers.I dinna think it wid've happened if I hid been steerin instead o' the pilot. Picked up a moorin in Teeling inlet at 5pm. Heatin on an haein the first dram(toddy) for a week.
28 very hard miles the day.
Drapped wir moorin at 11am an headed across Donegal Bay for Mullaghmore 11 miles awa. A lovely sail across , wsw wind an course wis se Mo steered a' the wye in fine sunny wither an we picked up a moorin jist aff the hairber entrance.Plenty youngsters oot racin thir dinghies.We rowed ashore ti the pontoon in the bonny tidal hairber that had aboot 40 boats, maistly on moorins. We hid a meal at the Beach Hotel (Fitins an chips for me) an sat lookin oot at Lotus in a bonny settin.We arranged for a lift the 3 miles ti Cliffony ti git the bus ti Donegal Town the morn.
30th June-Plenty rain durin the nicht bit a fine morning fin we rowed ashore for wir lift.The lassie in the tourist info at Bundoran telt us that we are moored at the spot far Mountbatten wis blown up. Nae mowse. Spent the day at Donegal Town visitin the castle an did the tour wi a very knowledgable an interestin young guide. Jist afore we got the bus back we met a curn Buckie fowk that were on a bus tour.Sma world, good job abody wis sober!!
Arrivin back at Cliffony we walked the 4 k ti Mullaghmore an hid wir supper at the hotel an wis back on the boat aboot 9.30. It's been a good day.
Frid 1st July-Quiet nicht and light southerly win at breakfast time.We sailed aff the moorin at 10am bound for Killala Bay. I wis hopin ti lay wir coorse bit nae luck so micht hae ti go outside Inishmurray Is. It wis a fine sail in the sun until I got a fleg as the water shalled up ti 3mtrs quick kine a good mile aff the island. I had read aboot the risk o' uncharted rocks aff the west coast a here wis an example. Nae good for the hert. The win died awa so motored on meetin a big baskin shark gan east. We anchored aff Rathlackan pier wi the new Manson in 6 metres. Thirs nae a village here bit seemed ti be a lot a families there haein a party wi a' the bairns jumpin in till efter 8pm. An al' lad an es loon came tee on thir wye in fae fishin partans an mackerel. They used ti work at the building in winter an then ful time building in the boom. Nae mare building noo. The celtic tiger has been shot!!
Did 30 mile the day.
Lifted the anchor at 8am in a bonny morning an headed for Broadhaven. 12/14 kts southerly wind gustin a bit aff the cliffs bit we managed ful sail an were rompin along fine. Passin Downpatrick Hd we saw 8 lads fishin fae the top aboot 40 metres up. Flyin fish maybe?
Passin inside The Stags the win tickled up a bit an as we gradually came roon inti the Bay an steered sooth it wis on the nose an the tide wis against us asweel so progress wis hale slow the last 5 miles. The win wis richt doon the loch so thir wisna much shelter bit we tucked in ahin a wee spit an drapped the pick in 4 metres nae far fae a Bowman 40. Lyin fine so gled ti git a bit a peace. An oor later a Malo 43 came in an anchored atween us at the 3rd attempt.The win wis up ti 25/30 kts noo so relaxed an had a look at the charts ti consider wir options. We're hopin ti reach Westport bit wir nae movin till the win eases.
Sun 3rd July-A better morning so sailed aff wir anchor at 8am an had good sail across the bay ti Erris Hd far we opened up the wide grey ocean. It wis sw 2/3 bit thir wis a fair bit a swall as we passed Eagle Is. an it stayed like that a' the wye sooth. We were passin a wild dramatic coast wi cliffs an rocks an breakers inside o' us wi the 2 metre Osbourne Shoal bein the star othe show. We passed half a mile outside o' it an it went fae rollers gan ower it ti massive waves rearin up. Mo thocht it wis a scary place an I agreed. We plodded on ti Achill Hd an altered awa ti the se for Achill Sound wi all sail an goin well. We came inti AchillSoons tricky entrance wi the last o' the flood an picked up a moorin jist aff the al' castle. Fit a bonny place. Rowed ashore an had a good yarn wi a local lad who hid lived there for 72 eer. Anither lad fa'd rowed in fae es boat offered ti run us the 2mile ti the local an pick us up at 10.30. Wir meetin fine fowk a' the time. The pub wis quiet bit nae winner as the drinks wir a fiver each. Newsed wi Sean a file at the pier then oot ti the boat in a flat calm so sat a file an enjoyed the bonny peaceful nicht. The plan is ti head for Westport via Clare Is. the morn
Distance the day wis 44 miles an maist o' it wis powky

John Smith
Lotus

On 3rd February Neil and I were invited for a sail with George Craigen on About Time, a Bavaria 32 that berths at Whitehills Marina. The forecast predicted "wall to wall sunshine" in and around the Moray Firth and that is exactly what we got.

The decks were a bit slippery with ice prior to our departure due to the dip in temperature overnight but we donned our all in one flotation suits which we purchased in Norway a few years ago and we were as warm as toast, well everything apart from our fingers!

We headed out into Banff Bay in a south, southeasterly breeze of 6 knots and once we got the sails out, A.T. was ambling along at 4.4 knots of boat speed. Our mission for the day was to take at look at the Maersk Resilient jack up rig, which was lying 1.5 miles north of Tarlair. The rig had been there for a couple of weeks at N 57deg 42' by W 02deg 27' whilst awaiting a tow to a drilling contract with Conoco Phillips in the North Sea.

Lunch consisted of Mairi's homemade broth and we ate this whilst sailing along in the warm sunshine towards Tarlair at boat speeds of 4.7 to 5 knots. The radio was on scan and we hard the anchor handler "Pacific Blade" chatting with the oil rig, George knows the skipper of the boat so he called them up on the radio and they confirmed they were waiting on site in order to move the oilrig. After taking loads of photos of the rig from just outside the 500m exclusion zone, we headed down to Collie Head, just short of Troup Head where we finally lost the wind and turned around to head back up the coast towards the oil rig which had now been joined by the anchor handler, Highland Valour and the tug, Bugsier 9. We passed by the rig again on the south side at 5.4 knots of boat speed and 191.8deg south by west wind, which was now blowing at 8 knots. The temperature was a balmy 8 degrees! However, as time wore on the temperature started to drop. Despite the blazing sunshine the temperature dropped to 3 degrees when we still had 2.9 miles to sail back to Whitehills.

It was a great day out and we had a loud blast (with sing along of course) of "Wish you were Here" by Pink Floyd on George's Ipad as we passed Banff Marina. The total distance covered by About Time for the day was 18.26 miles and we were out on the water sailing for 5 hours in total.

We have had a cracking spell of sailing weather of late and I hope that some of you have managed to get out there and enjoy some of it. In the meantime, Neil and I can't wait to get Fusion II back in the water and get sailing again.

Mairi Innes

Sunday 12th June--It wis a beautiful sunny morning fin we left Port Ellen.ESE win f2/3 so ful sail an beam reachin towards Coleraine.We bored the tide the 1st twa oors then romped along touchin 7.5 at times. Plenty birds ,especially gannets commin fae the west.The win freshened up a' day an the last oor it wis 6 or 7. It wis a stiff punch up the dredged channel in the river against the wind bit we were on the pontoon at 2pm. Probably the best sail so far. Plenty bouys fae the entrance a' the wye up the 4 miles so Mo wis navigator. Distance-36 miles.
As we were gan the leave the boat there for a few days while we went ti the Southampton Workboat Show, the hairbermaister gave us an inside berth clear o' the stream.
Next morning we headin inti the toon ti check train times for Belfast Airport and the bus times for wir jaunt ti the Giants Causeway. We hopped on the Cauesway Rambler and went first ti the Rope Bridge an then back ti the Causeway. It wis a 40 meenit walk ti the bridge which wis ower a short stretch a water ti an island teemin wi birds. The watter wis a clear blue an wi the fite cliffs made a bonny photo. Sare knees an puffed afore we got back up ti the café and the bus ti the Causeway. Anither 40 min walk, lang wye doon an a langer wye back, bit worth ivery step. Wiv seen mony photos o' the rock formations bit seein the extent o' it wis a bit o' a surprise. All in all a very educational an enjoyable trip wi a bit a exercise thrown in.
Back at the marina there wis a naming ceremony for 3 new rowin boats an 2 dinghys for Portrush Sea Cadets. The the lads an lasses took the boats on the river while the dignitaries looked on fae the clubhouse.
We packed oor bags for Southampton an had a toddy. It had been a good day.

Tues 14th-Got a lift to the station fae a local lad who had selt his hoose an lived aboord his 40ft Spray waitin for takin aff fin his wife retired!!. The train went richt ti Belfast Airport so wis affa handy. So it wis car-train-plane-train-walk - digs at Southampton. The Work Boat Show wis really good an I saw fit I wanted ti see an met fa I wanted ti meet wi a social thrown in. Mo hid a frustratin time gan roon big malls bit wi luggage restrictions, cwidna buy onythin bit savin oor planet seems seems sensible ti me!!.Walk-train-plane-train-bus-taxi-boat.

Friday 17th June. Heavy rain so niver left the boat till efterneen fin I went for 25 litres fuel. Still rainin so we put on wir ilies an went up the road for stores. It wis aboot three pairts o' a mile ti the big Spar shop so wis a good hump back wi the stores etc.
A chap fae Falkirk who sailed his bonny boat (brass seacocks tho) fae Largs came along for a yarn. He'd been at Coleraine for three days wi his wife an 20 month al quinie an it soont like he'd deen a fair bit a sailin ower the eers. As we were planning ti sail earlyish next mornin I went up ti the office ti pye wir dues.The lad in charge did athin. He ran the marina, fuel,repairs, pilot for the coasters an wis a hale fine lad asweel.I wis charged a tenner a nicht for a serviced berth. Mo noticed I wis smiling a' the wye doon the pontoon. We hid a filie in the club that evenin an wis entertained very well bi a club member wi his guitar. The wither hisna been great up ti noo wi lots a rain.Hope it gits better or I micht be singlehandin !!!
We rose afore 6 ti thick fog bit afore we hid wir cuppa it hid cleared enough to see the nearest perches so lit go at 6.40 which wis 3hrs afore high watter an hid a gentle toddle doon the river passin the breakwaters at 7.20. Very licht win on the nose so Betty the Beta doin her bit again bit it wis good ti git goin. Passin Lough Foyle we hid a close encounter as they say,wi a minke, bit the sea has been surprisingly bare apairt fae lots a Manx Shearwaters. I hid been expectin ti pick up the west goin ebb aroon 10am bit it wis denner time afore we felt it commin on. Instead o' galivantin I shid've studied the pilot a bit mare as it clearly states that the west stream only runs 3 hours. Points deducted John. The ebb came on and the win filled in fae the north force 3 as we entered Inishtrahull Sound an wir sog picked up ti 7/8 kts as we passed Malin Hd. Many's a time have I listened ti the coast station reports fae Malin Hd an here we were passin it. Passin the head we picked up oor course for Sheep Haven (sw) and the win backed to nw an tickled up a force or twa wi a bit a swall so we hid a fine sail for the last 24 mile ti Downies Bay pickin up a"visitors" moorin at 5.15.We found that Locals occasionally claimed visitors moorins an this wis ane o' thim bit thir wis plenty mare. Tidied up an hid a nip.It's been a langish kine a day made so wi the haze maist o' the wye cutting the viz. Onywye the heatin an the soup is on an wir haein a fine yarn an listenin ti good Irish music. Distance the day aboot 52 miles an wis probably too much ti be hale enjoyable.I suppose we cwid've stopped at Loch Swilly or Mulroy bay but we were keen ti git roon the corner an hopefully git better wither.

Sunday 19th. Fathers Day. Fresh breeze fae the west an glass risin. Hid a late breakfast,opened ma cards an sat watchin the shore an a bonny 62ft vivier crabber at the pier.I think he must've landed during the nicht. Wind in the efterneen still too fresh for rowin ashore so enjoyed the very good radio programmes an red a bit.Glass still risin an light easterly forecast for the morn. It got a bit cooler so went doon an hid a nap.This is cruising noo. Woke up cal kine so hid second days broth an that sorted it. Nae much gan on ashore so jist relaxed. Mo says its been a tryin day bit she niver jumped ower the side !!
Monday-Up early ti a beautiful sunny morning. I tichint the new fan belt an the jubilees on the exhaust afore we hid a cup a tae an rowed ashore at 8am. Downies is an affa bonny spread oot village/toon wi a lot a very nice holiday homes ,mony o' thim owned bi fowk fae the north that spent a' thir spare time in the sooth ti git awa fae the bather. We spoke ti the couple fae the north that had a hoose there an kept their boat on the moorin that we had went on fan we had arrived!!.Fine fowk an gave us lots a info. Efter gittin papers an loaf,milk an sultanas for poltice pudding we hid a wak back along a lovely beach ti the pier far thir wis a sma memorial garden to those who been lost at sea. It wis the first of many we saw on oor trip
We were back aboord at 10.45, hid wir breakfast an sailed aff the moorin at 11.30. Lovely sunny day wi NE 3/4 so hid a fine beam reach ti Horn Hd afore bearin awa for Keelasmore Sound atween Inisboffin an Inishdooey. The plan had been ti visit Tory Is. which is 10/11 mile aff bit we'll hae ti go there next time. We were goosewinged noo bit were soon in the windshadow o' the high, dramatic cliffs so slowed doon a bit. Efter passin through the narra soon we stemmed up Bloody Foreland, anither famous headland, still goosewinged bit win backed a bit and it got a bit rolly in the swall that niver seems ti go awa so we rolled in the genny and toddled along still makin 5.5kts s o g. Fae Bloody Foreland ti Aran Is. we passed inside a few groups a submerged rocks wi rollers brakkin ower thim. Eerie kine seein nithin an then big waves rearin up. It wis chavie kine the last oor or so until we got inti the North Sound of Aran which has an abundance a rocks. The harbour o' Burtonport is pretty hairy ti enter through ony o' its three entrances. We, or shid I say I, missed the first twa an wis gled ti pick oot the third ane which is narra an shalla. We crept in roon Rutland Is. an inti the dredged channel ti the hairber. I managed ti stray aff a bit an peer Lotus took the bottom on sand for 5 meenits or so. I wis gittin the kedge ready when she came aff ersel an we slowly crept inti the hairber. The pilot book suggests that its perhaps better ti miss oot Burtonport as it's busy kine bit sometimes yi canna go bi that, in fact I wid say maist times. We were met in the basin bi the Haibermaister in his creel boat an he pintet oot a berth an said we cwid bide as lang as we wanted. There yi are noo. We're on piles so have the board deployed. Hope it works! Distance the day-33mile

John Smith
Lotus

Sailing at Hogmanay
The sailing at the end of 2011 was not bad at all. Starting the day after the crane out I managed a number of short sails during October and November.
One of the highlights was 20th November. Neither of my regular crew could be tracked down and I found my self heading out in beautiful Autumn Sunshine with the type of very light wind you want when winter sailing.
In the distance I could see a pod of Dolphins moving away from me. In the light wind they were moving much faster than me but it was too nice a day to try and catch up with them. I need not have worried as about half an hour later another pod surrounded the boat, and stayed with me for about 40 minutes.
I got the impression that they may have been a bit disappointed in me as although I had dropped sails and started the engine I was not going fast enough for bow riding, although an occasional group looked as if they were coming in to try.
Luckily on this occasion I had my camcorder and Digital SLR so got some excellent shots of them. Click the following to take a look. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gC2GStwFjTw

The week after the weather turned and December was one storm after another. Destino was wrapped up in a cats cradle of lines and safely rode out these storms, unlike some yachts ashore, which just makes the point that it isn't just for boat security that we should take our boats ashore. Ashore and afloat both have their dangers. I shall continue to crane out every other winter for maintenance work. The plan was to have a short sail on Boxing Day or the day after, but you may have noticed one of the worst storms of the winter on Boxing Day, so we eventually managed the final sail of the year on Hogmanay. We were not out much more than an hour but we had a good south wind and the temperature was mild with a weak sun. As they wind appeared to veer to the west we decided to celebrate Hogmanay by sailing all the way into the harbour but as we approached the harbour the wind backed to South and we were headed. Admitting defeat I put the engine, which had been ticking over just in case, into gear and motored in.The sailing may be short and far apart in the winter but you will remember most of them for years to come.
Bob Chapman
Destino