Ellie's Birthday Party

Ellie had a belated birthday party yesterday.  With her birthday being in the middle of the school holidays her friends are invariably away at the time so this year she waited till they were all back at school before having a party.

Yesterdays entertainment was the "Go Ape" treetop course at Crathes, for some strange reason Isobel and her boyfriend Dean also wanted to get in on the act.  Here are a few photos.

Ellie, Charlotte, Erin and Hannah

Isobel making a complete hash of the rings section

Ellie asked Julie for a colorful cake, she got one!!

Celebrations

Celebrated Isobel's results on Tuesday, 4As and a B, and as all scientists will know the B doesn't count as it was in English which isn't a proper subject anyway so it was really just 4As!!

Geoffrey came to join in the celebrations and enjoyed his beer.

Trust Julie to have left over Xmas crackers to celebrate with!

Monday, Easdale Island

Definite improvement in the weather today although still somewhat breezy.  Went over to Easdale Island for a walk and of course some stone skimming.  As ever lunch at the Puffer Bar was first class, venison burger and chips!

Came home and as the wind was at last dropping a bit we went for a spin in the RIB, round via Craobh Haven,, across to the Corrievreckan and then the Grey Dogs before coming home via Sound of Shuna as the Firth of Lorn was still pretty rough.

Sunday 7th

A truly wild day today, Force 6 gusting 7-8 and plenty of white horses about!  Plenty rain as well for that matter!

Took the opportunity of getting some jobs done, spent the morning pressure hosing the patio and got thoroughly soaked but have a very clean patio to show for my labours.  Meanwhile the female contingent were inside baking..........and the end results tasted as good as they look.  Strawberry and basil cake with balsamic vinegar, recipe courtesy of Primrose Bakery.

Saturday Cycle at Crinan

Went down to Crinan for a cycle today.  Started the day with coffee at the coffee shop at the Basin.  Ellie and I cycled all the way down to Ardrishaig and back, 15 miles all told, and it has to be said I was not holding back and she was keeping up!

Having burnt off a few calories we felt it was a night for the fish and chip shop in Oban to refuel!

Thursday

Had an active day today, up early to catch the high tide for launching the rib and popping it onto the mooring.  Did a quick shakedown cruise through Cuan on route to the mooring to charge up the batteries.

Ellie then kindly lent a hand grouting the tiles on the patio and after that it was off to Benderloch for a cycle down Loch Etive and then up over the hill to Barcaldine before returning along the cycle track to Benderloch and on to Poppies for lunch.

 

Isobel and I closed up the day with an evening Kayak up to the Bridge over The Atlantic on the evening high tide.

Firth of Lorn Races

Tuesday was our last day of racing in West Highland Week and was a round the cans race off Kerrera and Seil in the Firth of Lorn.  The start was just south of the north entrance to Oban bay and the first leg was a tight reach down to Bach Island.  We adopted our usual tactics of maximum speed on the middle of the line aiming for clear air and it again paid dividends with us third at the first mark.  The beat was again a struggle and we were soon in the usual parking lot in the third / fourth legs but the wind filled in for a final beat to the shortened course.

The day was finished off in perfect fashion with a meal at Piazza for the full crew and shore party!  Thanks go to Ian for providing the boat, Tom for providing supper at Piazza and for Tom, Jim and Isobel for putting up with the helmsman!