Arduainie

Took Isobel down to Glenalmond for a hockey goalkeeping camp on Monday morning, weather was wet to put it mildly.  Thankfully there was a break in the weather about  4pm so we went down to Arduainie for a walk round the gardens.  It was still pretty dark and overcast but was good to get out.

Seafood Temple

Went to the Seafood Temple in Oban for a celebratory meal Friday evening, celebrating Julie's half century and Isobel's results.  A fabulous evening weather wise allowing us to enjoy what must be one of the West Coasts best settings for a restaurant.

Cycling at Crinan

Spent Friday cycling from Crinan to Ardrishaig and back.  For once it was dry (well most of the time!) if a little overcast.  We fueled up in the cafe at Crinan basin, the lemon layer cake was particularly good.

8As

Results day needless to say dawned early and it was a very happy Isobel with a clean sweep of 8As.

So what did she spend the day doing?  Motoring out of the marina into the teeth of a steady force 5/6 gusting up to 7/8 and horizontal rain, the boat had a significant heal without any sails up.  After half an hour motoring to the start, just as we were seriously questioning the wisdom of even being out there yet alone racing in such conditions the race committee came on the radio and cancelled racing for the day so it was another half hour bounce back to the marina.

But she did get a very fine cake baked by Julie!

WHYW, Craobh To Oban Race

Better day today, a good start though I say it myself, definitely in amongst the thick of it and a better result at the end of the day beating our two main rivals from the previous 2 days.  Fabulous weather as well with a good breeze and even some sunny spells.  With the long run from Ardluing up to the south end of Kerrera our new whisker pole definitely came into its own (once we got the hang of setting it up).  All in all a great days racing.

As ever, thanks go to the long suffering owner Ian for putting up with the rest of us and our incessant requests for new sails, a gennaker or even a new boat!

WHYW, Round Shuna Race

Sunday was the Shuna race, twice round Shuna Island.  Winds had abated a bit and the rain stayed away for most of the race so a bit more civilised.  There were definite thoughts that we should perhaps have hauled the boat out and scrubbed the bottom, or was that just bad workmen blaming the tools!  The helmsman (me) has to take some of the blame having misjudged the approach to one of the marks and ending up doing two extra fairly costly tacks! The mark was an island so would not have done to have hit it!

WHYW, Oban to Craobh Feeder Race

Isobel and I had a great 4 days racing in West Highland Yachting Week.  First up was the feeder race from Oban to Craobh a long beat into a southerly which got a little boisterous at times and we were definitely overpowered at times and it was only when we got two reefs in both main and genoa that the boat felt really balanced, the result reflected it!  No photos from the beat down to Ardluing as it was a bit lively and I was too busy helming!  As you can see, the final run up to Craobh was a little more relaxed.

Pitmedden

Julie, Margaret and the girls had a trip across to Pitmedden garden last week before Margaret headed back to Wales. As can be seen from the photos a lot of fun was had by all!

Flowers At Cottage

Arrived at the cottage to find the roses and plants in the planters in full bloom although the roses elsewhere in the garden are still shivering and refusing to come out for understandable reasons!  Here are a few photies.