June 7th Firth of Clyde

And the graphics........

June 7th Firth of Clyde

After a good English breakfast, 3 hours behind the laptop, I´m heading out of the harbour again. The weather is really strange and for the first time I understand what “cyclonic” means in the weather forecast. Very simple. You can expect any wind speed and any wind direction! This is what has happened! Starting with decent south and 15 knots, I saw thunder clouds and thunderbolts coming towards me only 5-6 miles away. Taking down the sail and motoring back to Troon. After half an hour the thunder clouds headed northeast (?) and I thought; maybe sailing again? Up with the sails again and heading north. What happened? First no wind, then heavy rain, then a lot of wind. I gave up. Down with the sails and back to Troon. I got a comment from a friend who saw the AIS track on a web-site: “Do you test the auto pilot”. That’s what´s friends are for. Supporting you……………

June 6th 23:15, Troon Harbour

At “home”. A quick dinner and then to bed.

June 6th 18:15, South Aisla Craig 55° 14.0´N, 5° 10,0´W

The wind is increasing and the sea has started to build up swell, around 2-2.5 meters. A short negotiation with myself, I come to the conclusion that I, in best case, will arrive in sheltered water after midnight. Then there is another hour to the anchor bay. This is what happens if you not start in time. Unfortunately it was not my fault, just some …….
Easy decision. Bear away and with the wind from astern heading towards Troon. At least I set the speed record for the boat, 16.2 knot. Wow!

June 6th 14:00, Campbeltown Harbour, Kintyre 55° 25.5´N, 5° 36,1´W

Leaving Kintyre after working for six hours. Not fun at all. The sky is blue but I´m concerned regarding the weather forecast. Force 6 is expected in the North Channel, just in my way. Heading towards Aisla Craig on a close-hauled starboard tack. The wind has shifted from south west to south and the swell is increasing.

June 5th 17:00, Campbeltown Harbour, Kintyre 55° 25.5´N, 5° 36,1´W

Time to wake up. Short walk to Tesco and buy some bread and cheese and then back. Meet the owner of a Hallberg Rassey berthed at the end of the pontoon. They have been several times sailing to the Swedish west coast. Smögen, Fiskebäckskil, Marstrand, Lilla Bommen…
It starts to rain and I´m just going in the boat when another yacht arrives. It´s getting “crowded” and boats are lying side by side in twin rows. And the rain continues…..

June 5th 11:45, Campbeltown Harbour, Kintyre 55° 25.5´N, 5° 36,1´W

Arrives early to the pontoon. I have a yacht in front of me but otherwise it´s not so many boats here. Got some help from Bob, who is the “harbour guy” here. He tells me about the facilities etc. Walking up to the Tourist Office to pay the Harbour fee. A nice lady named Jan helped me with an address to a local distillery. “Just turn right at the traffic light. You can`t miss it, it´s the only traffic light in town”. They had a distillery tour at 2pm but I wasn´t interested. Have seen some before. After tasting I bought a bottle Springbank 15y single malt. Tasted excellent. Back to the boat for a lunch and a nap.

June 5th 10:25, Carradale Bay, Kintyre 55° 29.1´N, 5° 28,3´W

Nice sailing with the wind 100 degrees from port. 16-19 knots wind gives 8-10 knots speed. Catching up the friend who anchored close. And for the first time this week I saw dolphins.

June 5th 09:15, Carradale Bay, Kintyre 55° 34.5´N, 5° 28,4´W

Waking up, till at the same spot without grounding. Hoisting the sails in shelter of an island. Little bit more comfortable than on open water.

June 4th 17:40, Carradale Bay, Kintyre 55° 34.5´N, 5° 28,4´W

Arriving to Carradale Bay. It´s a wide bay with a flat bottom from 8 meters and to the shore. A small sailing boat is already here but it´s plenty of space. Moving forward with a close look at the depth instrument. Stopping at 7 meters and launching the anchor. I hope I have calculated the tide correctly, the depth should not decrease more than 1.5-2 meters. Have to check at half past 8!
Laying down an hour in the last sunshine before the clouds gets thicker. Planning the dinner and it will be fried chicken with red wine/herbs sauce, rice and some salad. I think I have an Italian red wine to this. And of course an espresso afterwards with some chocolate.
Tomorrow it will be a short leg to Campbeltown, close to the southern point of Mull of Kintyre.

June 4th 15:55, Outside Port Crannaich, Kintyre 55° 36.3´N, 5° 26,7´W

Not so far from the planned night harbour. Wind is decreasing. I take down the sails and start up the engine.

June 4th 15:05, North of Loch Ranza, Arran 55° 44.1´N, 5° 18,1´W

Turning starboard and heading toward Kilbrannan Sound. Bear away from beam reach and is now getting the wind astern. Not so fast but more comfortable. Still making around 7 knots which is OK. Not so many boats out today. Have met 3-4 sailors only today.

June 4th 12:45, Tarbert Harbour

Had a good night sleep after visiting the local pub “The Corner House”. Mostly local people drinking Tennent´s beer or Vodka & Pepsi (popular here!). Saw a nice example of how to anchor without any risk of drifting away…
Nevertheless, a full English breakfast with sausages, bacon and eggs is a good start. Did some “last workings” of a task and then leaving. The wind has shifted during the night and increased a lot. NE and 16-20 knots. Finally some real sailing!

June 3rd 16:50, Tarbert Harbour

Arriving to the harbour. Clear blue sky and very warm. Got some help from the crew in the boat nearby, when reversing towards the pontoon.

June 3rd 16:15, Lower Loch Fyne 55° 55.6´N, 5° 22,2´W

Taking down the sails, heading towards Tarbert only a couple of miles away.

June 3rd 12:30, Ardrishaig sea lock

Arriving to the pontoon outside the sea lock. Climbing up on a ladder to get in touch with the staff. I met a nice woman who explained to me that it might be a little bit “tricky” to go through the canal alone. All locks have to be operated by the crew. You also have to go to the next lock and prepare it for arrival! Took a short walk to the second lock and found out it to be “to challenging”. Climbing up in the basin, fixing the ropes, open all gates etc etc. Like a monkey running around! I decide to leave and go south. Will be back with some friends! Having a lunch break and leaving 13:30. At least the wind is there and I can start sailing, tacking south to Tarbert.

June 3rd 11:20, Outside East Loch Tarbert 55° 53.1´N, 5° 21,7´W

A light breeze is coming. Still no sense for sailing with only 3 knots wind speed. Heading north towards Ardrishaig.

June 3rd 09:30, Inchmarnoch Sound

Leaving the anchor bay. Still no wind at all. Heading NW towards Lover Loch Fyne.

June 3rd 08:30, St Ninian´s Bay 55° 48.1´N, 5° 7,9´W

The night has been extremely calm. No wind at all and you wake up and having a breakfast with a marvellous view.

June 2nd 18:11, St Ninian´s Bay 55° 48.1´N, 5° 7,9´W

Found a nice bay on the east coast of Isle of Bute. Arriving more or less in low water which makes it easy to find appropriate anchoring depth. It´s amazing to see the drying land created by the tides. Get´s company with a Hanse yacht, no flag so they might be Germans? Wind is more or less disappearing. Dinner outside, watching the sun going down……

June 2nd 15:37, outside Ardossan

No wind (more or less). Bringing the sails down and starts the engine. Heading towards east side of Isle of Bute.

June 2nd 13:00, Troon entrance

Finally leaving Troon after 3 days of working with the boat and for MSXI. Not a good start for a “vacation” but nevertheless. It´s forgotten quickly. First thing to do is to go around in circles outside the harbour. Looks stupid but it´s for calibrating the auto pilot´s course computer. After 2 rounds I´m heading north. Weather forecast says no wind so it´s a little bit risky to go to Ireland. Might never come back in time. For some reasons the clouds disappears and a clear blue sky arrives.