August 24th 16:45 Troon Harbour

Six days of a lot of sailing in (mostly) good weather. 280 nm in total. Now it´s just cleaning up and go to bed. Train leaves 05:52 tomorrow morning.

August 24th 16:00 Firth of Clyde

As quick as the rain came, as fast it was gone. The last distance home in sunshine.

August 24th 13:00 Lamlash Harbour, Arran

Preparing to leave. Gets in a hurry when I see dark grey clouds coming towards. Within 15 minutes it looks like this. I wait for half an hour and then leave. This will be the first day this week sailing in rain.

August 24rd 10:30 Lamlash Harbour, Arran

Waking up without an alarm at 10:00, Very good. Time for a brunch, update the blog and prepare for the short leg back to Troon.

August 23rd 21:30 Lamlash Harbour, Arran 55° 32,0´N, 5°07,1´W

During the last minutes of daylight, I manage to find a mooring buoy. Very tricky to see the buyo, but I was here last year in November so I knew they are somewhere. A very late dinner.

August 23rd 19:50 Pladda Island 55° 26,0´N, 5°06,0´W

Passing Pladda Island and now I can see the entrance to Lamlash north of me

August 23rd 18:30 South Arran 55° 20,0´N, 5°10,0´W

The wind is now more or less gone, it´s only “old sea” left. Taking down the sails and heading towards Lamlash.

August 23rd 16:00 Sanda Island 55° 14,0´N, 5°35,5´W

The wind is now force 6 at 24-26 knots. The sea is getting rougher with short and step waves from different directions. The combination of wind against tide.

August 23rd 13:20 Mull of Kintyre 55° 17,8´N, 5°52,2´W

Very close to the TSZ and the wind is backing towards east which is more favourable. But it is increasing.

August 23rd 11:00 Mull of Kintyre 55° 23,6´N, 5°52,5´W

Getting closer the separation zone and Mull of Kintyre.

August 23rd 09:50 Outside Bellochantuy Bay, Kintyre 55° 30,2´N, 5°48,6´W

Time to put the sails up, wind is increasing.

August 23rd 08:20 Cara Island, Gigha Sound 55° 37,3´N, 5°44,2´W

Leaving Gigha and enter open water. In front of me there is a 25 nm coastal track to Mull of Kintyre. Beautify sceneries again.

August 23rd 06:30 Ardminish Bay, Gigha Island 55° 40,5´N, 5°43,8´W

An early start for the long leg back to Firth of Clyde, between 65-75nm. As usual you try to catch the tidal streams in the right moment. The weather forecast is looking good with light or moderate winds.

August 22nd 18:15 Ardminish Bay, Gigha Island 55° 40,5´N, 5°43,8´W

I arrive to the anchorage after some “giant slalom” between rocks and buoys. This bay is also equipped with visitor’s buoys. Very convenient. I´m well worth a glass of whisky. Just sitting down and enjoying the scenery. Then dinner and tomorrows passage planning.

August 22nd 15:20 Sound of Jura

Leaving Jura for a short leg to Gigha Island. No wind at all. In the middle of the sound I meet a seal and these “small dolphins” (porpoise – sw: tumlare) you see everywhere.

August 22nd (afternoon) Craighouse, Jura

A short nap, a cup of coffee and some sandwiches for lunch and then there is time to row back. The distillery is not so old, even though it has a long history. The present distillery is from early 1960´s as an investment to create jobs on the island. The other distilleries I have visited were more “genuine” but they are making excellent whiskey. I found a very, very good one, distillery edition cask strength from 1999. Back to the boat.

August 22nd Craighouse, Jura

Waking up this morning without an alarm. After breakfast it´s time to visit the village Craighouse. First thing to do is to inflate the rubber boat and launch it into the sea. Needs a shower afterwards. Jump into the boat and rows against the jetty. It´s a very small village, but it has a hotel, another restaurant and a small shop. And of course the distillery. I go to the hotel to pay the £10,00 mooring fee. Outside I meet a woman who is a group practicing “swim trekking”. It´s a holiday camp and they have put their tents on a field just outside the hotel. They are swimming from island to island !!! A rather odd vacation. Next thing is the distillery and I book a tour 14:00. On the way back to the jetty I buy some “fresh” bread in the very small supermarket.

August 21st 18:10, Craighouse, Jura

The last hours sailing were excellent. 15-18 knots wind from northeast. Arriving a little bit earlier than expected. There are visitors mooring buoys in the bay which makes it easy. Today’s dinner is fried chicken with rice, red wine sauce with herbs and a tomato/mozzarella salad. I miss the fresh basil but some good olive oil and balsamico will do. Tomorrow I have to pump the inflatable rubber boat to reach land. Want to visit Jura Distillery. I do not understand these persons who states boat life and liquor is a bad combination. Join for a distillery tour!

August 21st 16:40, Eilean a´Chuirn, Ardmore Islands 55° 39,6´N, 6°00,8´W

Last time I passed hear I was sleeping. Unni and Jan did the sailing. Here in Sound of Jura there are some more sailing boats. Haven’t seen so many these days. In the north there is the island Jura, were my destination are. Craighouse.

August 21st 15:30, Otter Rk, South Port Ellen 55° 33,5´N, 6°07,5´W

Getting closer Islay. Wind is increasing and wearing to northwest. I recognize the entrance to Port Ellen since last time a year ago. Further north you can see the typical distillery buildings, Laphroaig and Lagavulin Distilleries. I still remember the visits last year to P Ellen and Laphroaig.

August 21st 13:50, TSZ 55° 26,9´N, 6°13,8´W

I have just gone into the outbound sector of the TSZ. Not many ship but of course there is one just right now. And she doesn´t change course. Better stay away. Looking south and I´m lucky. Seems that the rain showers passing behind.

August 21st 10:50, North Rathlin Island 55° 19,2´N, 6°19,2´W

Switching of the engine and set sails. Winds are moderate from west. A seal passes by, probably on the way to some fishing net nearby. Heading towards Islay.

August 21st 09:30, Ballycastle Marina

Leaving Ballycastle and heading north. As usual there is a “time gate” to meet, having the best tidal conditions. My plans are to pass north of Rathlin Island before the inbound tides starts. Gets company with a fishing guide and guest.
The view is fantastic. In east Fair Head, in north Rathlin Island and in the west North Antrim coast and the Atlantic Ocean.

August 20th 20:15, Ballycastle Marina

Arriving at 20:15. Try to reach them by VHf without success. Entering the harbour. When I get closer the harbour master is standing on the pontoon guiding me a visitors berth. Get some help to tie up the boat. First thing to do is dinner. Later I have a walk in the “town”. Not big but very cute. The town also have a history which is quite important for us. It was here that Marconi and his team performed the first wireless transmissions and reception of a message 1898 between Ballycastle and Rathlin Island. And 100 years later we have internet in our pockets.

August 20th 18:50, Fair Head 55° 14,7´N, 6° 04,1´W

Taking down the spinnaker pole and turning 90 degrees to port. I´m one hour before schedule but the sea condition looks good. Entering Rathlin Sound at 8 knots speed. Everything goes smoothly. A bit further in the sound the wind shifts to southwest and decrease. The overfalls become more severe. It´s an amazing when you sit in a boat, it just goes up and down, you don´t feel that it moves forward and when you look at the plotter you are doing 6,5 knots! Heading towards Ballycastle breakwater.