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Morvenna 2023
  • Austen Davies
  • Claire Davies
  • Austen Davies
  • Claire Davies

Morvenna 2023

First year of our sailing trip in our Ovni 435 Morvenna. Looking forward to some great adventures with Rob and Gretel Shaw Leggi altro
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  • Morvenna 2023
    11

    Hamnen

    18 giugno 2023, Norvegia ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    Without much of a plan in the world, we headed down some likely looking fjords. Sides getting steeper and higher the further we went. Eventually on the corner we spotted the highest peek yet . So big the scale was impossible to judge. Rob had his binoculars out and spotted a Via Ferratti going up the entire mountain to the peek some with some very treacherous overhangs and man made shelves. This is the most challenging route I have ever seen . We pottered past and found and anchoring hole just off the main channel. Bearing in mind the main channel is 400 to 800 metres deep, anchoring is a luxury, Again this was a dreaming anchorage and not a sole to be seen.
    As it turns out he peninsula that were on had a fair bit of second world was history and our walks revealed a lot of the German installation that were here to protect there North Atlantic fleet. Take a look at the picks places like this don’t grow on trees. Rob and I also had a chance to stock the fridge with a little drift fishing in the main channel. Rob visible in one high altitude shot.    Leggi altro

  • Morvenna 2023
    1
    11

    Selje

    19 giugno 2023, Norvegia ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    Last stop before going, round the Statt peninsula, and the place that Nick and spoons will hope on the ferry back to Bergen and return to the real world via Amsterdam.
    But not before one last beach BBQ and Nick Signature smoked prawns.
    We anchored in a little Mitch a mile opposite town, amongst the rocks and the Island. One local called by to see if we had run aground. The day was scotching and some swims to shore were had by the girls. Pier pressure meant it was my turn to and I followed Claire to the beach where we planned a small fire and to cook tea. No point getting in nicks way when he has a plan and smoking Prawns in Steiner wood dust was todays plan. Cold beers, wine, beach fire and smoked prawns in the sun, what could be a better way to say bye and thanks to Nick and Spoons.    Leggi altro

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  • Morvenna 2023
    1

    Flatoyna via Statt peninsula

    20 giugno 2023, Norvegia ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    So the Statt penninsula comes with a big reputation. It even has a phone help line to see if it is safe to transit. It is so disruptive to the Norwegian infrastructure that the Norwegians have a plan to tunnel through it with a tunnels big enough to take a ship. We left Sejva and headed round the back for a hickory look at he monastery. Before heading round the Statt, Luckily for us the gods let us pass without drama. In fact it it was absolutely zero swell and zero wind. It is quite an imposing piece of rock and we were pleased to see it at its best. Once rounded we looked for an anchorage and spotted a nice pool through a very tricky shallow access. After negotiating the entrance and arriving at the pool, we put the anchor down and put the kettle on for a brew. A call from the shore, in this out the way place, shouted. You cant stay here its forbidden. Why. Its a bird sactuary. Up anchor and reverse track for us. We then had to pick another spot on the map and It was Flatoya. Who knows what it looked like. But we motored 10km there in the golden late day light. Wiggled through a very narrow passage and anchored in glass conditions. No tea this time it was time for a beer and mrs D made supper.Leggi altro

  • Morvenna 2023

    Fosnavåg

    21 giugno 2023, Norvegia ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

    It was going to be windy, so we thought it wise to tie up to a pontoon in the shelter for the evening. Looked on the Go marina app for any likely spots. And this place was almost on our route. I never been to a place that felt more like a cardboard set from a film western. Loads of development, no people hardly any useful shops and zero traffic. What is this town for. Shops were empty the hotel was empty the bar was empty. To this day I don’t know what this town does. Thoroughly weird.Leggi altro

  • Morvenna 2023
    1

    Runde Island

    23 giugno 2023, Norvegia ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C

    After a couple of dull days dodging weather in one of Norways weirdest out of the way towns. We made a plan to go to Runde Island. Famous for its Puffins and other cliff dwelling birds. The weather wasn’t perfect, But the passage was short although included 2 rocky wriggles and a bridge 2 metres higher than out mast. As always the wind was on the nose but sailable out of the harbour. And then behind the beam 25 kts plus for the bridge section. By the time we reached Runde which is a narrow stone built breakwater with only room for 2 yachts it was gusting nearly thirty. We had to hold onto the sails right until the entrance. Just t o stay on our coarse. Through the front door of the harbour, quick left turn. Bugger there’s already a yacht on the pontoon. I think there’s enough room, so straight in without fenders and only a centre mooring line. We could not of held our position with just engine so it was best to get tied on and sort the mess after.

    Rain turned up as we tidied up the boat. So we stayed on board for a cupper before togging up for a bird search. We walked to the other end of the island and 3/4 of the way up the cliffs when the big rainstorm arrived. WE quit without seeing a puffin.    Leggi altro

  • Morvenna 2023
    1

    Urke

    24 giugno 2023, Norvegia ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C

    Well here we are in the fjords proper. Water 500 to 1000m deep and mountains over 1500m straight out of the water and boom today the wind is in the right direction. Let’s forget all of the warnings and goose wind down the middle of the Hjorund fjorden what a day, 8 kts through the water in the most amazing scenery. We were heading to Norangsvika to look at the period Victorian hotel but in the sunshine we decide to stop at what looked like a bar. Very few and far between in Norway. It was and we pulled up at there pontoon. With some other Norwegian yachts. After a long steady walk up hill and into the valley. We returned to the bar to drink outrageously expensive beer and have Klipfisk Bacuela for tea. (Salted cod) it was really very good. We sat and drunk with some locals one was a vet and one was a fish farm scientist. Rob made friends with the local ski guide and exchanged details. He is still dreaming of the winter here.Leggi altro

  • Morvenna 2023
    111

    Geiranger

    25 giugno 2023, Norvegia ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    The Fjord running up to Geirfanger is absolutely stunning. The photos, in the previous post do not do it justice. Just thought I would put a little reminder of geiranger town here as the cruise ship industrty here is just huge. And to remind myself of the help and advice from “haven Voyager” who owners I never new there name. And to say thanks for the Kiwi GripLeggi altro

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  • Morvenna 2023
    1

    Alensund

    27 giugno 2023, Norvegia ⋅ ☀️ 13 °C

    Just popped in to do the laundry. No sign of a laundrette. Just 2 cruise ships with nearly 8000 people on and 2 smaller cruise ships in for a short stop. This happens every day . The Norwegian jumper shop was totally overwhelmed.Leggi altro

  • Morvenna 2023
    1

    Ona

    30 giugno 2023, Norvegia ⋅ ☁️ 11 °C

    This again was a quick pop in on the way to Trondheim. A dodgy wiggle through the rocks, sees you into the tiny colourful harbour. 16 inhabitants supported by 4 ferries a day. Norway has unbelievable infrastructure. We spent 2 hours walking round the island and considered a hand knit jumper for Claire, which was rejected at the last moment.
    Left by 11am and now for some proper rock dodging as we head north    Leggi altro

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  • Morvenna 2023

    Flatoya

    3 luglio 2023, Norvegia ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

    Well here’s an out of the way spot. Claire had read that there was a good chance of seeing sea eagles and otters. So we set off at the crack of 10 am after a hearty lay in.
    With a sailing distance of 27 miles to cover. But unfortunately as always it was going to be up wind. We hadn’t sailed much for a while, due to light wind etc. So we thought we ought to give it a go and be proper sailers. We tacked nearly 43 miles mostly through rocky channels. We even saw some swell out in the open ocean. Mostly 10 to 12 knots of breeze in clear conditions,all in all a good sail.

    As we entered the rocky passage between flatoya and litldola we saw a baby sea eagle up on one of the mini islands. A good start, as we snuck up the passage of the this low lying rocky island we saw an adult sea eagle over our chosen anchorage. Still no Otters for Claire. The Anchor crabbed on a rock rather than burying. Fingers crossed. We lowered the dinghy in and went a shore in the evening light to see what there was on this un inhabited island. First wee got a display from the hooded crows on how to see off 2 sea eagles. Then a short walk through the enchanted forest, a very quiet place. As we found our way out onto the seaward side of the island it was obvious that these out of the way island collect all of the sea floats under and jetson it was very sad to see just how much rubbish collects in these isolated places. The wild life is living in amongst it all, including the elusive Otter.    Leggi altro

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  • Morvenna 2023

    Krakvag

    4 luglio 2023, Norvegia ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C

    Yet another last minute pop in to anchor. Last stop before Trondheim and dropping Rob off as he is out of Schengen days. The Journey here from Flatoya was one big rock stren channel. But we had pretty good sailing conditions for the best part of it. We passed about 20 small boats amongst the rocks all hoping for a big cod, we managed to slide between them almost silently doing 5 kts in 7.5Ktss of breeze.
    Claire and I walked the Whole island circumference in and hour and a half while Rob fished off the southern point in the dinghy. 2 Mackerel for lunch tomorrow.
    It looked so perfect that after supper I took the dinghy on a fishing trip in the red light of the evening and sat out in the glassy sea    Leggi altro

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  • Morvenna 2023

    Trondheim birthday

    6 luglio 2023, Norvegia ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    Rob got up early and caught the flight. Back to Gatwick. After big foot left at 5am🤫 Claire and I decided to head north up this dead end fjord while there was some wind. We had a nice solid 16kts of breeze and headed to the entrance of the narrows At 8.5kts
    At the narrows the wind headed and increased to 18 to 20 kts . Lazy holiday mode kicked in and we bore away for a 2 gybe run to Trondheim 14 miles away. And the promises of birthday tea for Claire and a Micky d for me. We would be able to park the boat right in the middle of town but would have to wait for 2 lifting bridges. On pedestrian an un believably the train bridge was a lifter too. Parked outside the train station an now off for tea. Of when Claire has finished another row of her Norwegian hat . After a beer or 2 in the old part of town, and then finding you have to book for posh birthday restaurants. Luckily a hot tip pointe dat a stylish Italian restaurant. Both of us over fed. We went to bed with food babies.

    Next day was shopping for presents and clostridium were the order of the day. Mostly with Em Youldons wedding in mind    Leggi altro

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  • Morvenna 2023

    20 Knt Birthday sail to Sjeonget

    7 luglio 2023, Norvegia ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    After a nice day in downtown Trondheim, we had to get out of the city centre canal via the lifting bridge at 1720. As we went out of the outer harbour it was obvious a good sail was going to be had 12 knots just of the wind we could aim at the entrance to the Fjord 10 miles NE and we hit 6.5 kts as soon as the sails went up. We even had another boat to race (they didn’t know) we gave the a head start of about a mile but they had no chance as the might Morvenna wound up. Claire steered well and rolled her eyes as I trimmed the sails in full race mode. The wind built to a steady 18kts we creamed along at 8kts. The competition had no chance. They sailed as if they were having a nice week end away. As we reached the entrance to the fjord the wind reached 20 plus as it funnelled and we peaked at 9.5 kts we had another 10 miles to run on this evening adventure. We had pick out a likely anchorage. Looked perfect.
    It wasn’t as the wind died in the lee of the anchorage we could see the industrial cooling chimneys of a giant processing plant . Luckily the anchorage was sheltered, had good holding and was more or less out of range of the plant . Cheese and pickle sandwich then bed.

    Strangely this is to be the furthest North we will go on this trip and everything else will we South for the foreseeable future. Seems a strange place to be our ultimate destination. Still no seas otters for Claire    Leggi altro

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  • Morvenna 2023

    Vollvika

    18 luglio 2023, Norvegia ⋅ ☁️ 11 °C

    On our way to geiranger for a second visit . We thought Gretel would have to see it before she went home. We were half way there on our back from our. And needed so.ewhere to hold up for tea and a nights sleep. On the previous trip we had pulled into stordal . An un remarkable town with furniture making heritage. And as I remember mud night skinny diapers next to the boat. This time we were motoring past this little nitch and decided to take a look. We crept in st half impulse speed making sure there were no surprises. As we got into the back of this steep sided hole. We noticed some mooring steels. Drilled into the rock. Even next to the edge the water depth was 65 Metres. It was coming to be a tie in. Out came the long ropes and the dinghy was launched. Rob and Grets pulled lines to the the 3 steels. We tensioner up and we were as snug a a bug 7 or 8 metres from the cliff face. Top fun. In the morning it was time to stretch our legs. We had spotted a pontoon and path leading up a steep hill. That was to be the morning work out. 300 vertical through the trees. We then stumbled on an old viking farm shortage site there was no road access to this place and pretty difficult by boat. I sat down for a rest and after a few minutes a young women looking very sleepy popped her head out of the building and invited us in for coffe. I wasnt expecting that. In we went to this period world be looked after by couple of university students for the summer. Kajsa and Norunn. Naked cinema buns for us and told us all about the epic sking in the area. The March metre is a definate. Magnet to return . Top entertainment for the morning and a proper surprise.Leggi altro

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  • Morvenna 2023

    Andalsnes

    23 luglio 2023, Norvegia ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    Little trip down Norways 11th favourite Fjord. Climbing sking mecca and an epic cycle up the zig zag to the peek.
    Also met up with Lee and Caroline of white cloud again after not having seen them since stornoway. We drink most of a bottle of rum and a bottle of champagne ale brought with him. Great conversation hope to catch up again soonLeggi altro

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  • Morvenna 2023

    Vigra To Lerwick 265NM

    26 luglio 2023, Scozia ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C

    Vigra is the island just off Allensund a low island with no particular reason to go,apart from the airport is here. After yesterday 25 kt downwind sail and try trying to moor up in nearly 30kts it was is time for Gretel to catch the plane home and for Bill to arrive. Grets had ambitions of walking to the airport from the boat which she thought would be pretty unique. But that wasn’t going to be easy as she would have to cross the run way. A nice old guy from the boat club where we had moored offered to take her in the car. Vigra has a road tunnel from Allensund a couple of miles long, under the seas which is 140 metres deep. It has a bus from town every hour without fail, The airport doesn’t do international flights. This is another in site into Norways commitment to Infrastructure.
    Rob and I had decided not to get stuck into any alcohol this evening as there was a big sail across the North Sea planned for the following day. Which would probably take about 2 days. Best not to start feeling rough and tired. Bill arrived with clutching s bottle of duty free Jack Daniels and a smile. Talked shit till 2 am drunk the JD woke up with sore head,. So much for the plan.
    280 Mile passages means we had been keeping tabs on the weather for many day before. And always there is a bit of a schedule to keep up with and Rob had to be in Lerwick to catch the ferry. For his daughter Tess’s graduation. Looked like 15kts for the first day and not a lot after that. With a risk of a lot of left over swell, which as any sailor knows isn’t that pleasant for travel. All in all not looking too bad with low risk of getting a beating out in the North Sea. We set off through the channel between Vigra and Lepsoya at about 1.30pm no real swell and a nice 15nt breeze hard on the nose. Its a trickier passage than it looks at first with plenty of off lying rocks and small channels to negotiate, all the same a good sail through. Once in open water, outer coarse to Lerwick was absolutely dead down wind. Not ideal. After a bit of faff we set up the goose wing engaged George (the auto pilot) and considered lunch options. We kept the goose wing all through the night and up to about 10 am when it became obvious the wind was gone and our old faithful engine was about to get a work out, probably for 24 hours, like Le Mans but more sleepy.we manage to talk S H one T for the day we made our way through several oil fields and a large offshore wind farm, all of which are 125 miles plus off shore. Quite a logistic need to opersate these systems in this environment. The second night eased its way in the Donk reliably chugging us forward at 5.5knots through the ever subsiding sea. 3 hour watches meant I got 2 till 5am, sun up in these parts. The sea had gone oily flat and the light was changing hues as the sun crept through the clouds. The sea birds started to return to view as we reached about 60 miles to go.
    With 20 miles to a nice little SE wind arrived about 15kts, We were sailers again. Although wet sailors this time.
    WE were surprised to sea that Lerwick had put a tall ships fanfare for our arrival. Drinking music and dancing girls. I am sure they do it for everyone.    Leggi altro

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  • Morvenna 2023

    Lerwick to Libster

    5 agosto 2023, Scozia ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C

    Rob and Wild Bill, are leaving the boat today, Bills done a great job on getting us across the the North Sea and making sure we kept up with our wine drinking schedule. Several good nights out in Lerwick during the tall ships regatta. Robs Norwegian fishing jumper seems to have a strange affect on the locals.
    Adrian will arrive tommorow and the plan is to make a hop to Fair isle. No wind on the forecast. So we motor all of the way. 40 miles. On arrival we raft up to a Dutch Ovni 385. With 4 Dutchmen who were on the return trip from Iceland, so many people doing so much adventure sailing in these parts. The local fishing boat returned from his day at see and gave us Yachting’s a basket of fish as a gift. In the basket was 4lb cod 10 decent squid, 4 1lb pollack and some herring. The Dutch boys didn’t look so keen, but we took the pick of the squid and cooked up garlic squid with salte potato’s and and onions on a bed of spinach. op nosh. We then got an invite to the island shin dig in the community hall, this felt like a proper treat being able to participate in such a small communities big night out. There was live music singing and country dancing, we took our own beer, but there was more home made cake than we could eat. We were made to feel very welcome. One thing we noticed as we left, was that we were in our first proper dark night for several months.
    Next day 18 knots of wind forecast from the NE and a proper sail was on the cards to get to Kirkwall. But on route we had promised our new Dutch drinking friend that we would take a few photos of them sailing. Job done we pulled out the Genoa and went into sail trimming mode as we were now racing. (Not sure they new) perfect down wind down tide run to Kirkwall. Pod of almost white Risso Dolphins on route ,very exiting. We even manage to hop across the tidal eddy outside the narrows perfectly to get it going perfectly in the right direction. Into Kirkwall for 3pm. But the days adventures were not up yet. Firstly the harbour master said go to the east basin and find your own spot. We blindly headed into the east basin with an 18knt breeze following us. Assuming there would be plenty of space. There wasn’t. Big boat no bow thruster could turn round in the marina lane as it wasn’t wide enough, shallow water all around. This was going to be a game. After a couple of failed attempts to get hooked onto a small bit of dock and another couple of attempts to turn round. A nice yachty came onto the dock and said there’s an a spot down the next lane thats easy to get into. ( I should not have listened) in desperation I decided to follow his plan. As it turned out the lane was 1 metre deep and the spot was 2 feet long than the boat in the corner tightly between 2 boats. The keel hit the mud on the way in so we lifted it and the rudder. Steering now very compromised. We we committed and after a wriggle we were in. And tied up. When the old harbour master called along later”how did yo get that in there” followed by “how you gonna get that out of there” That’s a problem for tomorrow. While paying said harbour master. Adrian asked if he new Andy the vet as we wanted to catch him for a drink. “ yes of coarse he’s my next door neighbour” of coarse he is. 30 minutes later we walked home with the harbour master who dropped us at Andy’s house.
    After drinking beer and whisky for 3 hours and catching up on Orkney gossip is was time to stagger home, Andy and his wife great impromptu hosts. The following day sailing forecast was still good 18 to 20 knots NE, but first we had to get out of the hole we had parked in, we decided to let the tide fill in and planned to leave at 10am. With ropes springs and a few extra hands we managed to wriggle and spin the boat on the wind without hitting anything we were off and heading for Kirk sound to wait for the tide to cross alongside Pentland Firth. It is springs today so no getting it wrong. We had a nice sail about 30 miles and saw plenty of wildlife. We even managed to sail gently onto anchor for the night. The sky cleared and the sea glassed off. Perfect evening . Tomorrow was looking like a long motor.
    Up at 7am for 2 hours of motoring to the most northerly part of Pentland. We arrived exactly as the flow turned east. Plenty of dolphins Seals and porpoise fishing in the fast moving water. Afer an hour of motoring south in the flat water we could sea clearly the standing waves of the firth,they were 4 miles away and they were very big. Not a ride I fancy taking. Once clear of the firth we witness Skuas trying to drown Gannets and unknown hawks trying to pick Fulmars out of the air. Quite a spectacle.
    Libster, What a cute spot. It has the feel of an old Cornish fishing port. It use to have 100 boats and now has 5 part time fisherman. Something of a heritage port with a history of big Herring money. The town up the hill was poor the pub was rough but very friendly. And the fisherman were free with there knowledge and story telling. All in all a great spot to have nights rest in settled weather.
    After borrowing a few big fenders off the quay we got ourselves secure. This was the first time I had had to manage big tides for a while.
    Early start tomorrow. The Canal awaits.    Leggi altro

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  • Morvenna 2023

    Libster To Oban Via The Canal

    7 agosto 2023, Scozia ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    Guess what, more motoring, left Libster surprisingly early, we heard the the stanchion scrape on the wall as the tide lifted us up. 6AM well I’m up, Adrian is up lets go, while we can. Engine on an start the long motor to the entrance of the Caledonian canal 50 miles away in inverness. The weather is clear and blue and there is every chance of some great wild life spotting in the glassy water.

    First spot is n unknown hawk bombing a Fulmar that is sitting on the water as soon as the Fulmar is foolish enough to try and get airborne the predictor knock him to water again where the assault continues eventually there are 2 hawks and 2 fulmars in a battle. (I think the Fulmars escape) next is a skua busy drowning a gannet. I had heard of this behaviour but wasn’t expecting to see it so often. Again on this occasion the gannet finally got away . Eventually we reached the entrance to the estuary, still best part of 20 miles to go. There is rumour of dolphin pods in the narrows and they did not disappoint. 2 groups of 6 ish being harrissed by viewing boats. Not really the type of wildlife spotting I like. We wind down the meandering estuary through town and under the bridge arriving bang on top of the tide, as planned. (Luck) shame the lock keeper had gone home for the day so we tie up at the entrance of the sea lock. Luckily a grea little pub just 200yards away. Locals friendly and knowledgeable about fishing. Next morning Adrian up early for a run and on his return the lock keeper calls us Ito the first of 29locks and 11 swing bridges
    Caledonian canal is 60 miles long and will lift the mighty Morvenna to height of 33 metres through the highlands.
    When I went through the Crinan canal I had the Mark and the lovely lock maidens Lizzy and Sarah to help, this time it was to be Adrian. I’m sure we will cope. As with the Crinan. Everyone is friendly and positive, getting through the locks is a social event. After the sea lock we nip into the coop to stock up and we climb the first lock ladder with an exclusive tourist boat full of Americans. One lady doing yoga, stood on her head for most of the process. Next stop was Loch Ness with full 20 knot head wind. We decided to sail anyway beating side to side up the loch. Progress, but slow. After about 10 miles progress it was back to motor sailing to the windless haven of Augusta. Here we found nice pub , food, and Eric the Viking from No bullshit sailing on his way back from St Kilda. Decided to spoil his evening introduce myself. Adrian had no idea who he was. I am sure Eric told his mates who he had met.
    Next stop the lock ladder and a long run of Canal top negotiate. Final destination for the day will be the basin at the end of loch oich. Beautiful quiet spot only disturbed by the crashing into pontoons of hire boats as the holiday makers learn how to drive them.
    The next day is the final run to the sea, it seems a shame to have rushed through, there is plenty of opportunity to have a whole cruise within the canal and lochs. Neptunes ladder awaits but while waiting we meet a young chap called Sam who is circumnavigating the UK in a Hurley 22 he bought on eBay for 900 quid. He has a you tube channel called Samsails. Makes you realise that you can have a proper adventure on a shoe string. Top chap hope he does well.
    So down Neptunes ladder like a well oiled machine. Even flicking the ropes on and off from the bottom of the lock with no help. As always we are running late as we hit the final sea lock and it looking as if we could miss the tide through the narrows in Loch Linhe. Which could be embarrassing as Rob was already in Oban and has no where to stay apart from on the boat. We had better get the motor running again. We took all the short cuts we could and just snuck into Oban transit marina in the dark and mist at 10pm. Rob had been keeping warm in the pub and we were going to sneak in for last orders. We meet a young couple while trying to get a seat in the pub they are impressed we had sailed from Norway and asked to see a picture of our boat as they weren’t to sure we were telling them the truth. They were properly impress when Rob showed them a picture of one of the tall ships from Lerwick. 3 masts 120 metres and staff on all the rigging. I’m pretty sure they are still dining out on that story.

    Oban, Time for Adrian to get the train home, so up early to walk him to the station. Rob and I have to continue south.    Leggi altro

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  • Morvenna 2023

    Oban To Rathlin Island

    12 agosto 2023, Scozia

    A couple of things have sprung to mind, first my head hurts after being in the pub too late last night, second Adrian grabs his train home to day and he has had a bit too much motoring on his watch. Thirdly it seems a bit unfair that we are about to have a bit of a fun run down to Rathlin with a view to anchor at Crinan on route. I walk Adrian to the train station and then back to the boat do jobs before rob and I set sail down the coast. Drop washing in Chinese laundry. Get hair cut in Oban again feels like a form of symmetry, go shopping for more food. We ease out of the Marina about 2pm with a view to just get through the Dorus mor on the tide and anchor outside Crinan. We have a nice 15 to 18knots on a fair up wind course sky is blue with fast moving clouds and the scenery is highland Scotland. Definitely all good.
    As we sail down the passage between Kerrara and the main land we se a yacht in tow from the RNLI. Always a reminder. After a bit of solid upwind sailing we get the chance to do a man overboard practice when my baseball cap blows off. Unfortunately the cap didn’t make it and sunk. Nice bit of crash stop and heave to by rob. Good practice .
    Easedale slide past with our sails tight in but we are still on coarse to get to the Dorus before the tide makes it impossible. First we have to negotiate the Cuan sound and pick up fuel at Craobh Haven. The tide sucks us round the shallow meandering sound and we are looking for ward to a cupppa while filling up with fuel. Unfortunately we hadn’t checked what time the fuel guys knock off at Craobh. So after a quick rest we are off again to chase the tide. The wind gets up and we change down to the jib on the inner forestay put a reef in the main and keep going uphill in up to 25kts. Boat smooth as you like but the schedule has slipped. We will have to go round the out side and put in 4 extra tacks to get in. More symmetry we anchored almost the exact place Mark Healy and I had anchored on the way North and had had a drunken party with our Crinan friends. Rob looked pretty tired and I cooked tea. Pesto chicken and rice with leak and chilly.
    Next day was going to be tricky up wind again with maybe some tricky tide. Our plan is to break the day by having lunch anchor at anchor at Gigha but who know if that will work. Again a beautiful day 15knt upwind sailing no tacking Mainland to the port side Jura to the starboard. Our upwind coarse seems too be pointing us straight to the Jura distillery and not Gigha for lunch. I suppose we will just have to go with the flow.
    Seems the wind has come round and we are now heading directly at Rathlin another 30 miles away. Up wind has been pretty easy so far but we are about to get some proper Atlantic swell to spice up the rest of the day. As we leave the paps of dura and Isla behind the open sea is grey and becoming dark, the odd rain squall helps the feeling of being back in the real world. 20kts rolling swell but still able to hold a coarse for the western end of Rathlin We even manage to arrive perfectly as the tide eases back. More luck than judgment. Getting dark but tied up tight and very near to the pub.    Leggi altro

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