SAORSA - Toward Sailing Club

EXTRACT FROM THE LOG OF
SAORSA
(Moody 336)
14 July to 10 August 2010
SHADES OF GREY
Foreword

‘Shades of Grey’
The cruise this year was excellent as always, however, the predictable Scottish weather
didn’t let us down and it rained at some point of the day, almost every day of the sail.
Hence the title chosen for the cruise this year is ‘Shades of Grey’.
Mission: To boldly go and seek new sailing grounds, drink lots of gin and have a
good craic. (mission accomplished).
Crew:- Toward to Dunstaffnage
Alasdair Finlay, Owner/skipper
Mike Benson, First Mate/voice of reason
Carol Gilles, Second Mate/singer/ log writer
Crew:- Dunstaffnage to Gairloch and return
Alasdair Finlay, Owner/skipper
Mike Benson, First Mate/voice of reason
Robbie Livingstone/ fitness fanatic
Bob Rankin/ snoring deckhand/ log writer
Rodney Cairns/
In keeping with tradition as of previous cruises, we set sail from Toward for
Campbeltown and then on to Ireland’s Rathlin Island and Scotland’s Western Isles, the
most beautiful waters in the world. The memories generated will last forever, thank you
Alasdair.
Log of Saorsa Wednesday 14 th July 2010

07.30 Second Mate was alerted by Owner that as weather was Considerably Rough
And Precipitating (CRAP) we would be postponing departure until it got a bit nicer.
Informed that I would be picked up by Mike at 10.00 hours. Hurray, a bit longer in the
dry.
10.15 Picked up from home to go to T.S.C. for promised Sunshine Cruise. On arrival at
T.S.C. were informed by Al that the half-dozen fresh eggs he had been taking aboard
had been reduced to three, the remainder of which were now decorating the floor of the
dinghy. ‘The egg box got wet and the ‘arse’ fell out of it’, he ruefully explained.
After a quick rinse out, loaded the gear and we were blown out to the mooring, quite a
bit more quickly than I would have liked.
10.25 Left mooring at Toward as boat breenging about, heading for Rothesay to pick up
meat, ice and other perishables. Large quartering swell made helming strenuous and it
was agreed that the deployment of the spinnaker would probably not be prudent.
Parked at Marina, filled water and had a bit of a blether with Big Davie whilst listening to
the screaming of the wind in the rigging. Al went to the butcher’s for Lovely Things
while Mike deflated the dinghy (bit worried that he seems to enjoy rolling around on top
of wet rubbery things) I visited the Co-Op for ice and milk and bought a dozen packets
of Rainbow Drops; if I’m going to be sick it might as well be colourful! Had a cuppa
whilst the chaps tried to sweet-talk the GPS into getting its act together. Failed, so Al
brought out the Shiny New Aerial. GPS now worked fine but six miles of cable strewn
about the cabin sole. Al then fitted the Chart Plotter and commenced ‘faffing about’ with
it. I thought we went sailing to get away from all this electronic nonsense..?!, typical
woman.

12.30, Left the comfort and shelter of Rothesay after some cunning manoeuvring to get
off the pontoon, for a sail up the Kyles of Bute and thence to Campbelltown (or maybe
Sanda, let’s see how the weather is.) Wind gusting to 40 knots and steering interesting.
¾ of roller jib out. No main and motoring. Upon opening the galley cupboard,
discovered that one of the three remaining eggs had jumped out of its nesting place and
committed suicide all over the teabags. Kitchen roll call!
As Doreen had made up some rolls, we (I, that is) didn’t have too much hassle making
lunch, although no-one ate much.
Fast passage to Ardlamont, where following seas got increasingly bigger. With breaking
tops. Mike repeatedly extolled the virtues of Tarbert, looking northwards in quite a
wistful way. Engine off, half jib (no mainsail) and still making 7+ knots.
15.40 Off Lochranza, down to less than 5kn so engine back on. Good fast run to
Campbelltown and tied up next to Kieta.
19.00 Arrive Campbelltown, had several ‘wee drinkies’ to steady our nerves. Scoffed
Doreen’s lovely chilli then went to Argyll Arms in search of Al’s wee pal David, the gay
florist, Lovely boy, wasn’t there, so Al in slightly grumpy mood for the rest of the
evening.
Later on: Got back to Saorsa at some point and attempted to work out the tides for
going round the Mull. Nae bother, as Mike good with figures. Didn’t have to leave ‘till
12.00 noon next day, so had a wee nightcap to steady our nerves. Found a new radio
channel, Argyll FM (107.7) with World’s Best Taxi Advert.
Log Reading: 207 n/miles

Distance run: 47 n/miles
Log of Saorsa Thursday 15th July 2010
09.00, Woken by a phone call from Neil Cunningham informing us of a hazard to
navigation…” Whilst I had been showing the Monday evening learners a few days
previously how to park a yacht, my anchor had got stuck very firmly on something. I
had buoyed it and asked Neil to recover it with his mooring boat”. It turned out to be a
forty-foot long pontoon filled with H-beams and scaffolding poles, a relic from the oil rig
site at Ardyne Point in the 70s and Neil had had quite a job freeing my anchor and
chain. Anyway, as he was passing the next day at low water, fully loaded with anchors
and chain on his way to Loch Long, he noticed that the pontoon, having been disturbed
from its resting place, was now poking above the surface. Refer to Neil’s condition as
being fully loaded with moorings gubbins, therefore unable to do anything about it.
Emergency phone calls to various club members to warn them about the Hazard To
Shipping before the race that evening.
The rain seemed to have stopped though; so it should, the amount that fell out of the
sky last night! Al volunteered to make brunch and discovered that the galley clear-up
after the Cruising Weekend in May hadn’t been as thorough as it might have been.

Two – month - old fossilised sausages: not appetising.
Visited Tesco for supplies and saw some Vestas wind turbine bits being delivered.
12.30 After visiting Tesco, left Campbelltown for Gigha. I was trying to fit things into
the fridge, juggling Stuff Out, Stuff In and the fridge lid when I realised my elbow had
gone through the two remaining eggs. Oh for f*** sake! The Eggs Of Doom! Chucked
them over the side for a Float Test. They didn’t.

Motored all the way to Gigha in the complete absence of any wind (but lovely and
sunny) with a beef casserole bubbling away for several hours. New experience for me
as the only two previous times I’d been round the Mull (both motoring) we’d gone via
Sanda and Rathlin. (Possibly the smelliest pub bogs in the world.)
18.00 Arrived at Ardminish Gigha, and had a drink or two to settle our nerves then
scoffed the casserole. Nice but nowhere nearly as good as Robin’s Boogaloo Stew. Al
was keen to visit the pub but Mike and I couldn’t be bothered pumping up the dinghy so
we passed the time blethering and passing comments on the other yachts in Ardminish
Bay. The boats some people sail…Oy Vey! Lovely sunset, though.
The wind picked up and the temperature dropped quite a bit so we all dived into our
bunks fairly early. I woke up several times during the night in danger of rolling out of my
bunk; the boat was pointing west, into the wind but a big southerly swell was coming
into the anchorage causing big ‘rolly- pollys’, whilst the rain was battering off the coach
roof.
05.15 Sourced and sorted the many rattling bits of boat gear and had a cuppa to
celebrate.
Log Reading: 248 n/miles
Distance run: 41 n/miles
Log of Saorsa Friday 16 th July 2010

09.30: Couldn’t stand the rolling any longer and got up. Texted Lesley on holiday in
Sunny Cornwall to see how they were faring;
‘Struggling to stand up and Ramsay says we’re not all to leave the van at once!’
Although Lesley didn’t clarify exactly why they were struggling to stand up, I am
assuming it was because of the wind and nothing whatsoever to do with alcohol.
13.00: After filling some rolls and making up a bag of goodies, swallowed some Brave
Pills and left Ardminish Bay. Once out of the shelter of Gigha, waves and wind
increased and we had a fast bouncy reach north. Al kept rolling the jib out, till we had
beaten the 9.4 I got off Arran. He was a happy bunny after that and stopped tweaking.
Hard work keeping the boat in a straight line with a big southerly swell and westerly
cross-waves. Very few other yachts out. By 16.00 we were regularly getting over 10
kn. Decided that Ardinamir looked best for a quiet night and took turns helming as the
conditions meant it was quite hard work.
17.00: I was helming just south of the Corrievreckan when we hit 12.6 kn. Yee-Haar! I
could feel the tide pulling on the rudder and then the water went completely flat for
about 100 yards all round. Eerie! Spent the rest of the trip peering at the chart plotter,
as the visibility was very bad.
18.00: I had never driven into Ardinamir before and there was a strong cross-wind so I
was a bit wary. Al was keeping a close eye on the chart plotter to see how accurate it
was. Not very; it put us right on top of a big rock to the south of the entrance. If it
hadn’t been near low water with the rock visible, I would have been panicking. We
dropped the anchor and scuttled below for some comforting tea as the visibility had
been very poor with heavy drizzle. Forecast not good and needed an early start so got
off to bed earlyish. Notes read: “Absolutely foul, poor visibility, heavy rain + mist,
occasional squalls”. Sunshine cruise?
36 Miles in 5 hours, Mike says average speed 7.2 knots. No’ bad!
Log Reading: 284 n/miles
Distance run: 36 n/miles
Log of Saorsa Saturday 17 th July 2010

07.30: Lifted anchor. Chaps much amused to see my morning fashion show; nightie by
MacKay’s, wellies and deck jacket by Gill. One has certain standards to maintain whilst
on a yacht, what?!
No wind but dry so motored through Cuan Sound; chart plotter placed us firmly on top of
Cleit Rock, hmm. Popped out of Cuan Sound into a bit of a jabble. I was making a
cuppa (as always) when Al shouted ‘big one!’ and I was treated to the sight of
everything hurtling up vertically by about a foot, before dropping back down; except for
the half-finished bowl of soggy cornflakes which clattered onto the cabin floor and
sprayed Kellogg’s finest everywhere. Most amusing. For the buggers on deck. Kitchen
roll is so handy; wonder how much it would take to choke the skipper.
08.15: Passed through Easdale, noticing that there were now four fast RIBs to take
tourists about. Speculated about how much grant funding had been involved.
09.00: Dropped anchor in Puilladhobrain. Supposed to be Gaelic for ‘Pool of the otter’
but according to Hamish Haswell Smith’s book on the Scottish Islands, ‘The yotters
have scared off the otters’
The book kept us entertained for ages, though we discovered that the author doesn’t
recognise as an island, any place which is connected by a bridge. So Skye’s not an
island, in his opinion! Sounded like a cop-out to us. We had planned to go across the
island to the Tigh an Truish pub for lunch but as the weather was so foul we just dossed
about the boat listening to CDs of ‘I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue’ and tidying up.
14.20: Weighed anchor and motored off for Dunstaffnage. Big seas south of Mull with
occasional heavy showers. Actually quite glad to be going home to work on a floor that
doesn’t move about all over the place. Uneventful motor up through the Firth of Lorne
but the sun came out eventually.
16.10: Arrived at Dunstaffnage and tied up to the pontoon whilst battling a strong crosstide.
Plenty of sun and wind and many rattling halliards. Saw six boats with
‘Gordonstoun International Summer School’ flags flying. Surplus of over-confident,
over-tanned adolescents braying loudly and running about the pontoons, As well as
‘hunners of wee rats-on-strings’ yapping at everyone. Had several rum and cokes to
steady our nerves. Mike went off to book the marina restaurant for tea and returned
soon after with the news that it had been closed since October.
Booked a taxi then went for a much-needed shower.

19.00: Taxi arrived to whisk us off to Oban. Upon driver’s recommendation went to
Cuan Mhor and had a smashing meal. Very busy but friendly and efficient. Having
stuffed our faces, ambled off to the fish pier and thence to McCaig’s Tower to see the
sunset. Very peaceful, just us and 2,500 Japanese tourists.
Speculated as to why aforementioned only seem to have two modes; they’re either
huddled together around their suitcases whispering, or jabbering loudly and taking
photos of each other. Wondered whether they actually noticed the view!
Descended to Harbour Inn and wished we hadn’t bothered. Very spit ‘n’ sawdust. After
a wistful look at the closed shoe shops (me, not the chaps) hailed a taxi back to the
marina and a wee nightcap. Needing some ‘me’ time, I volunteered to attack the
launderette and spent the next hour figuring out how to work the machines.
Met a nice Canadian woman and together we spent a fruitful and enjoyable session
evacuating the washing machines and tumble dryers of someone else’s enormous,
abandoned washing and bunging our own stuff in. Sauntered back to the boat to find
the chaps zonked, so went to bed.
That sounds bad. We went to our own beds. Naturally, I didn’t snore, being a Girl.
Log Reading: 304 n/miles
Distance run: 20 n/miles

Log of Saorsa Sunday 18 th July 2010
Not an early start. Wind increasing again, spitting with rain. Not sure when Bob due to
arrive so listened to The Archers for a bit then went to local shop for a paper, ‘Archers’
plugged into lugs to catch up with shenanigans in Ambridge. Bob arrived 10.00.
10.50: When I returned, met Al and Bob and we repaired to Saorsa for tea and toast.
Bob’s wife Pat and daughter Louise had dropped him off and gone into Oban for coffee
and shops. Advised Bob that I needed to be back at the club to race by 13.30 as Bute
Lot arriving for Inter- Club Challenge. Bob’s wife and wean in Shopping Mode, so no
idea when I would get picked up.
11.50: Bob’s missus and wean trundled back from shopping and as there was the usual
awkward meetings, greetings and goodbyes stuff. Eyebrows definitely raised at my tone
of parting.
12.00: Left Dunstaffnage for Western Ferries, Dunoon. Kipped in back seat. Rude.
13.30: Picked up at ferry terminal by sister Jennie, went to TSC , won race.
16.15: Leave Dunstaffnage for Tobermory.
Carol.
Weather: 24 hour – S/SW 4/5 occasional 6 SE, 3/4 later, occasional rain, mod/good
visibility.
48 hour – SE veering SW 4/5, 6 at times, 3/4 later, sea slight/rough,
Showers, mod visibility.
20.45: Arrived Tobermory, moored at pontoon.
Log Reading: 330 n/miles
Distance run: 26 n/miles

Log of Saorsa Monday 19 th July 2010
08.00: All up, heavy rain, overcast and no wind in harbour.
Rain cleared by lunchtime with hot sunshine for rest of day. Went ashore in
afternoon. Rum running out.
Danny Lamont came onboard 19.00 and gave us his interesting chat, left 21.00.
“True Blue” Moody 31 and Benneteau 393 rafted along side.
Weather changing again, heavy rain shower and overcast.
Log of Saorsa Tuesday 20 th July 2010
07.45: Crew up and about, weather drizzle and no wind, overcast again.
09.00: Preparations to leave Tobermory. Saorsa taken into fuel berth and topped up
with diesel (41.3 litres).
10.00: Left Tobermory on engine, flat calm ,headed north. Motored all the way to Loch
Moidart. Whale recorded off Arnamurchan Point. Weather still drizzle and overcast, no
use for taking photos.

14.15: Arrive and drop anchor behind Eilean Riska.
Skipper rowed us ashore to Castle Tioram and everyone clambered up to the ruined
Castle. Skipper decided he wanted to see the inside.
Log Reading: 355 n/miles
Distance run: 25 n/miles
Castle Tioram Skipper – Rear Commodore
Log of Saorsa Wednesday 21 st July 2010
08.15: What are we getting out our bunks for?
Weather again drizzle, overcast and no wind.
10.00: Left Loch Moidart under engine due to complex exit from loch to find a moderate
sea outside and some wind.
Jib raised and headed north. Motored into Loch Ailort passed Peanmeanoch Bothy up
to head of loch at 13.00 and back down.

Stopped and anchored in sandy bay immediately west of Bothy near entrance to Loch
Ailort for lunch 14.00. Went ashore at 14.30 for photos, weather improved with
temporary sunshine.
15.30: Up anchor and headed north again for Arisaig. Weather further deteriorating,
heavy rain setting in and increasingly moderate sea. Wind now increased to 5/6
northerly and visibility poor.
17.15: Sailed into Arisaig channel and followed the appropriate newly installed road
signs up the channel. Arrived in Arisaig and, anchored off pontoon.
Ate on board due to the inclement weather and fell into bunk at 12.00 midnight.
Log Reading: 383 n/miles
Distance run: 28 n/miles
Peanmeanoch Bothy Sandy bay

Sandy bay Loch Ailort
Arisaig channel signpost: “River Morar”

Arisaig channel signpost: “Alternative Coastal Route” Arisaig

“Saorsa” in Loch Ailort
Log of Saorsa Thursday 22 nd July 2010
08.30: Crew up and having to go ashore for vital stores in Arisaig. After a very wet
evening the night before, from both the weather and our throats, the floating bar has run
dry again and can’t keep up with the demand.
10.45: Up anchor and left Arisaig. Blue sky and sunshine, wind force 3 NW. Weather
improving, main and jib raised. Decided to head for Rum. Best sailing day so far.
14.15: Arrived Rum and dropped anchor off the old harbour. Time to open the bar,
drinks again in the warm sunshine on deck, wind zero.
17.30: All went ashore and walked to Kinloch Castle. Drinks again in the castle bar.
19.30: Back on board Saorsa for a meal and drinks.

Kinloch Castle Isle of Rhum
Bar, Kinloch Castle Heading for Rhum from Arisaig
Log Reading: 400 n/miles

Distance run: 17 n/miles
Log of Saorsa Friday 23 rd July 2010
07.45: Left Rum on engine, no wind, blue sky. Heading for Sound of Sleat.
Light west wind, spinnaker raised for 1½ hours rounding Sleat Point and heading north.
Golden eagle spotted flying across the sound towards Skye at Kyle Rhea.
13.45: Arrived Kyle of Lochalsh, tied up at pontoons alongside the glass bottom boat
below Lochalsh Hotel.
Topped up with water and went ashore for provisions and more booze.
15.30: Left Kyle of Lochalsh heading further north. Light SW breeze, full sail raised.
Passed under Skye Bridge and headed towards the inner north channel. Wind died off
Poll Domhain, decided to anchor in this anchorage 17.45. Weather sunny and warm.
Log Reading: 441 n/miles
Distance run: 41 n/miles
Log of Saorsa Saturday 24 th July 2010
08.00: Bunks emptied. Left anchorage 09.00 heading north for Gairloch.
Weather overcast and dry. SW breeze, spinnaker raised 09.30.
Rain filling in behind, dropped spinnaker 11.30 as wind piped up, following sea slight,
visibility deteriorating.
Two dolphins crossed bow. Weather now very grey with poor visibility and rain.
13.00: Arrived at pontoons in Flowerdale, Gairloch but no room available. Decided to
move to anchorage at Badachro. Anchored 13.30.
Booked evening meals in local Badachro Inn, food good, but proprietor offhand and
uninterested in dealing with his customers
Log Reading: 468 n/miles Distance run: 27 n/miles

Interesting gate message
Badachro Inn, Gairloch
Log of Saorsa Sunday 25 th July 2010
08.00: Crew all up. Weather overcast and rain, little wind, surprise! surprise!.
10.00: Left Badachro under engine heading for north end Island of Rona.
Rain showers and poor visibility, sea slight. Motored down east side of Rona to Rona
Sound and into Acairseid Mhor anchorage on south end of Rona 13.15.
Anchored and had meal.
Still very overcast but presently dry.
14.15: Left Acairseid Mhor heading south under engine. Passed Hebridean Princess
carrying the Queen, heading north in Sound of Raasay, escorted by new Type 45
Destroyer. Visibility poor.
Jib raised off Portree 15.30, but lowered again at 15.45 due to lack of wind.

Motored to Kyleakin. Arrived 19.20 and tied up at pontoons. Invited the crew of another
Moody aboard for drinks. Transpired they had wintered in Rothesay and were friendly
with Robin Taylor. They also knew George and Lola Young.
Log Reading: 512 n/miles
Distance run: 44 n/miles
Approaching Skye Bridge Kyle Rhea Ferry
Log of Saorsa Monday 26 th July 2010
07.30: The day begins.
08.15: Decided to move Saorsa from Kyleakin across to the pontoons at Lochalsh to
stock up with provisions. Left Lochalsh and motored all the way to Arisaig to pick up
new crew member Robbie Livingstone. Insufficient wind and what little there is it’s ‘on
the nose’.
Weather still miserable, very overcast, showers and still wind SW. ‘SHADES OF GREY’
15.45: Arrived Arisaig and picked up Robbie Livingstone at 16.10 at pontoon.

16.10: Dropped anchor off pontoon.
Log Reading: 542 n/miles
Distance run: 30 n/miles
Log of Saorsa Tuesday 27 th July 2010
07.30: Out of bunks and ready for the challenges of the day.
High tide at 07.48. Decided to leave by 09.00 to run south with ebb.
Alasdair and Robbie went ashore to arrange for fuel top-up. Marina doesn’t open until
09.00, too late.
09.00: Up anchor and left Arisaig to head for Island of Muck. Full sail raised. Wind SW
4, moderate sea, showers.
Weather deteriorating and sea state increasing, reefs in then out and back in again!
Continued to head SW towards Muck before veering SE towards Ardnamurchan Light.
Decision made to head for Tobermory instead.
14.45: Arrive Tobermory, weather now dry and sunny. Unable to obtain a pontoon berth.
Orkney Pilot House boat leaving berth to obtain fuel (owners: Angus & Ann) offered their
berth to Saorsa and they would use a shallower berth inshore on the pontoon.
Met Alan Gerrish and wife and invited them onboard Saorsa for evening drinks.
Angus and Ann from the Orkney Pilot boat also invited on board for a drink.
Fuel taken on board 53.95 litres.
Log Reading: 574 n/miles Distance run: 32 n/miles
Log of Saorsa Wednesday 28 th July 2010

08.00: Crew up and about. Weather again rain and no wind, definitely ‘SHADES OF
GREY’
Water tanks topped up.
10.00: Left Tobermory and headed west for Lunga in the Treshnish Isles.
Full sail raised, light SW wind and showers. “Sceptre” observed under sail off the NW of
Mull heading south.
14.45: Arrive Lunga and went ashore to observe the puffins. Weather now dry and
bright but no sunshine.
Puffins on Lunga, Treshnish Isles Seal on Lunga, Treshnish Isles

Tourist boat at Lunga
Tourist boat arrived from Iona and picked up its moored floating jetty within the Lunga
anchorage. The boat, with the jetty tied alongside, then drove the jetty ashore onto the
rocks and remained there until its passengers disembarked ashore. Very interesting
manoeuvre, but it must knock hell out of the jetty being constantly driven up and down a
very rocky shoreline.
Tourist boat at Lunga
17.10: Left Lunga and the Treshnish Isles and headed for Iona. Little wind but dry and
bright.
19.15: Entered Bull Hole in the Sound of Iona. No available room in the anchorage due
to high number of moorings in place. Left Bull Hole under engine and headed for
Tinkers Hole at the other end of the Sound.
20.00: Arrived Tinkers Hole. Two other yachts and Sceptre anchored there.
Meal cooked onboard of chicken and haggis followed by fresh fruit.
Log Reading: 612 n/miles Distance run: 38 n/miles

Sceptre in Tinkers Hole
Log of Saorsa Thursday 29 th July 2010
07.45: Up for breakfast, weather overcast, no wind again but dry. Sceptre left 08.00.
09.45: Up anchor and left Tinkers hole under engine. Motored all the way to Colonsay.
Lunch on route of omelettes.
13.00: Arrive Scalasaig, Colonsay. Anchored to north side of pier. Met Duncan, the
skipper/owner of Farsain, who took TSC members through the Corryvreckan.
Evening meal booked in Colonsay Hotel. Back on board 11.00.
Robbie couldn’t find a cure for the snoring on board. Suggested if he can’t beat it, join
in.

Scalasaig Harbour, Colonsay The 3 ‘Lolly Suckers’
Log Reading: 640 n/miles
Distance run: 28 n/miles
log of Saorsa friday 30 th July 2010
07.15: Out of bunks and had breakfast.
0815: Up anchor and left Colonsay, heading for Ardinamir via the Corryvreckan.
Weather: SE wind 4/5, overcast, heavy rain showers. Full sail raised. One reef in main
off Jura shore. Wind gusting to 31 knots off Jura shore. Jib rolled in.
Arrived too early off Corryvreckan for slack tide, main sail dropped and motored into
Glen Garisdale bay to look at the bothy near the shore. Decided to proceed to Bay of
Pigs and await slack water in the pool.
Speed entering Bay of Pigs on ebb 12.4 knots
11.30: Anchored in Bay of Pigs. Had lunch of cup-a-soup and toast.
12.30: Up anchor and proceeded through Corryvreckan on engine for Ardinamir.
Heavy rain and mist, Wind S light

14.30: Arrive Ardinamir in miserable weather. Glad we’re nearing Croabh due to this
awful weather.
Rain ceased, Robbie went ashore for a walk and some photos. Weather too dark to
obtain anything useful.
Log Reading: 656 n/miles
Distance run: 16 n/miles
Log of Saorsa Saturday 31 st July 2010
07.30: Crew all up early to prepare Saorsa for hand over at Croabh Haven Marina.
Weather overcast and showers. It has certainly lived up to its name this last fortnight of
“SHADES OF GREY”
Saorsa cleaned up and cruising jib removed in preparation for racing in West Highland
Week.
10.15: Anchor lifted and motored out of Ardinamir heading for Croabh Marina.
11.00: Arrive Croabh Marina and tied up at pontoon berth. Rubber dinghy deflated and
stored under aft deck.
Final Log Reading: 659 n/miles
Final Distance run: 3 n/miles
14.00: Await arrival of Gregor Finlay and his new crew in preparation for West Highland
Week racing.
Existing crew left by car for Toward and home.
Total distance sailed: 449 n/miles
End of holiday.
Log of Saorsa Saturday 7 th August 2010
Bob.

Return trip from Dunstaffnage to Toward following West
Highland Week
Saorsa berthed at Dunstaffnage Marina after West Highland Week ready for return
home
11.30: Alasdair picked me up and we went to Rod’s to collect him and his luggage. He
plonked a huge sailing bag aboard, which fairly tested the Volvo’s springs. Upon
enquiring why he had such an enormous amount of gear, son Greg offered the
information that “Dad’s just like Gok Wan.”……. Um, no, I don’t think so…
13.00: Arrived at Dunstaffnage Marina. Gregor still a bit shell-shocked as all the rest of
the crew had disappeared at sparrow-fart leaving him to tidy the boat prior to Dad’s
arrival. Everything very nice and clean though. Loaded bags, during which procedure
Al’s glasses plopped out of his shirt pocket into the marina. Just as well they were only
an Asda £10.00 pair. Went to Tesco for supplies, refuelled and set off south.
16.15: Wind westerly, fantastic reach south.
Rod driving, proclaimed himself a Happy

Rodney enjoying his other hobby – Cheers.
Bunny. Ate Doreen’s lovely chilli on the way.
Wind died at 19.00, just as if it had been
switched off, so tin topsail deployed for the
remainder of the leg.
21.20: Dropped anchor in Inverlussa, Jura. Four other boats already anchored. Port
Isaac Fisherman’s Friends on the CD player, much sea shanty-ing. Sunny and calm,
gin, bliss!
Log of Saorsa Sunday 08 th August 2010
.08.00: Anchor up and off we went. Sunny with a bit of a breeze; which died about five
minutes after we hoisted the mainsail. Bugger.
Motored to Rathlin via west end; very uneventfully and very few yachts around.

West Light, Rathlin. Building on top, light at the bottom!
16.40: Parked in the harbour. Had a wee dram to settle our nerves and watched the
ferry come in to park. It got really quite a lot closer than we thought it should!
Visited the pub and had a great craic with the Wild Wimmen of Rathlin.

I went for a wander around and discovered the latest Rathlin Raft Race entrant.
LOG OF SAORSA Monday 09 th August 2010
10.15: Al and I took the bus to the west light while Rod elected to visit the museum.
Bus driver a hoot; ‘Looking to the right, we can see the University of Rathlin,’ (Local
primary school with six pupils) ‘whilst along here, there is a building which has been
visited by many international architects seeking inspiration’ (GPO building apparently
designed by East German accountants) The trip was interesting as much for the patter
as for the geography; something like being on a roller coaster without the Health And
Safety Initiative input. The west light was incredible; hundreds of tons of concrete had
been trundled up by boat and horse to make the only upside-down lighthouse in the
British Isles, whilst hundreds of sea birds were messing about feeding their young and
trying to teach them to fly.

Rathlin West Light and harbour
12.15: Left Rathlin with a westerly wind behind us, motorsailing. Sunny. Al’s admin
error meant that the tides weren’t doing what they should have been, so progress was
not as swift as it might have been but at least it wasn’t raining. Much! As we were
motoring, took the opportunity to have an on-board shower; what luxury! Forecast said
‘Complex Low’ and ‘Thundery Showers’.
19.45: Arrived Campbeltown.
36 miles in 7.5 hours. Had food and a wee dram or two while we waited for the
Continuous Heavy Rain to stop. It didn’t, so we stayed on board and blethered then
went off to bed early as Rod had to be in Portpatrick the following afternoon for his wee
boy’s 21 st birthday bash.
Log of Saorsa Tuesday 10 th August 2010

09.00: Left Campbeltown at 09.00, motoring and sailing as the wind filled and died.
Sunny and picturesque. Arrived at Toward early afternoon and unloaded the bags. Al
went up to get his car and ran Rod into Dunoon for the next part of his adventure…
Toward Point, the perfect start and finish to any sailing trip.
Summary of Return Trip:
Typical Glasgow Fair weather; wet, windy and dreich. Got to confirm and repeat our
thoughts of this holiday, “SHADES OF GREY” Fast sailing off the wind, which is always
good, as long as you don’t expect reasonable visibility. Chart plotter (grudgingly; I’m a
technophobe); good. Company excellent, boat smashing apart from lack of

Eberspacher heater. Must be getting soft in my old age! Very glad to note that despite
numerous magazine articles, west coast not overpopulated by yotters. Still dismayed
by the fact that even though sailing brings into the Scottish economy as much money as
golfing does, the Glasgow Herald ignores it completely. Bring back George Finlay.
The Wind in the Willows:
To quote Ratty from:
There is nothing - absolutely nothing - half much worth doing as simply messing about
boats.”
Except maybe a spot of camping!
Carol.

Log of Saorsa July/August 2010
Weather forecast briefs received:
17 th July: Caledonian - S-SW veering SE 3-4 occas 5, occas rain.
24 hour: S/SW 4-5 veering SE 3-4 later, occas rain, vis mod/good.
48 hour: SE veering SW 4-5 occas 6 at times, dec 3-4 later, sea slight/rough
south of Skye, showers, vis mod.
18 th July: Caledonian – SW veering SE 3-4 inc 5 for a time, sea mod, rain.
19 th July: Minch – 24 hour: SW becoming Variable 3 then NE 4-5, showers, sea mod.
48 hour: N or NE 5-6 dec 3-4, showers, good.
21 st July: Caledonian - N 5-7, dec 3-4, variable later, vis mod/good, showers.
22 nd July: Caledonian - N becoming S later 3-4, showers, good.
23 rd July: Caledonian – S/SW 4-5 inc 5-6 for a time, showers, vis good becoming
mod/poor.

24 th July: Minch – S becoming SW 4-5, 6 at first, showers.
25 th July: Minch - W/SW veering S 3-4, showers.
26 th July: Minch - S/SW 2-3 inc 4-5, ocass rain.
27thJuly: Minch - SW 4-5 ocass 6, showers/ocass rain.
28thJuly: Clyde – W/SW becoming NW 3-4 ocass 5 later, rain, showers later.
29thJuly: Clyde - W/NW becoming variable becoming SE 3-4, showers, rain later.
:

Sailing Home

In Appreciation:
To the Skipper, Alasdair Finlay for his continuing kindness in giving
the crew, the opportunities of a lifetime seeing, enjoying and
embracing the friendship of meeting up with friends who all have
the same aspirations and leisure pursuit of sailing.
Also to “Saorsa” for her superb sailing qualities and safe haven to
all who sail in her.
The Crew
End of Log