Tarbert in the rain, Burnt Isles in the sun

Yesterday was not a day to be outside, let alone sailing! The rain in Tarbert never stopped, or if it did, not for long enough to notice. This, coupled with fierce blasts of wind down the harbour, put us off the thought of going for the walk we had originally planned so Debbie did some catching up with her Forever customers and David did some planning on possible ports of refuge when we were ready to move on.

At least we were warm and dry with a heater for when the cabin got chilly. We felt sorry for 4 guys who were single handed sailing in 3 Cornish Shrimpers and a Corribee. They were on an annual weeks cruise around the Clyde area and were originally moored in the bay adjacent the marina. They eventually succumbed to the temptation of pontoon berths and hot showers! Even so there is not much space to do things in a small boat with only sitting headroom when you can't use the cockpit, especially if you are 6' 7" tall! They joined us in Lacerta's cabin for tea and biscuits and a chat and were good company.

Half of the flotilla. 6'7" Tim in the foreground.

The forecast for today was still for strong winds, Force 5 to 7 from the South or South West but rain showers rather than continuous rain. The forecast going forward continued the strong wind theme with gales in the Irish Sea, Malin and Hebrides. We opted for the relatively short passage, down Loch Fyne, up the West Kyle to the Burnt Isles to anchor in the sinister sounding Wreck Bay. If you look on a map the Burnt Isles are right at the Northern tip of the Isle of Bute. It will then become obvious why we chose the spot! Our new colleagues in the Corribee/Shrimper flotilla were also heading in the same direction.

We opted for a reefed genoa and no mainsail for the trip, the Shrimpers and Corribee went for double reefed mains and full jibs. We were making 6 or 7 knots reasonably comfortably, even with 30 knots in the rain squalls. The small boats were having a harder time of it. By 13.30 we were anchored in Wreck Bay in flat water, still affected by strong gusts over the hills. We had tidied the boat up, had lunch and went ashore in the dinghy for a walk by the time the Corribee appeared around the corner, followed a little later by the Shrimpers. We pulled alongside the Corribee to get an email address so that we could send on photographs that we had taken of the little fleet during the day to discover that the owner, Sam, was Sam Llewellyn, the author of sailing based novels, most of which are in David's bookcase! His Corribee is his "minimum boat".

Hard work in a Shrimper,

Quieter waters in the West Kyle

While we were in the dinghy we decided to explore around the Burnt Isles and were rewarded with a baby seal, loads of Eider Ducks and Oystercatchers.

Baby seal.

Eiders on patrol

Oystercatcher in flight

The Corribee/Shrimper flotilla decided to move further on into the East Kyle so we now have the bay, which looks very isolated, all to ourselves. Oddly enough we have the best phone and internet signal we have had for ages!

We have the bay to ourselves.

Tomorrow we have an even shorter, 6 mile, trip down the East Kyle to Port Bannatyne where we are meeting Jill Manchester and Candy Vowles ( both ex Beardsmore) and their mother and sisters. Jill and Candy are friends from schools sailing days and are having a girls week holiday in Dunoon. Amazing to meet up so far away from home!

 

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