From Ruillxxxx to Tinkers hole.

Another from the nighttime Tobermorey. Will try and send some pics later.

So:

Beautiful early day, calm, morning sunshine, very gentle breeze. Ten boats at anchor. We took it easy, waiting for the promised sailing wind, and left mid-morning for points west, along the south coast of Mull.

There wasn’t a sailing wind initially, but the sun shone and we absorbed its much-appreciated warmth. Hoisted and prepared the gennaker, in the hopes. And yes, at around midday a 7 knot breeze came in from the north and the glassy sea got ripples. Unrolled the gennaker and it could just hold the angle. Other boats from the anchorage which had left before us, heading the same way and sailing, were gradually overtaken to the skipper’s glee, (but they didn’t have gennakers!). We sailed for two whole hours, before the bulging cumulus clouds began to suck the wind and ours died.

The area must have been rich with fish, as we enjoyed both watching gannets diving from a height, (I wonder if they shut their eyes before hitting the water), and flocks of guillimots diving from the surface.

On with the engine again and we were part of a small flotilla. Sidled over to another boat to ask if they were heading for Tinkers Hole? “Yes”, And had they been there before? “No, but the boat back there has and they were going to show us the way”. Wait? No. Carry on.

A new breeze came in, from the north-west, and gradually increased to 15 knots. A sailors delight, and we were soon ahead of the fleet, Josin at max speed.

Got to Tinkers Hole, to find it with two other boats, one tied up just as friend Peter had recommended. Space for one only. So, we attempted to anchor. Three times. Each time dragging an enormous amount of seaweed, but no holding. Comment from neighbour: “Don’t take all the weed, there won’t be any left for others!”

Putter a bit further north, (recommended by him in “Peter’s” place), and found good holding sand, without weed. Up with the anchor-sail in the backstay, watch the situation for half an hour, approve, then retire for a well-earned cuppa.

Late evening and the wind is still blowing, quite contrary to the forecast, so it may well be a nervous night. Anchor watch alarm nevertheless set.

Sunset over Iona in a cloudless sky. Very bright. To Iona tomorrow. Alls well