Glorious 3 & 4 July 2011

Well ! 3 glorious days on the water around Cumbrae and Bute, glorious!
Dolphins, cracking clear scenery and lots of sea-goers enjoying the weather and conditions.
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Sun 3 July 11

Summer has arrived at last, Kilchattan Bay . No wind, very little cloud, scorchio!
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1st start!

First start of the year and on only 2 turns of the key. Tell tale stronger than a horse peeing in a trough!!
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Aug 2010

08.08.2010

Weather: Sunny. Wind:SSE  

Fuelled up at Largs Yacht Haven then headed down east side of Cumbrae to south end of Bute and followed the east coast of Bute back up to Rothesay. Spent couple of hourse walking around a quiet Rothesay in the sun and warmth. Coffee at the Black Bull before heading home. Fairly "lumpy" on way back but good test for the vertebrae!!

05.08.2010

Weather: Sunny, Wind WNW 10-15mph

Great day out in the Firth of Clyde. Extremely lucky to film some playful dolphins who came alongside and followed us

03 & 04.08.2010

Weather: Fair, Wind WNW 15-20mph

Few runs testing the engine etc

02.08.2010

Weather: Sunny, Wind WNW 15-18mph

Travelled to Kames, Argyll, lunch at the Kames Hotel, very good food and as always, a warm welcome. Stayed there until 1600hrs and 40 mins later were back home, wind & tide behind us, return journey 10mins shorter than on the way there!

A Trip on Endeavour, Mon 12 July

Trying out a Fuji S8100 camera on a trip on the "Endeavour". Some crackin' results ! The beauty is with 18x Optical zoom, you don't have too get too close and disturb the locals!

   

 

Relaxing behind Wee Cumbrae

Lucky enough to spot dolphins too and with considerable patience and a half-cocked shutter ready, managed to get these shots.....

April Travels, no boat though!

Well, a last minute decision to take a few days in Skye led to us enjoying some fantastic weather, its more like the Med here than Scotland !!!

Monday this week saw us leaving superb weather in Cumbrae to drive northwards to Ft William our selected "stop-off", breaking the journey to Skye. Absolutely great weather all the way north, sunroof open, music on, FANTASTIC drive, up Loch Lomond side, thru Glencoe to Fort William, breath taking scenery.

Overnight in Ft William, and departed Tues AM for Skye, again, sunny, warm, Glen Shiel was fantastic, over THE bridge to Skye and still sunny!! UNbelievable scenery all the way to Portree where we'd booked the Rosedale Hotel. Can very highly recommend this hotel, looks right onto Portree's harbour, very warm welcome and staff very helpful & friendly, rooms etc spotless. A tour of the local hostelries later revealed GREAT live TRADITIONAL music in the Isles Inn, Portree,(2 accordionists (Sam & James Stewart), fiddle & guitar, BRILLIANT!). Unfortunately, the pub seemed to run out of vodka !!!

Wednesday, drove to Dunvegan Castle, some repairs going on to the roof at present but the interior is certainly quite interesting. Headed south then down to Portnalong, passing Talisker (but not stopping!!) before heading back to Portree late afternoon .

Some pics from Wednesdays drive:

Heading NE from Portnalong towards the Cuillins

 

The Cuillins themselves:

 

Thursday, we headed up Trotternish, passing the Old Man of Storr, then the Kilt Rocks and adjacent waterfall, passing Duntulm castle before heading to Uig. We stopped at the Skye Museum of Island Life, Kilmuir , have to say, the best £2.50 value for money museum ever, gives a real insight to all aspects of island life thru the ages, really excellent, don't miss it out if you visit Skye!

Here's some pics of Thursdays trip, then off to find more music!

The Old Man Of Storr:

 

The basalt pillars of Kilt Rocks, nr Staffin & waterfall

  

And the view south from the same point:

  

The Museum of Island Life, Kilmuir:

  WELL WORTH A VISIT !

RYA First Aid & VHF/GMDSS Courses Coming Soon

Great news for anyone looking to get qualified or refresh their skills, Harry Middleditch, Geronimo Sailing School will be running courses soon. If interested, contact Harry via Geronimo Sailing School site  for proposed dates or contact me for Harry's number.