This was always going to be a learning process and more about letting the blog develop according to what's happening rather than try to stick to a process.
The first significant change was not being able to write an entry each day. By the time we had finished sailing, showered and sorted our evening meal etc it was too late for mind & body. However, I did make notes & drawings most days in my sketchbook. Some of those notes I will transcribe here and some of the sketches I will share too.
The football didn't go well: England lost on penalties. Scotland was noticeably supporting Italy and many Italian flags were flying in the marina and through Oban. At the end of the game, shouting, cheering, chanting, car horns blaring and all manner of celebration could be heard along the quay and in the town. Everything quietened down soon enough and we were able to enjoy the sunset in peace and quietly reflect on the impact of Boris and Brexit.
The following day we headed south.
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| sunset in Oban |
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| Oban, across the harbour |
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| Oban, towards the promenade |
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| leaving Oban |
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| leaving Oban |
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| Isle of Seil |
We passed the Isle of Seil, a place we had visited a few times before by road and via a footpath after anchoring in Loch Phoaldorian. Seil is one of the Slate Islands and are said to have roofed the world. This place also holds the world Stone Skimming Championship. By land, Seil is on the other side of Clachan Bridge aka The Bridge over the Atlantic, a tall arching bridge which was built to allow vessels to pass underneath.
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| Bridge over the Atlantic - from an earlier visit |
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| overfalls near Fladder |
I quickly discovered how fascinating water is on this trip.
The overfalls near Fladder produce flat, calm, reflective circles of water between areas of dark blue, short waves. However, not a place for an inexperienced swimmer. The overfalls reminded me of Monet's waterlily paintings unlike the Corryvrecken which, at the right state of the tide is the third largest whirlpool in the world. On a good day, this area of water can be like going through a washing machine.
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| Craobh Marina |
We spent a beautiful clear evening in Craobh Marina (say Croove). Pub on hand and showers. The view from the hotel leads your eye over the land in the distance, to another loch.  |
| opposite Fladder Lighthouse |
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| Tayvallich, on the road to Carsaig looking towards our mooring |
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| Tayvallich from our mooring |
Tayvallich, about 5 miles up Loch Sween is a picturesque village overlooking the sheltered bay. Here we found delicious soda bread and somewhere to buy butane gas for the cooker. The heavy gas cannister needed to be brought back to the jetty, loaded onto the dinghy and taken back on board EB. No problem, the gentleman who sold us the gas brought it to jetty for us in his golf buggy. A suitable line was attached and the rest proved a lot easier than anticipated. My other half, never one to resist using muscle power, was ready to carry it the 1/2 mile or so on his shoulders. I wonder why he has dodgy knees.
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| our mooring - EB's mast is 2nd on the left |
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