A Big Thanks

[Gardenshed]

The "off sailing" thread started by Nick is a result of my request for some assistance moving my boat so I'd like to post some more of the details as a thank you to Nick and to lordmacdonald:

What could be more barking mad than 3 men in a boat in the dark sailing off round the Mull in midwinter, two of whom had never been on the boat before? Good job there was a full moon to bark at!

This tale started on mon 15th when I was sitting in the car park at Kip in the pouring rain, 4 degrees and speaking to Nick for the first time about another matter. I dropped into the conversation a request for some assistance to move my boat from Dunstaffnage to Troon. November in Scotland, some of the darkest days of the year, a major gale blowing at the time and continuous lows tracking across the Atlantic
Ok sounds good says Nick (who at this time, I hadn't met)

Similar request to his lordship, lordmacdonald of dunstaffnage-but-maybesomewherelse-when-we-fancy-new-scenery and assuming work commitments were cleared, an instant aye, sounds like a grand idea.

Departed Dunstaffnage at 16:30 after topping off the tanks and some familiarisation with the boat. Settled weather, little or no breeze, broken or no cloud forecast and a full moon. For the time of year, it really couldn't have been better (well +20 degrees would have been great).

A gentle motorsail down to the Mull, dinner south of Gigha and then a gentleman's agreement about who should sleep and when. No need for formal watch keeping as the passage would be less than 24hrs, just a few hours kip and dodging downstairs occasionally to warm up.

Spectacular visibility at the southern tip of the Mull. Rathlin light and the lights of Ballycastle clearly visible and the loom of Belfast in the distance. The moon was bright enough to ruin your night vision. Absolutely stunning, enchanting, magical. Could you capture this on film?

Breakfast just after Sanda and then as some breeze kicked in, off with the engine and some proper sailing across to Pladda and then on towards Troon, berthed at around 12:00

The boat tidied up, a swift bite of lunch and then a relaxing drive north turning into the Marina at 16:00.

Lordmacdonald, Nick: Many thanks. Great to have you both on board. To the next time.....

[Orla]

Thanks Neil really enjoyed the trip, just a pity we didnt turn right.
If you want it delivered to Thailand, just say the word...........
Cant beat at night passage under a full moon on the west coast...

Till the next time
Dougie

[Nick]

Thanks Neil really enjoyed the trip, just a pity we didnt turn right.
If you want it delivered to Thailand, just say the word...........
Cant beat at night passage under a full moon on the west coast...

Till the next time
Dougie

Bit early to turn right - the butter definitely wasn't for melting.

I have never been able to see as far . . . way past Bloody Foreland, along the Antrim coast and beyond - I reckon you could see Donegal. I had the privilege of rounding the Mull on my own at the wheel in the moonglare and calm while the others snoozed . . . the best weather I have ever experienced the Mull in.

A fine boat and excellent company, and a braw wee mini-adventure snatched fromn the onrushing jaws of Winter. Another volunteer for the Thailand delivery here.

[Mark]

Sounds a wonderful trip, makes me realize even more how much work and the South utterly sucks.