Cruise from Loch Craignish to Loch Sween and Jura

Sunset , Loch Craignish, looking towards Ardfern Marina

Chico anchored off Eilean Mor, MacCormaig Isles.  Chapel in foreground.

Chapel of St Cormaig

Enjoying glorious weather on Eilean Mor

Splendid view of The Paps  from Loch Na Mile, Jura

Loch Craignish: looking towards Eilean Righ and Eilean Macaskin

Cruise from Holy Loch to Loch Fyne



Headling down the Firth of Clyde from the Holy Loch

Anchored off Otter Ferry, Loch Fyne

 

Walk around Barmore Island, Loch Fyne






  


Anchored off Barmore Island

View from Wreck Bay, Kyles of Bute

Ella and Alexander, two of our youngest guests, waiting to go ashore

Tall Ships 2011

 The fleet of Tall Ships leaving the Clyde was an impressive sight.  Boats of all shapes and sizes turned out for the spectacle.

The paddle steamer, Waverley, adds to the spectacle



Around Arran

Torrisdale Bay on Kintyre, looking accross to Arran.

'Lady Chico' takes a break at Torrisdale. We could have spent all week here, a deserted beach in a remote spot.

The extraordinary volcanic plug that is Ailsa Craig, affectionately known as 'Paddy's Milestone'.

Lamlash, looking more like Switzerland with Arran's mountains rearing up behind.

Out and about in the sunshine

The start of June has brought more settled weather, allowing us to get on with some painting and varnishing while visiting some delightful spots in the Firth of Clyde.

Tropical Rothesay

Historic Castle Lachlan. 

Although midsummer, the trees in the background have been damaged with salt spray from the May gale turning the foliage brown. This is a common sight on all west facing shores with deciduous trees worst affected but conifers suffering as well.

Midsummer night, with one of the most dramatic skies that I've ever seen.



Bank Holiday races from Tarbert, Loch Fyne

Heading south from Loch Gair to Great Cumbrae we enjoyed the spectacle of 40+ yachts racing around marks between Tarbert and Portavadie.  It seemed more like The Solent than Loch Fyne.

Loch Gair

Loch Gair, just north of Lochgilphead, was just the place to ride out the unseasonal May storms. It's a small circular loch that is only open to the east.

The folly on the point was built  in the 19th century by the local laird in the fashion of the day.

Barmore Island

Looking north to Stonefield Castle on the west shore of Loch Fyne, this anchorage has good shelter from the west and north and lovely views down Loch Fyne.

Millport, Great Cumbrae

Sheltering from strong easterly winds in Millport Bay.  Chico attracted some local interest - see http://www.s1millport.com/news/dunkirk-veteran-graces-millport.html 

OUT OF THE WATER

Over Easter we took Chico out of the water at Ardmaleish Boatyard on Bute for some maintenance and a repaint. Two days spent cleaning up the copper sheathing and props have paid off, giving us nearly 2 knots in reduced drag.

Out and about again

We left Portavadie Marina during the first week in April, steaming south past Arran on our way to Rothesay through a flat, oily sea.  







At anchor in Rothesay Bay



Spring is almost here

In Spring, a boat owner's thoughts          turn to.........varnishing!

Winter 2011

This winter we're berthed at Portavadie Marina, on Loch Fyne.


Beautiful, sunny and still, if a little cold! Our only outing so far has been across the loch to Tarbert to give the Gardners a little exercise.