Loch Drumbuie, Tobermory and Loch Aline

A 2-day trip up the Sound of Mull

Brothers Arthur and Ronnie enjoying the early-morning sun in Loch Aline

Ronnie, Arthur and daughter Jennifer in Oban Bay at the end of a very happy cruise.

Jura and Luing

A 3-day cruise south to Jura, one of our favourite cruise destinations.

Looking west on Luing with Fladda Lighthouse, The Garvellachs and Mull in the distance

At Barnhill on Jura where George Orwell wrote 1984

Jura and Islay

A four-day cruise from Oban with visits to Lunga, Jura, Islay and Knapdale.

On the way from Lunga to Jura

Book club on the after deck.

Ready to go ashore at Carsaig Bay.

Mull, Muck and Moidart

Three generations of one family joined us for a week's cruise from Oban. The passage round Ardnamurchan was a little bouncy but well worth it for our visit to the picturesque Loch Moidart,

with the ruin of Somerled's 14th century Castle Tioram dominating its surroundings.

West Highland Yachting Week 2015

We participated once again in this famous Scottish regatta as one of the committee boats, mostly acting as start boat.

The weather for the week was mixed, from this dramatic sky to near gale conditions.

But the race team managed the event with the usual mixture of fun and professionalism.

Coll, Iona, Staffa and Ulva.

From Oban we cruised to Tobermory for our first night. We then went on to Arinagour on Coll where we bought a bag of scallops from a local fishing boat. After an early start we had breakfast in the Sound of Iona and had time to clean the scallops before going ashore.

The view up the Sound of Iona, with the Cathedral on the left, showing how clear the waters are in this part of the Hebrides.

Our next overnight anchorage was at Cragaig Bay on Ulva. On the way we stopped at Staffa to admire at Fingal's Cave.

From there it was back to Tobermory for a walk at Aros Park, then on to Lochaline for our final night.

Black Isles, Colonsay and Jura

We had a bit of time spare in June so took a run down from Oban to the Black Ises, Eilean Dubh Beag (little) and Mor (big).

The vegetation is short and the ground dry so very pleasant to explore. The Common Spotted Orchid lived up to its name, with a limestone outcrop behind that looks almost like marble.

From there we went down to Loch Staosnaig on Colonsay for the night and then on to adjoining Oronsay before crossing back to the remote Loch Tarbert on Jura. Then up to the Bay of Pigs, an anchorage at the entrance to the Corryvreckan,

which would be better named The Bay of Goats, for they outnumbered even the Red Deer which make up the bulk of Jura's population.

White Tailed Eagle

Out with friends for the weekend, we steamed past a nest site in the Lynn of Morvern and were rewarded with the sight of this Sea Eagle and its mate soaring over the Loch.

Neptune Yachting Moteur

We had the pleasure of Didier and Francois' company for a quick run up to Tobermory and back.

They are writing a magazine feature to be published later this summer about Chico and boating on the west coast.

Puffins on the Treshnish Isles

An unforgetable experience. The puffins completely ignore their human visitors while they get busy with nesting in rabbit burrows.

Whatever it was it must have been interesting!

Summer at last

First cruise for 2015

The weather wasn't great but that didn't put our Norwegian guests off, they had come fully equipped for a Scottish summer.

It was cosy inside though

and the sun did come out eventually.

Former owner on board

We were delighted to meet up with Alex, who owned Chico from 1994-97, and various friends, some of whom had helped out then.

It was great to see her photos and hear about another phase of Chico's life. 

July, August and September 2014

We haven't been very diligent at posting on the blog, but here is a selection of photos from last summer.

Lifejackets all round!

Sharing a peaceful anchorage with Kentra, another 1930's yacht.

West Highland Yachting Week committee. Say no more!

The unmistakeable profile of Rum, from Eigg.

The Victorian splendour of Kinloch Castle on Rum.

Approaching the dramatic anchorage of Loch Scavaig on the south coast of Skye.

Sandaig, where Gavin Maxwell lived with the otters made famous in A Ring of Bright Water.

and a poignant memorial to a remarkable man.

Saying goodbye at the end of another cruise.

Going for a stroll on Coll

and just messing about on the beach.

Coming back up the Kilbrannan Sound from Campbeltown. It is a bit of a wind tunnel and can be quite choppy, but this not day in September. Literally flat calm with  sun shining through hazy mist.

Chico in the Baltic

A former crewman on Chico got in touch and kindly emailed some photos of Chico visiting the Baltic  in 1971. She was leased at that time to Marconi Marine as a demonstration vessel for their marine products. Leaving from Tower pier in London at the end of May, she transited the Kiel Canal and visited 12 Baltic ports including Stockholm, Helsinki and Leningrad, returning to the UK at the end of July.

Alongside in Stockholm

 Receiving the British ambassador to the USSR (2nd from right) on board, Leningrad.

A formidable selection of Marconi radars on the coachroof. The Hammer and Sickle courtesy flag is flying, so probably Leningrad again.

The internet and Chico's website have enabled several former crew to get in touch, and we're looking forward to meeting up with a former owner next month for a day out from Oban.