Good evening from the Silurian, currently anchored in the lovely Loch Spelve (Mull)… and gosh we couldn’t have been luckier for the first day of the trip – blue skies, calm mirror seas (ideal for spotting our elusive porpoises), and glorious sunshine. We have 5 new Earthwatch volunteers – Robert (British), Shea (Sri Lankan), Ale (Brazilian), Carla (Italian) and Prash (Indian), not to mention my assistant Marjolaine (French), Graham-the-skipper (Scottish), Marcus-first-mate (Isle of Muck) and me-the-science-persony-thingy (British). We set off down the Sound of Mull to plenty of jellyfish… and calm seas… perfect spotting weather – but where were the whales? Eventually Marj & Carla spotted a few porpoises, but alas apart from a group of feeding terns (beautiful delicate birds picking small fishes from the surface of the sea), and a couple of seals watching us pass with their beady little eyes… no more animals. However, with the fantastic weather, we had fabulous views of the mountainous landscape. Tonight we anchored in this sheltered suntrap of a bay, and a few brave souls had a bracing (I can speak from first hand knowledge here…. BRRRRRRR) swim in the jellyfish-infested waters. Meanwhile, a few others went exploring the local wildlife, Ale returning with trainers full of bogwater and ferns…. Presumably to add to her garden on returning to Brazil (probably too hot there for the fern!!). That’s all from here, currently looking forward to our balti… mmmmmmmm.

;o) Clare (with artistic guidance from Robert)