We all (the volunteers that is) had a better night’s sleep as skipper Dave had this time remembered to tie off the anchor chain so it didn’t clank all night ,( he’ll never live it down) Unbeknown to us he was awake all night worrying whether the anchor would hold or not! It helps to be blissfully unaware at times like this. Woke up bright & bushy tailed ready for our early start in an attempt to use the window in the weather between the gales. The day was innocently calm in the shelter of West Loch Tarbert, with it’s wonderful raised pebble beaches looking quite surreal as if they were floating way above the waterline. They reminded me of Salvador Dali’s paintings of flying loaves. We had a quick breakfast , hauled up the anchor, and my task was to go below into my cabin, practically climb into the cupboard once a huge red buoy had been removed (the biggest boy I’ve ever had in my bedroom) in order to coil the chain from the second anchor into the chain locker situated in the cupboard. (see…a nautical term !) I am a total novice at sailing and am learning ‘on the job’. I now know what a chain locker is. As we chugged out of the loch there were seals swimming,and a small flock of shag drying their wings on the rocks. Terydactyl like herons flew overhead as we left the shelter of land and headed into the open sea., getting choppier by the minute. The mizzen sail & jib were raised and I went to the bows to be ‘on effort’ armed with a pair of binoculars and every layer of clothes that would fit under my waterproofs which felt pretty soggy from yesterday.. I’m feeling much more confident now, standing at the bows strapped to the mast as the Silurian surges through the water like a bucking bronco, being deluged by spray and enjoying every minute of it. The skies cleared for a little while and we had our first patch of blue which brought the seascape to life It turned the sea into shades of cerulean blue and peacock green as we sailed past Colonsay , just a grey blue silhouette to port.. Wonderful seascape as we flew through the waves, the sun shining dazzlingly on the water, and it would have made a superb subject for a watercolour painting. The wind increased steadily, and when I came off effort having spotted nothing but a flock of shearwaters skimming the waves, (it was an orange welly boot yesterday) we were getting into really big seas. Wind rose to Gale force 7 to 8 we were flying along at 7 knots. Wind at sometimes at 40 knots. WOW ! Waves became HUGE and it’s the first time I’ve been at sea when the horizon has been obliterated ! The peaks and troughs were awe inspiring and having learnt that the nautical term for the worst weather imaginable is termed ‘Phenomenal’ it felt as though it definitely should have applied today. It felt phenomenal to me anyway. Song broke out to stern, great merriment as the songs got ruder and louder through exhilaration or hysteria….not sure which.Yesterday’s flapjack, accompanied by hot tea was a lifesaver when anyone was able to get to the galley safely , and we weathered the storm with its breaks of sunshine & rainbows, travelling north up the approaches to the Firth of Lorn, seeking the shelter of Oban Marina on a little island called Kerrera. We moored up on the marina, indulged in hot showers while Chris fished, and caught Mackerel which I cooked for starters. Food for free. Debs had cooked a yummy mountain of fish pie and broccoli . Rick Stein would have been proud of us ! We were joined by an American called Peter. He comes from Maine and is involved in Marine research there. Hope he brings us luck and finds us some marine life to research tomorrow. And so to bed after a very exciting exhilarating PHENOMENAL day.