Position at Anchor 55º40.095 N 006º 02.124W
Distance Travelled 65 NM
Weather overcast, but not very windy, so it did not feel as cold as yesterday. One layer less I reckon!

Well – that old generator went off this morning, and then the kettle went on, and I finally got to the point when I just had to open eyes and get up! Everyone else (of course) was already at breakfast and as soon as we had finished, we set off, having hauled up, by hand, yards of anchor. The weather was quiet, and we soon spotted a porpoise in the Firth of Lorne, but after that things went rather quiet - especially when the engine failed! Dave tried to get some sail out of her, while Duncan stripped off (well, not completely), and climbed down into the engine room to sort out the filters). There was not really enough wind to sail, and the water was full of chaotic currents and little overfalls, which pushed the boat about – this was in Corrievreckan. On the way through we spotted what Duncan thought was a golden eagle, but it was difficult to see colour and shape distinctly. Work went on – watching and recording, and Duncan finally got the engine going again, which was just as well as we had come down to about 1.2 knots through the water, and then finally to a standstill. So – we regained our required 6 knots and went on our way. Still not much activity, apart from a very few porpoise, some jellyfish, guillemot and some gannets (oh – and a carrier bag – plastic!). Although we did not seem to see a lot, Clare reported about 40 odd hits with the hydrophone. To liven things up we thought about putting someone in the crows nest. Barb went up first, somewhat cautiously, but with great success, and spent a happy hour sitting up above us. The sea state however was too disturbed to give a great view into the depths. Denys and Elsa then had a go, but were too sensible to go ‘all the way’ – and finally I went up, and stayed until my hands got so cold I was afraid I would not be able to climb down. Clare had good control of the safety rope, which was very comforting.
Finally, at around 6pm, we came in through some ‘skerries’ to anchor between the Ardmore Islands, off Islay. We found that the little bay was full of wicked rocks, and was also seal city – there must have been a hundred of them watching us, laughing at us and generally gossiping about us – they came in all colours and sizes, as well as being quite banana shaped in some cases. Some were grey, some spotted, and some very white. There were also the obligatory shags, plus a heron, and then Denys spotted some deer on a rocky islet hardly a kilometer across – we decided they must be swimmers! Then we saw another one – certainly an adult and a smaller one, and we think red deer. The anchor went down, but was not happy – being overcome by the kelpy bottom, so Duncan paid out more – but we had to raise it all up again (second ‘roving’ of the chain in one day – not my favourite job!) – then we laid it again, followed by setting a Fisherman’s with a trip in the tender, just to make sure. Finally all settled, in a quiet place, with whisky mac’s and a good supper – before the yawns set in at the end of the day.

Jenny, Earthwatch volunteer