Barb & Dave braying the rain

Position at Anchor 56˚39.36N 5˚53.8W
Distance traveled 40nm
Weather Wet

This is Clyde Coast Guard, Clyde Coast Guard, Clyde Coast Guard with the weather forecast for 17 September…light intermittent rain showers…NOT! We’re talking rain, downpours, more rain and wind. But the wind was behind us least and helped us on our way. Too bad we couldn’t leave the rain behind us as well. Anyway, while still anchored, most of us were awakened by the howling wind, rain and the rocking back and forth of the boat throughout the wee hours of the morning. I managed a very good night though and for a change was the first one up when I heard the morning alarm clock of the generator. It was one of those breakfasts with toast that everyone likes so much. I had my usual cereal but with honey this morning. Deeelicious. Denys had an early bout with seasickness from the rocking of the boat, but after a seasickness pill and 20 minutes, she managed breakfast as well. In the morning briefing Duncan advised us we would be heading for Loch Sunart to anchor for the night in light of the deteriorating weather conditions, making our way ever so closer to Tobermory. It would be another ‘good’ sail…and I know what that means now…leeeean to the left and then leeeean to the right. So we battened down the hatches good and tight and made the boat ready to get underway. For me, that meant crawling up into my Hobbit’s Roost (the chain locker), perched and ready to coil up the chain when it was hauled in by the crew topside. Okay, both anchors are in and we get underway. It was already pouring down rain so I decided I would at least start off by staying inside where it was at least drier, accent on the ‘er’ part. Kym and Elsa joined me but soon they were sacked out on the bench as they were some of those that didn’t get much sleep last night. As Clare continued to come in and go out whilst she was making all of her acoustical log entries of ‘sounds from the sea’, she managed to bring in part of the sea with her. I got the mop and swabbed down the deck but it didn’t seem to do much good. Kym and Elsa were at the ready when the first call for tea and biscuits came in. We knew there would be an early call for tea today. Then there was a shout from the back of the boat…’basking shark’…and everyone was hustling around. Most of us down below missed it so Duncan brought the boat back round again to give us another look see. I quickly donned my oil skin jacket and life jacket but decided to still stay below and look out a side window. Scanning, scanning, scanning the choppy water…and there at two o’clock, I pointed. All is could see was one dorsal fin, but it was exciting enough for me. Kym had managed to lock down the kettle good enough to come up for a look. So, check in the block now for basking shark. Then back on course. After the tea was served and I had washed up from the morning break, I decided to head on out and live the adventure. So I put on my beautiful oil skin pants with the wonderful ‘braces’ and my LL Bean wellies, added a touch of sunshine with my rainbow ball cap and movie star pink sunglasses, and headed out and joined Jenny and Denys to see the view from behind the helm. Jenny moved over and gave me a choice spot…one that allowed me to hold on good and tight when needed. Dave was doing a great job behind the wheel, however, he wasn’t able to do much about changing the scenery. It was either raining or pouring, however, it did manage to stop raining just long enough for us to down one of Duncan’s delicious melted cheese sandwiches, which was very appreciated. I had been wondering what a soggy melted cheese sandwich would taste like. The seas flattened out after a while and the wind stayed behind us helping us to make good time to our anchorage spot at Loch Sunart. We spotted several porpoise and a couple of curious seals. Duncan picked a great place to shelter for the night and after much discussion, it was determined that we only needed to drop one anchor…the fisherman’s anchor. We’re watching it closely to see if we need to drop the other one. I’m hoping that the one will do because that means I won’t have to get into the Hobbit’s Roost in the morning. Our work day ended early due to the weather, so we did a good dry up of the ship. Then Clare gave us a briefing on acoustics and we listened to recordings of dolphins and whales, ranging from cheery to eerie. It was like listening to Dorey doing her whale talk in the movie Finding Nemo. We are now waiting anxiously for our lasagna to cook. We are lucky to have a resident Italian, Elsa, with us to give us advice on the absolute Italian way to fix our pasta dishes. She has taken on quite nicely the American Navy’s battle cry of ‘Go Navy, Beat Army’. I am very pleased. Well, we haven’t been disappointed with dinner yet and if smell is an indication, then tonight will be another winner. Last night I was telling the story of how for the longest time, I thought the US national anthem ended with ‘land of the free and the home of the bray’ although I didn’t think that made any sense. Then today Duncan’s phone was ringing and ringing and I was told it was playing ‘Scotland the Bray’. I asked what was a ‘bray’ and they said it was ‘brave’. So there you have it. So, until next time, I wish you fair winds and following seas.

Barb the bray.