Sunday 21st May, 2006
Anchorage: Loch Nan ceall, Arisaig
56° 54’.400 N 005°51’.400W
Distance covered: 40 miles

We woke up in the majestic shadow Gunna island's imposing hill. Looking out of the cabin window we were greeted with the happy smiling faces in the colony of grey seals we had shared the bay with. We had a quick breakfast and cleaned our galley to captain Duncan’s exacting standards then set sail tacking upwind up the passage of Tiree towards Ardnamurchan Point. We came out to the east of islands Muck and Eigg before cutting across to Arisaig (sounds simple doesn’t it). The weather was changeable, starting out with a light breeze, glorious sunshine and calm sea. We start collecting data, two on the deck, one on the bird research and one for the record. Percy did a good job, he spotted a porpoise as did Raihan (success well-deserved through the tough journey.) A few hours later as we passed Ardnamurchan, the weather took the dramatic turn to the worse. It was just after lunch time when Duncan made a great curry tasting blended parsnip soup. As you imagine, two people was being sick. (I cannot tell exact names but once again, Raihan was strapped at the mast and Percy laid on the deck near the bucket.) I thought what a tough job crews had. They drove the ship in the bad weather while acting as nurse maid to group of incompetent sickly volunteers.
We finally anchored in the bay of Loch Nan ceall, Arisaig. We were totally exhausted at that moment, so we decided to go to the shore to have nice warm proper dinner at local hotel. We came back to our boat at 10pm, then we went straight to bed. Amazing thing was I and Sam heard someone in the galley and making toast. Perhaps, it was Duncan and Rob!!! I just want to ask to them “ Have you had a full stomach before?”

Emi, volunteer, Japan