Saturday 12^th August, 2006

Anchorage: Ardminish Bay, Gigha

Position: 55°40.500 N 005°43.700 W

Distance surveyed: 46nm

We started the second day of the trip well by being thrown at 17.5 knots through the Corryvreckan, over tidal upwellings, races, and overfalls, carried by a big yearly tide of 12 knots. We then surveyed the northern reaches of the Sound of Jura in force 4-5 winds and bumpy conditions before mooring in the bay of Ardminish on the Isle of Gigha, where the decent amongst us went ashore to be washed and watered, before returning to Silurian to hear about the relieving of turkeys and the swinging of squirrels.
“The plucky volunteers coped with the conditions valiantly.” (Susie, Science).

Andy, volunteer.

Friday 11^th August, 2006

Anchorage: Lunga, Sound of Luing

Position: 56°12.700 N 005°42.300 W

Distance surveyed: 36nm

Today we left Tobermory, Isle of Mull, Inner Hebrides at about 10:30am. But before we did, we were educated and trained on boat safety, how to spot a cetacean (whales, dolphins, porpoise, etc.) and how to enter scientific data into the computer. We set off going down the Sound of Mull, and then the Firth of Lorn and then ended up near the Isle of Jura. We anchored for the night and evening in a beautiful inlet in Lunga. On our way toward Lunga and the area around it from Tobermory we saw many sightings including 3 sightings of Porpoise, and 3 sightings of Seals, and three Sea Eagles. One porpoise sighting was right in front of the McLean of Duart Castle in South Eastern Isle of Mull. Which in my personal opinion is one of the most beautiful castles in the World! Near this famous castle was Ardtornish Castle which was also stunning. The beauty of the Hebrides is beyond belief. When we anchored in Lunga Isle inlet we were educated on different sea birds and there features and names, we then ate dinner, which included Haggis (Traditional Scottish food) and mashed potato's, and another dish I haven't quite figured out what it was. The Haggis was good, but of course I think the Mashed potato's was the best! So cheers to the cooks including Andrew, Dave (Skipper), etc. Later after dinner we went to the Isle of Lunga and almost all of us climbed its highest hill and got spectacular views and pictures and I fell at least 3 times but it was a rare Island to visit. Not many people get to the visit the Island. Its a Isle with two houses which looked like Holiday cottages. It was a beautiful night and right now it is 22:24pm. The sun has gone down. And we just had tea and hot chocolate. I'm beginning to think that the Britons only care about Tea cause that's all they drink and talk about. That was the day and a tiring one and only the first!

Kyle Porpotage of Manatee County, Florida, USA/Nova Scotia, Canada
Hebridean Heritage, Earthwatch Volunteer

Thursday 10^th August, 2006

Anchorage Tobermory

Position: 56°37.200 N 006°03.700 W

Our Earthwatch volunteers for the next monitoring trip arrived this evening. They are Nigel, Janet, Emma, Andrew and Claire, all from the UK, and Kyle from the USA. We had a lovely evening getting to know each other, and preparing for the voyage ahead. Heading south to Jura and Islay, and very much looking forward to it.

Susie, Science Officer