Anchorage: Tobermory
Position: 56°37.200 N 006°03.700 W
Distance surveyed: 31nmi

That it, all the fantastic, highly motivate first volunteers of the year have left the boat. This last day was much better than expected, just one shower during the morning and after sunny with a sea relatively calm (max sea state 3.5) and we saw (finally!) at the last moment one porpoise for the pleasure of all.
The last hour on the boat was just to enjoy the splendid scenery of the Sound of Mull under the sun, take the last picture of the week. Back to the harbour, typical English lunch with baked beans (mmmmm lovely!!!!) and pasta for me poor French people…., boat cleaning, last party of jungle speed and it was already the time for the bus.
A huge thanks from the crew to this exceptional team, you have been very very good!!!!
Marjolaine, Dave and Rob

Anchorage: Tobermory
Position: 56°37.200 N 006°03.700 W
Distance surveyed: 45nmi
The penultimate day promised great things with good weather forecast for the first half of the day. We only missed two porpoises in the first two hours according to the hydrophone, (a new Personal Best for the team!). Unfortunately this seems to have been the trend for the week, with all cetaceans giving the Silurian a wide berth!! The calm weather allowed a flying visit to Staffa, a continuation of the Giants Causeway, where media coverage of the crew was extensive, courtesy of the Italian tourists also visiting the island. The scenery was spectacular and Fingal’s Cave lived up to its reputation. The wind picked up in the afternoon and allowed us to get the sails up, but still no sightings. With the increasing wind came some large swell, creating challenging conditions for those on watch at the mast (some screaming was involved – Sam!). Due to gale warnings forecast for tomorrow, we headed into Tobermory a day early, looking to work in Loch Sunnart tomorrow. The last supper was a traditional Scottish Meal consisting of Haggis, neaps and tatties prepared by skipper Dave. The haggis had a certain ‘je ne sais quoi’ about it, with everyone left wanting more! It’s been a fantastic week and our thanks go to Dave, Rob, Marjolaine and Clare for making this wonderful experience possible and keeping our spirits high throughout the trip. We are now all capable of identifying porpoise-like waves and surviving the Scottish elements (hail, rain, wind, snow)!
The Volunteers: Rob, Clare, Esther, Sam, Kim and Andy.

Anchorage: Tinker’s Hole
Position: 56°17.500 N 006°23.100 W
Distance surveyed: 49nmi

After a restless night being rolled around by the waves in Ardminish bay, we got togged up to the max once more. We set off on our longest trip to date, enduring snow and rain. The endless rounds of hot squash kept us going, and the day ended in beautiful sunshine. Through the Sound of Islay and up to the Isle of Mull we journeyed. Still no cetaceans to be seen, but regular sightings of Caledonian MacBrayne ferries (insert cheesy Scottish accent here) and dancing to YMCA kept Clare and Sam amused and their feet from freezing whilst on watch. We were disappointed to be passing Loch Tarbert, as Dave proclaimed it to be “the most beautiful place in the world.” However, the alternative, we all agree is stunning. He took us for a walk up yonder hill, to show us the phenomenal view. Meanwhile, Rob was looking after the meat and potato pie masterpiece that was created by Sam and Clare, and whipped up a carrot cake into the bargain. Thankfully our anchorage this evening is more calm than last night, and by relaxing (or not) to Marjolaine’s card game Jungle Speed should hopefully ensure a better night’s kip.


Esther, Clare and Sam