Date: Thursday 10^th May 2007

Anchorage: Gigha

Position: 55° 40’.520N 005° 43’.830W

Distance Travelled: 49 NM

We left Loch Sween this morning under overcast skies while the wind was picking up, and headed out into a fresh choppy sea. The forecasts had been uninspiring but after the first transects of the Sound of Jura, the weather unexpectedly brightened up and remained sunny for the rest of the day.

The first porpoises we detected on the hydrophone this morning were in the same spot as those we detected at the mouth of Loch Sween last night. Perhaps they’d come back to make sure we left! There were several visual sightings during the day, but there was obviously something more going on under the surface as there were gannets diving for fish all around us and the hydrophone was going crazy…

There were no fresh bouts of seasickness, so the pills (and wristbands!) are obviously helping, so we will see what the next few days bring! All volunteers took full advantage of the hot showers available on Gigha, and now smell much fresher! The bacon butties and the scones/biscuits were much appreciated. Mat is still evolving his scone recipe, and mooring was delayed so that they were undisturbed until they were ready.

The mooring is very picturesque, with a flat calm and a splendid glowing pink sunset. We’re sharing our anchorage with several seals (who pop up to say hello) and a whole array of seabirds, including a herring gull with a taste for macaroni cheese and bright pink exfoliating gloves (don’t ask!).

We’re looking forward to the weather forecast tomorrow so we can plan our next expedition. We’ll be waking up our neighbours with the genny in the morning too!

The Earthwatch volunteers…