Date: Wednesday 13th June, 2007
Anchorage: Loch Moidart
Position: 56° 47’.240N 005° 50’.260W
Distance Travelled: 50 NM

The day started with cloudy skies. Some of more sophisticated members of the team took a small trip to the castle on Rum, whilst the youngsters stayed in bed to get some much needed beauty sleep (not Gwilym – he’s handsome enough already. Apparently.). Shame on them!

While the island is famous for its wildlife, including golden and sea eagles, the first mate was more interested in the various Land Rovers that he spotted (he intends to buy one, you see – indeed, late nights are spent reading from his much-thumbed “Land Rover Monthly”). After breakfast, we set off to sea in the search for some new cetacean species (mainly humpbacks and killer whales, but no such luck –
though we spotted some porpoises, common dolphins and a phantom minke). We circumnavigated Eigg, and made our way towards Loch Moidart, our first mainland anchorage of the trip. James spent much of the afternoon at the helm, and also up the crow’s nest (but not at the same time). From the top of the mast, he was well-placed to spot the many and various treacherous rocks littering the entrance to Loch Moidart, which our noble skipper negotiated boldly, with skill and a blindfold.

At least half the team have nominated this anchorage their favourite of the trip, with its idyllic mixture of lush trees (Douglas has been missing them), rhododendrons, little islands and a wonderful feeling of calm. A trip ashore brought the delights of the 13th century Castle Tioram, and lovely beaches. Gwil was delighted to find a pair of trainers under a bush (doubtless to the detriment of some poor person with size 9½ feet who is currently running around the west coast with very cold toes). Sadly in all his excitement at his new footwear he chucked his old wellies into the tender before getting back into it, and had to be rescued by a piggy back from the Science Officer (roughly half his size).

Returned to the boat to a nougat-themed evening and more rubbish jokes.

The Team