The weather picked up over Friday night, and by Saturday morning, there was a fair old wind blowing, even in our cosy anchorage. We waited out the weather in the morning, and filled the time with some routine boat maintenance (dicky generators, dodgy toilets and duff bilge pumps – all part of the wonderful world of life on the ocean wave). We decided to make a break for it in the afternoon and had the ride of our lives and we battled a gale down to Canna. But Silurian triumphed over the elements, and we arrived safely in the harbour in time for well-earned tea.

It was still blowing (and raining too – hurray!) the next morning. The foolish went ashore for maximum soaking potential (they succeeded - I’ve heard the drowned-rat look is the must-have style for Spring 2008), whilst the wise stayed on the boat and practiced looking at the inside of their eyelids. With things looking considerably calmer, we set off at lunchtime for Rum. It was a good call. The rain abated, the skies cleared, the wind dropped, and we had a magnificent sail into Loch Scresort, with the Isle of Rum looking as striking as she ever has, with her majestic profile against the early evening skies.

The morning was no less lovely, and we set out, via several transects, to Loch Moidart. It was warm, it was sunny, it was calm. Away went the woolly hats and oilskins and out came the shorts, sunglasses and pink noses. Every day at sea is a wonder, but this was a super-wonder, which continued when we arrived at Loch Moidart and had an explore around the lovely Swallows-and Amazon islands and bows-and arrows castle.

Our last day sees us zig-zagging back to Tobemory past the Small Isles, Ardnamurchan and the Cairns of Coll. Another fine day, with a slight haze over the calm waters.

Porpoises a-plenty have been detected on the ever-conscientious hydrophone, and we’ve seen a fair few too. But no sign of anything bigger yet – some minke whales and common dolphins have arrived for the summer, but no sightings from Silurian this week. However, our seabird sightings confirm that spring has sprung, and we’re looking forward to our next survey later this month…

Many thanks to our hardworking and highly entertaining volunteers this week – it’s been a great one!

Susie, Science Officer