Friday 20th June, 2008
Anchorage: Cragaig, Isle of Ulva
Position: 56°28.100 N 006°13.900 W
Distance surveyed: 53nm

We awoke to postcard quality views in every direction. The sun was out, the water glassine, and the wind still. We weighed anchor early and set out on our 53 mile journey. By 10:00 am we found our first squall, and the ever optimistic Americans aboard went fleeing for their extra fleece. Unfortunately, the seas turned rougher still and we had to suspend visual efforts for most of the afternoon. Yet hydrophone efforts remained active and we had a good day with many acoustic detections confirmed.

Spirits were kept high by the promise of Gordon and Jackie’s fish pie and our Solstice party, where our First Mate Steve brought a tear to every eye with a solo rendition of an Irish love song.

We anchored in yet another spectacular anchorage and our after dinner shore walk provided a nice stretch of the legs, in the long summer evening.

Kudos to the crew who made the most of a difficult weather day and the volunteers who each kept spirits high.

Anglo-American cultural confusion of the day: Americans were given a briefing on the proper making of a ‘cuppa tea’. Net net [hey, that’s a cultural confusion too, guys – we don’t do ‘net net’ – apparently it means the bottom line…]: please don’t confuse the kettle from the tea pot and use BOILING water.