Date: Sunday 31st May 2009
Anchorage: Gunna (between Tiree and Coll)
Position: 56°33’.694N, 06°42’.760W
Distance travelled: 32.0NM

Thought of the day: think positive for results!

At the usual time, we awakened to surfing music and more sunshine. Before starting the research effort, we detoured into Tinker’s Hole for a quick look around. Heading on, we then sailed past Iona and did a circumnavigation of Staffa giving us a great view into Fingel’s Cave. West from there we went to Lunga where we joined a number of tourists who had also landed. Across the rocks we scrambled and then climbed the path to the grassy bench and puffin breeding burrows, conveniently dug by the rabbits. Puffins were busy puffin’, smooching and building nests in their homes. The birds are very photogenic but it’s challenging to get the right sides showing on the pictures, including the green on the beak and the orange feet. Lovely wild flowers were abundant including thrift, primulas, orchids, trefoil and others. Continuing our journey, Ray was in the crow’s nest and we headed across Gunna Sound near Tiree where we hit the bonanza – 8 basking sharks with at least one couple on the romantic move and two minkes, mom and babe? Before dinner, an excursion to shore where some disembarked and walked along the fine sand to be picked up at the other end of the beach. The large gray seals were obviously guarding their territory and wary of our intrusion. The day ended with a lovely calm dinner under the lowering sun, while basking sharks were visible in the calm flat sea.