Where are the Outer Hebrides? over there
We sailed for the Isle of Canna, one of The Small Isles to the west of Mull, after a pit stop in Tobermory. A fabulous mooring to mooring sail, off the wind under mizzen and genoa brought us to Canna Harbour where seals basked in the evening sun. Passing the impressive cliffs on the west of Rhum we saw rafts of Puffins riding the waves, all waiting for a suitable time to come ashore and nest.
Plan A; To stay two nights and head out to the Outer Hebrides in fine spring weather.
Plan B: There was no plan B
In reality, after five days of sun, wind, rain, and hail, everyday! We had to formulate a plan B. Postponing the Outer Hebrides we have come into Arisaig for weather info and shelter.
Leaving Taransay on one of the new mooring buoys in sheltered Canna Harbour, we walked for miles saw eagles soaring over the cliffs, harbour seals playing in the anchorage, friendly lambs and hundreds of rabbits. Canna is owned by the National Trust for Scotland, we talked with some of the eleven residents who were very welcoming, the pier was a social place when the ferry was in.
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Hillside Cottage
A week away at New Year led us to this lovely area in Somerset with outstanding walking. Now we are the proud owners of a holiday cottage in The Quantock Hills.
The last couple of months have been hectic getting everything up and running and this explains why we have not caught up with everyone at home as we had wanted and hope you can understand why.
Our agent, www.sykescottages.co.uk Property Ref 21976or see under Links on the right
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Not all anchorages are online
Phone signal reception is patchy, yesterday we took a motor in to the sound for phone reception and today climbed a mountain.
Last year it was not such an issue for us however this year we have a new project that requires our attention and address some of the issues associated with not having a home base.
If you are interested there are more photos on the facebook page, see under Links on the right.
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Taransay Mhor anchored in Sailean Mor
A short hop round to this sheltered anchorage enabled us to accept an invitation for coffee on Curlew. Several hours later equipped with lots of info on the Outer Hebrides and a detailed chart of the Sound of Harris we made it back to Taransay. The anchorage was so good we stayed two nights. Now there is a large depression moving over Ireland which is making us little depressed as it may throw more weather our way.
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Early morning on the new pontoon in Loch Aline
Two nights anchored in Loch Aline, one of them rather wet & windy, made the lure of the new pontoons too much, shame the new shower block still has the builders in. The rain did not stop all day and there's a rumour you may have a drought down south! We met another couple enjoying the wildlife on a wet walk around the loch, from yacht Curlew anchored nearby.
Later a fast, blustery sail then took us to Loch Drumbuie near the top of Mull.
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Taransay alone on the pontoon in Tobermory
The cruising guide advises arriving early in Tobermory to ensure a space on the busy pontoons. I think we may be a month too early.
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28/04/2013, Tobermory, Isle of Mull
Tobermory. Sure some of these have changed colour this year!
The strong winds kept us in Oban for the next three days but a good day on Saturday gave us a pleasant trip to Tobermory in time for the Mull Music Festival. The music at the MishNish had been recommended to us by a friend, thanks for the tip Stuart.
We were also meeting our friends, Monica and Brian who had come over from Aberdeen for a short break and have spent a very enjoyable day driving around. The sheep still rule the road on Mull.
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23/04/2013, Oban
Sandi wonders how she will 'step' across the 6ft gap 10ft up in the air
The day we chose to launch was the last for nearly a week that the tide would be high enough for us to get afloat. The yard were great and worked late to get us in. Thank you Oban Marina for all your help this year.
Living aboard is so much easier when you are not tramping slate gravel over the decks and climbing up and down a ladder to get to the loo.
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21/04/2013, Oban
A Happy Reunion, on the hard in Oban Marina
When we left Penguin vacuum packed in a plastic bag he was in charge of Taransay Mhor for the winter, and he seems to have done a good job. Perhaps it is time to promote him to Bosun.
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20/04/2013, Oban
There's a hole in your boat
The sleeper train from London and a ferry over the water to Kerrera returned us to Taransay recently. In the brief spells of sunshine between the showers it was easy to get her ready to launch. One major project went off well, drilling out our defunct speed log and repositioning the depth sounder.
Putting holes in the bottom of our boat does feel wrong, however the new transducers are now fitted and we are still floating.
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