Castor Sailing Stuff
| Vessel Name: | Safe Return |
| Vessel Make/Model: | Westerly Vulcan |
| Hailing Port: | Debbage in Ipswich |
| Crew: | Andy Smith (McSmith) & Ian Sheldon (Shelly) |
| About: | Andy & Ian have discussed Sailing round our independent Island since Andy retired from The Fire Service in 2011. Ian turned 65 last September and Bought Safe Return. The trip an begin |
31 July 2017 | Off Wicklow
The trip continues
Andy joined Safe Return on the Caledonian Canal while I was cruising up and down with Jane & Charlie. Eric Joyce a friend from my teen years joined us in Oban, with Andy we set sail for Tobermory to meet Leslie, John, Jack and Anne who were due to visit on a cruise ship, the weather was rough and they [...]
28 August 2016 | Castor
Ed of another Adventure
Yesterday we knew we weren't leaving Tobermory until after lunch because of the tides to Oban. In the morning I spoke to Proff Plankton who I have seen before trawling a sample net off the pontoons. He explained that understanding the plankton enables the company he works with- Sea Life Surveys-to know [...]
27 August 2016 | Tobermory
Anchor problems and trip to Tobermory
Last night on Iona we returned to Safe Return to find my anchoring skills are dire. A large sight seeing vessel we anchored a respectable distance away from was a few meters off our bow after the tide had changed, also,our anchor was under her hull so no way of moving. I started cooking a spagbol then [...]
Corryvreckan and other excitement
We,have not had internet access for a couple of days.
On Wednesday morning we got on the bikes and rode a couple of miles round to Melford Pier and village. The weather perfect and the ride along a tree lined lane beside Loch Melford made this a memorable trip. Melford Village is a holiday time share and rental site developed from a gunpowder factory. It was impressive.
We realised times were wrong to be able to get north from Jura if we stayed there for the night, if we headed for Corryvreckan we should hit it at slack water, and head for Colonsay. It all worked out, the passage through the Corryvreckan was far from smooth or easy even in perfect weather conditions and timed well. We were pushed from side to side with large areas of swirling water around us and in the middle we struggled to make 1 knot with the engine set to near max revs pushing us at 6 knots through the water. The most exciting passage either of us had ever experienced before. You kind of guess things will be fun when you see 3 large ribs packed with tourists in full oilies going in before you.
We tied up against the jetty at Scalasaig on Colonsay. The ferry arrived just after us, and after we had tied up, I went on the jetty but was told by the Calmac shore crew we had to stay on our boat until the ferry had gone because of flying ropes and stuff.
Dinner was had in the hotel which was very nice. We spoke to two youngsters, a man working on the fish farm going to do a night shift and a bar lady in the hotel. They both had tried leaving the island to work or go to college but came back because the prefer island life.
We set off on Thursday morning and sailed up to Iona with spinnaker out for the last couple of hours. The 2nd lovely sunny day, we are getting lucky.
Arrived at the Abbey as they closed the ticket office, so had a free visit.
.jpeg) |