We went to Scotland for an RCC Meet
This was to be our last cruise in our own hull. The very last. Faustina 2 was then to be put up for sale and we would be high and dry. As I write (in March 2016) she has not been sold – but then I haven’t really been trying too hard! But of course we didn’t know that then. So this was to be our swan song.
We had also only just moved into a new home that we had built for ourselves and the old house was on the market. So we didn’t want to be away too long in case a buyer appeared and decisions had to be made. So ‘abroad’ was out of the question. Inevitably it had to be Scotland and for not too long.
We set off from our base at Portaferry on 2nd August, just the two of us, Ann and I, on board our trusty and much beloved Bowman 40. The wind was fair and the weather tolerable. But as we approached the Copelands we heard a dire forecast and decided to head into Bangor marina until we heard something better. We went home again!
We set off again at 0300 (really) on 6th August. The day began wet, grey and with a fresh breeze from the NW. We motor-sailed as far as the Maidens when the wind relented and came in from the West. Later the sun came out and the wind dropped off, but we were making good progress with the tide all the way to Gigha. 63 miles in 9½ hours – an average over the ground speed of 6.5 kts. God bless the tide! We anchored and had a 90-minute lunch break, before realising that the tide had turned again and that we should perhaps get on while the wind was good. We made it to Loch Craignish (27 miles) in 4½ hours. Not a bad day’s run as a starter. We anchored at 1810 for the night in the little bay called Goat Island behind Dun Righ. There followed a well deserved G&T followed by cottage pie.
We had also only just moved into a new home that we had built for ourselves and the old house was on the market. So we didn’t want to be away too long in case a buyer appeared and decisions had to be made. So ‘abroad’ was out of the question. Inevitably it had to be Scotland and for not too long.
We set off from our base at Portaferry on 2nd August, just the two of us, Ann and I, on board our trusty and much beloved Bowman 40. The wind was fair and the weather tolerable. But as we approached the Copelands we heard a dire forecast and decided to head into Bangor marina until we heard something better. We went home again!
We set off again at 0300 (really) on 6th August. The day began wet, grey and with a fresh breeze from the NW. We motor-sailed as far as the Maidens when the wind relented and came in from the West. Later the sun came out and the wind dropped off, but we were making good progress with the tide all the way to Gigha. 63 miles in 9½ hours – an average over the ground speed of 6.5 kts. God bless the tide! We anchored and had a 90-minute lunch break, before realising that the tide had turned again and that we should perhaps get on while the wind was good. We made it to Loch Craignish (27 miles) in 4½ hours. Not a bad day’s run as a starter. We anchored at 1810 for the night in the little bay called Goat Island behind Dun Righ. There followed a well deserved G&T followed by cottage pie.
The plan next day was to join a Royal Cruising Club ‘Meet’ that was to start at Ardfern that day. We had a quiet morning cleaning and fixing and then after lunch we motored gently across to Ardfern marina where a berth had been reserved for us. The rest of the afternoon was spent talking to friends and attending a great drinks’ party on board the boat of some good Scottish friends. A perfect cruising day!
We slipped (with some help) at 0800 on Sat 8th August and motored down Loch Craignish in sunshine against a cold breeze. Through Dorus Mor we bore away under sail to the north. We had agreed with our cocktail friends that we would sail through the Grey Dogs at the southern end of Lunga, but my courage failed me – it looked just too horrible – and we passed on by. Much relief from Ann! We rounded Lunga and anchored in a lovely spot off Eilean Dudh Mor at 1010. An hour later our ‘Grey Dogs’ friends arrived – they of course had gone through it and chided me for being so cautious. They rafted alongside us and we provided lunch on F2 – another good session. Then we were off again, this time to Loch Spelve, 8 miles away, with the wind dead astern. We anchored off the mussel farm in the NW together with 30 or 40 other boats from the Clyde CC and the RCC.
We had come here for the annual mussel fest that the mussel farm owners offer the CCC. Each person pays £5 which goes to the RNLI and in return the owner produces masses of mussels in several guises – in wine, curried, etc. He also provided burgers and sausages – and then bananas with rum and cream. Great food, but the downside was that it was bucketing rain throughout. Fortunately we were under cover for the eats but the journeys to and from the boat were damp – very damp. We provided restorative rum-based drinks on board F2 but it was hard to feel very Caribbean in that weather. We did try.
We slipped (with some help) at 0800 on Sat 8th August and motored down Loch Craignish in sunshine against a cold breeze. Through Dorus Mor we bore away under sail to the north. We had agreed with our cocktail friends that we would sail through the Grey Dogs at the southern end of Lunga, but my courage failed me – it looked just too horrible – and we passed on by. Much relief from Ann! We rounded Lunga and anchored in a lovely spot off Eilean Dudh Mor at 1010. An hour later our ‘Grey Dogs’ friends arrived – they of course had gone through it and chided me for being so cautious. They rafted alongside us and we provided lunch on F2 – another good session. Then we were off again, this time to Loch Spelve, 8 miles away, with the wind dead astern. We anchored off the mussel farm in the NW together with 30 or 40 other boats from the Clyde CC and the RCC.
We had come here for the annual mussel fest that the mussel farm owners offer the CCC. Each person pays £5 which goes to the RNLI and in return the owner produces masses of mussels in several guises – in wine, curried, etc. He also provided burgers and sausages – and then bananas with rum and cream. Great food, but the downside was that it was bucketing rain throughout. Fortunately we were under cover for the eats but the journeys to and from the boat were damp – very damp. We provided restorative rum-based drinks on board F2 but it was hard to feel very Caribbean in that weather. We did try.
Our various tracks during the RCC meet
There was no useful purpose in leaving before the tide turned fair at 1200 next day. The bolt that holds the alternator on had come off and the thread was damaged. It took several attempts using binding wire to get the thing to stay in place until we returned to Ardfern. Our friends invited us to supper on board where they fed a party of 10 RCC members superbly. The craic was seriously mighty. – wonderful stories all round. I took along a bottle of Jameson. I don’t remember taking any home to F2.
Next morning was grey but not actually raining. I bought a new bolt for the alternator from the marina chandlery – probably the best chandlery I have ever been to. I fitted it without difficulty. We then stocked up food at the very good village shop – and by now the rain had really set in. Just miserable. It relented for a while at about 1130 and we took the opportunity to return to the Goat Island anchorage where the rain really set in with a vengeance. Happily the alternator now being fixed, the Eberspacher heater worked and we had a warm quiet night in the company of three other yachts.
We set off next day with no master plan in mind. More drizzle and occasional rain but the sun did appear briefly as we weighed at 0915. We passed through a quiet Dorus Mor and made north to pass to the east of Shuna, past Croagh marina. The tide swept us through Cuan Sound. As we got near to Easdale we decided to head off along the south coast of Mull to Tinkers Hole, about 25 miles away. The weather was improving with the sun trying hard, but we were having to motor into a cold wind. We turned into Tinkers Hole at 1600 and found that we had it all to ourselves. It took a while to get settled to the anchor as the wind and tide were opposed. However once we were able to pull on it without moving we settled in for the evening. The weather deteriorated again - and three more boats arrived.
I lay abed next morning listening to the wind before getting up to look around at 0815. Only one other yacht remained and she was aground by the stern at the north end of the pool. The crew had already rigged a line to the opposite shore to attempt to pull her off but the tide was dropping and she was stuck fast. Clearly one of the other yachts had, on leaving, tripped her anchor. I dressed in my waterproofs and rowed across to help. The yacht’s skipper (a RN submariner doctor) was doing all the right things but it seemed that nothing was going to shift her. Then suddenly she slid off the rock by herself and rocked gently in the water. A quick inspection showed damage to the rudder - but it worked. The engine was started and they attempted to move. Nothing. Clearly the drive to the prop had failed and there was no motive power available. I returned to F2 and very soon had a line rigged and attached to the casualty before towing her out to sea. There they set sail to head for their base on the mainland. We escorted them for a while but they told us that they were ok and with thanks sent us on our way.
Our way was SE (into the wind of course) towards Jura, heading around the north side of Colonsay. We managed to sail nearly all the way, only using the engine for the last few miles to Loch Tarbert Jura. We went through to the Inner Loch and anchored for the night off Cruib Cottage at 1730. The wind died and it was a pleasant enough evening with the quiet hum of the Eberspacher which was keeping us warm below decks. We had a fine Spanish Omelette for supper - but it didn’t feel like Spain.
The morning was quiet but the forecast promised strong South and Southwest winds. We weighed at 0800 and made our way quietly back to sea, really enjoying and appreciating the wild country all around us. About a knot of tide helped us down through the Sound of Jura. It was cold. We went through the inside passage at the north end of the Ardmore islands and anchored there at 1130. The sun came out – and it became warm!! So much so that Ann bared her legs to the sun. Then she saw some antlers appear on the horizon on the island and soon there was a large stag and three or four youngsters in sight. They must have swum over to the island to keep the seals company.
We were concerned about the forecast strong winds and so deemed it prudent to go down to Port Ellen for the night, which we did under motor in a dead calm and sunshine. The new berths there are very well done and at £16 a night, not unreasonably priced. At the Coop I bought some haggis crisps – not something I would recommend to anyone (in the same way as I gave a luke warm reception to a fried Mars Bar in 2014.) We had a good meal and a jolly evening at the Islay Hotel bar.
By 0740 next morning most other yachts had left the marina. The weather was dull and dry with a promise of light West winds increasing slightly. (The strong wind warnings had gone.) I thought about Portrush (30 miles) but decided on Rathlin (20 miles). There wasn’t enough wind for just sailing so we motor/sailed along with low revs, went through some rough overfalls at the West end of Rathlin island and then, in increasing drizzle, sailed along the south coast to the harbour. The drizzle gave way to a fair day during the afternoon. Cold though and a fetch was entering the harbour causing the boats to surge quite savagely against their mooring lines. Happily that all eased during the evening. No hotel to eat at, so we ate aboard after I had been for a nice long walk.
It was now Sat 15th August and it was a fine cold morning with a West wind of F3 or 4. We stowed all the fenders and lines before we left the harbour (which required a few circuits to complete). I put a reef in the Main but otherwise we carried the Yankee and Staysail. Clearing the southern end of Rathlin we made over to Fair Head and the tide really got a hold on us taking us southwards at 10 – 12 knots. Later I shook out the reef and we close-hauled down the Antrim coast in fine style. We had planned to go to Bangor but the weather was so good that we decided to stop over in Larne, something I had never done before.
Having obtained clearance from the harbour authorities we entered the harbour at 1230 and after a few poorly managed attempts we took a mooring off the East Antrim BC. Warm sunshine – what a treat! We had a lazy afternoon which included a snooze.
Next day we weighed at 0600 (wouldn’t it be nice if tides ran at more convenient hours?) and went to Bangor in sunshine and with a light southerly breeze. We took on fuel and then left at 0840 to head back down the Down coast to our berth at Portaferry. The good weather held all the way and by mid-afternoon we had arrived and were in the car heading for our new home.
The residual memories of the cruise are the mixed weather, the really good fellowship at the RCC meet, the drama at Tinker's Hole and, of course, the sadness that this was likely to be our last protracted cruise in our old and faithful boat. With her we have, over the last 20 years, sailed so many miles to so many places and had so much fun and pleasure – with only the occasional fright and drama. We will certainly miss her.
(After note - F2 wasn't sold and, as you will see, she stayed with us and took us to Spain in 2017)
Next morning was grey but not actually raining. I bought a new bolt for the alternator from the marina chandlery – probably the best chandlery I have ever been to. I fitted it without difficulty. We then stocked up food at the very good village shop – and by now the rain had really set in. Just miserable. It relented for a while at about 1130 and we took the opportunity to return to the Goat Island anchorage where the rain really set in with a vengeance. Happily the alternator now being fixed, the Eberspacher heater worked and we had a warm quiet night in the company of three other yachts.
We set off next day with no master plan in mind. More drizzle and occasional rain but the sun did appear briefly as we weighed at 0915. We passed through a quiet Dorus Mor and made north to pass to the east of Shuna, past Croagh marina. The tide swept us through Cuan Sound. As we got near to Easdale we decided to head off along the south coast of Mull to Tinkers Hole, about 25 miles away. The weather was improving with the sun trying hard, but we were having to motor into a cold wind. We turned into Tinkers Hole at 1600 and found that we had it all to ourselves. It took a while to get settled to the anchor as the wind and tide were opposed. However once we were able to pull on it without moving we settled in for the evening. The weather deteriorated again - and three more boats arrived.
I lay abed next morning listening to the wind before getting up to look around at 0815. Only one other yacht remained and she was aground by the stern at the north end of the pool. The crew had already rigged a line to the opposite shore to attempt to pull her off but the tide was dropping and she was stuck fast. Clearly one of the other yachts had, on leaving, tripped her anchor. I dressed in my waterproofs and rowed across to help. The yacht’s skipper (a RN submariner doctor) was doing all the right things but it seemed that nothing was going to shift her. Then suddenly she slid off the rock by herself and rocked gently in the water. A quick inspection showed damage to the rudder - but it worked. The engine was started and they attempted to move. Nothing. Clearly the drive to the prop had failed and there was no motive power available. I returned to F2 and very soon had a line rigged and attached to the casualty before towing her out to sea. There they set sail to head for their base on the mainland. We escorted them for a while but they told us that they were ok and with thanks sent us on our way.
Our way was SE (into the wind of course) towards Jura, heading around the north side of Colonsay. We managed to sail nearly all the way, only using the engine for the last few miles to Loch Tarbert Jura. We went through to the Inner Loch and anchored for the night off Cruib Cottage at 1730. The wind died and it was a pleasant enough evening with the quiet hum of the Eberspacher which was keeping us warm below decks. We had a fine Spanish Omelette for supper - but it didn’t feel like Spain.
The morning was quiet but the forecast promised strong South and Southwest winds. We weighed at 0800 and made our way quietly back to sea, really enjoying and appreciating the wild country all around us. About a knot of tide helped us down through the Sound of Jura. It was cold. We went through the inside passage at the north end of the Ardmore islands and anchored there at 1130. The sun came out – and it became warm!! So much so that Ann bared her legs to the sun. Then she saw some antlers appear on the horizon on the island and soon there was a large stag and three or four youngsters in sight. They must have swum over to the island to keep the seals company.
We were concerned about the forecast strong winds and so deemed it prudent to go down to Port Ellen for the night, which we did under motor in a dead calm and sunshine. The new berths there are very well done and at £16 a night, not unreasonably priced. At the Coop I bought some haggis crisps – not something I would recommend to anyone (in the same way as I gave a luke warm reception to a fried Mars Bar in 2014.) We had a good meal and a jolly evening at the Islay Hotel bar.
By 0740 next morning most other yachts had left the marina. The weather was dull and dry with a promise of light West winds increasing slightly. (The strong wind warnings had gone.) I thought about Portrush (30 miles) but decided on Rathlin (20 miles). There wasn’t enough wind for just sailing so we motor/sailed along with low revs, went through some rough overfalls at the West end of Rathlin island and then, in increasing drizzle, sailed along the south coast to the harbour. The drizzle gave way to a fair day during the afternoon. Cold though and a fetch was entering the harbour causing the boats to surge quite savagely against their mooring lines. Happily that all eased during the evening. No hotel to eat at, so we ate aboard after I had been for a nice long walk.
It was now Sat 15th August and it was a fine cold morning with a West wind of F3 or 4. We stowed all the fenders and lines before we left the harbour (which required a few circuits to complete). I put a reef in the Main but otherwise we carried the Yankee and Staysail. Clearing the southern end of Rathlin we made over to Fair Head and the tide really got a hold on us taking us southwards at 10 – 12 knots. Later I shook out the reef and we close-hauled down the Antrim coast in fine style. We had planned to go to Bangor but the weather was so good that we decided to stop over in Larne, something I had never done before.
Having obtained clearance from the harbour authorities we entered the harbour at 1230 and after a few poorly managed attempts we took a mooring off the East Antrim BC. Warm sunshine – what a treat! We had a lazy afternoon which included a snooze.
Next day we weighed at 0600 (wouldn’t it be nice if tides ran at more convenient hours?) and went to Bangor in sunshine and with a light southerly breeze. We took on fuel and then left at 0840 to head back down the Down coast to our berth at Portaferry. The good weather held all the way and by mid-afternoon we had arrived and were in the car heading for our new home.
The residual memories of the cruise are the mixed weather, the really good fellowship at the RCC meet, the drama at Tinker's Hole and, of course, the sadness that this was likely to be our last protracted cruise in our old and faithful boat. With her we have, over the last 20 years, sailed so many miles to so many places and had so much fun and pleasure – with only the occasional fright and drama. We will certainly miss her.
(After note - F2 wasn't sold and, as you will see, she stayed with us and took us to Spain in 2017)
