Summer 2008

We've been a bit quiet on this site this year, but just to prove that Elsa is still out there and we do occasionally get away from our desks to visit her, here are some pictures from our main summer holiday in 2008. Twas the Clyde and inner hebrides again and this time in the company of our friends Danielá & Jiří from the Czech Republic.

The weather was pretty grim for most of the two weeks, so it perhaps wasn't the best introduction to sailing for our friends, but hopefully they havent been too put off

Because we weren't sailing with another boat this time, there are unfortunately very few photos of Elsa herself, which is a great pity, but here's what we have.

click individual images to see a high res version
or click here to see the category all at once

The first photo - Well, we spent the first night at Kip Marina which isn't worth photographing and the second at Tarbert which is so beautiful we forgot to photograph it, so our pictures start here on Day 3 in Portavadie where we took Elsa out of the water for a much overdue scrub down before continuing on our way. Robert Kitchen and everyone at Portavadie Marina were superb with Elsa - Thanks if you ever read this :). <a href='http://www.portavadiemarina.com'>www.portavadie.com</a>
Forward Centerboard position -
At Portavadie in the travel hoist -
Having departed Sanda and heading for the tricky bit of the Mull -
Jiří & Danielá -
Heading for Islay having just come around the Mull -
Islay on the horizon -
A nap in the sun - Opportunities for this kind of behaviour were few and far between.
The pontoon at Port Ellen -
Elsa at anchor in Puilladobhrain -
The bridge over the Atlantic - Just a short walk from the anchorage at Puilladobhrain and next to Tigh na Truish, the House of Trousers. Great homecooked food and local beer at a great price. We can't wait to go back!
View south from the bridge -
Returning to Elsa after a night at the House of Trousers -
Sunrise over Lismore - One of the things I love about sailing is that it gets me out of my pit before sunrise, so my day includes sites like these.
Duart Castle on the sound Mull -
A duplicate of last years photo - Rob reclining with a glass of wine to enjoy a Tobermory sunset
But he wasnt the only one -
And then there was dinner -
Rob hanging out on the bowsprit again -
The west highland week Oban to Tobermory race - We carefully followed the schedule so we knew where not to be, and left Tobermory for Oban as the fleet did the opposite. Was brilliant to see them all sailing past though
More West Highland Week -
A Porpoise -
The porpoise again -
Two porpoises -
A porpoise and the WHW fleet -
Inside Macaigs tower in Oban -
Oban Bay from Macaigs tower -
Oban Marina - on the Isle of Kerrera opposite Oban
Sea food bar - Rob and I love Oban Marina. It's peacefully set away from Oban itself with panoramic views of the town and a regular ferry service to take you over (and back :P) The island has a brilliant seafood bar and small bar. It's just fabulous to sit there with a plate of scallops, a glass of wine and watch the Calmac Ferries coming and going.
Elsa on a visitors mooring in Oban Bay - This is after our diesel bug incident that we'll probs get round to talking about in the forum eventually.