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.

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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 :). www.portavadie.com

Forward Centerboard position

At Portavadie in the travel hoist

Heading for Islay having just come around the Mull

Having departed Sanda and heading for the tricky bit of the Mull

Jiří & Danielá

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.