A Gathering of Gaffers in Oban

Julian and I were going to Oban as the organisers of a gathering of OGA boats to celebrate 60 years of the OGA. The event itself started on Friday evening, but we needed to be there early to finalise some of the arrangements. However we were only 7nm away from our destination, so we had a relatively lazy start to the day, only beginning to raise the anchor at 10:10.

There was enough wind to sail, so we raised the main and unfurled the jib as soon as we were clear of any obstructions, and by 10:35 we were sailing towards the Sound of Kerrera at 4 knots. We had a lovely sail up the Sound, although the wind went lighter as the morning went on and our speed dropped to about 2 knots through the water. 

By 12:30 we were getting the sails down, ready to head into Kerrera Marina. It took a while to maneuver into a berth rafted up on Recipe (another circumnavigating yacht) and stern to a pontoon so we could step ashore.

Worm had to be tied beneath our bowsprit to keep her out of the way, which was a complicated process, and then we were free to have much needed showers before heading to the bar to join the gaffers who had already arrived. More people arrived throughout the afternoon, and the gathering got off to a great start in brilliant sunshine.