Getting back into the swing of things

I woke up at 6 a.m, and since Julian was also awake we put the kettle on the stove to heat for tea. By 07:20 we had the engine on and warming up ready to leave the marina.

As soon as we were clear of the entrance channel we went head to wind and raised the main sail, leaving in a couple of rolls of reef even though we still had the no 1 jib up. The sail balance worked as we beat down the Clyde in rather rolly seas, but the wind was light enough that Julian shook all the reef out within 20 minutes. %0 minutes later the reef went back in as the wind strength increased and we furled the job away.

The sea state increased as we approached Toward Point, and we had to keep an eye on the regular ferries on the Wemys Bay to Rothsay route. We needed the engine on to help us cope with steering in the gusts as we rounded Toward Point.

Once we were clear of Toward and approaching the entrance to Loch Striven we could sail again. The view up the Loch was marred by one of the ugliest fish farms I have seen, but looking back once we were past it the whole mess vanished into the background of the Cowal peninsula.

Half an hour later we were back under engine in the East Kyle, motoring straight into the wind while a fleet of yachts ran towards us. These were mostly under genoa alone and we suspected we had encountered a race as few of them flew ensigns. A careful watch ahead kept us clear of the approaching yachts, and we were lucky with our timing at Colintrave as the ferry docked before we got close, and only started to move again once we were past.

There were still yachts heading towards us, but they were coming through the South channel past the Burnt Isles where the tide was weaker. With the tide under us we headed for the narrower North channel. As we approached this a motor yacht headed into it, but with its greater speed it was past us before we entered the narrowest part, with only its wash to cause potential problems.

I had hoped to sail as soon as we turned south into the West Kyle, but the head wind came round with us, and it was not until we were passing the moorings at Tighnabruich that the wind became usable. I had gone below for a rest when I heard Julian taking the reef out and unfurling the jib. Then the engine went off and we sailed down the west Kyle all the way to Ardlamont Point. The sea was flat and Robinetta romped along at between 5.5 knots and hull speed. Julian on the helm had a lovely time, and I relaxed.

Leaving the West Kyle to enter Loch Fyne was not so relaxing. Three tidal streams were fighting for dominance, and beyond the protection from Ardlamont Point the force 5 wind was kicking up a wicked sea with a long fetch. It was jib away, engine on, and reef the main again. 

We had a destination to reach, but a yacht that had sailed down the West Kyle behind us turned back into its shelter rather than fighting to pass the Aldlamont Cardinal. 

Conditions moderated once the tidal streams smoothed out and we were able to turn the engine off and reach up Loch Fyne without problems, although we kept the reef in. By 17:45 we were moored up on the visitor pontoon in East Loch Tarbert after a very varied day's sailing, and after tidying Robinetta up and getting the sail covers on we went looking for dinner. 

A local suggested the Star Fish restaurant, and they were able to offer us a table, although by the time we finished eating every table was full. The food was very good, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. A glass of wine would have been lovely but had to refrain as I was still on antibiotics that said "no alcohol".