Another misty morning but only heat haze really which quickly cleared to give glorious sunshine. We finished off jobs… Julian finally with his laptop working again managed to download the Antares charts. These are charts compiled by Bob Bradfield which chart in detail the many tight places and anchorages in Scotland which the other charts and publications leave sketchy. Sometimes an anchorage written up in the pilot just looks like dry land on the chart plotter! A bit alarming! so now equipped with our new charts we can be bolder! A bit!
We set off just as the ferry was coming in of course. A nice southerly wind was blowing 2 knots so we sailed gently north under headsail. We wanted to top up with fuel and get a couple of things from the chandlers, so stopped in Dunstaffnage marina just north of Oban. An old haunt of ours and fondly remembered as we kept Storm Force here for many years. It was much smaller then and the wide mouthed frog ( the pub) was an amazing place to eat and sit. We also had our lovely Alfie then. Twas here he fell in the marina off the boat as he jumped off the boat and missed the pontoon 😱 He was okay! it’s much bigger nowadays and full of massive boats. We both felt quite relieved to be going out into the relative peace of the Firth of Lorne. Gently sailed north again and picked up a mooring outside the Pier house hotel. A really good strop ( favourite type) with good thick rope and covered in plastic tubing to stop chafe. Also a rubber ball type buoy rather than metal can which is less noisy and or damaging if it bangs against the hull. The hotel was full so we ate on board in the dying breeze and lovely evening warmth. Steak salad and sauté potatoes! I then watched Andy Murray match which he won eventually. Tomorrow we’re going to explore Lismore.
What I learned today….I’m beginning to not get so worried about ferries….
Port Appin 
Dunstaffnage getting fuel
Angelique 