Saturday 24 July. Ardencaple bay to Craobhaven 15 nm

What an amazingly perfect peaceful morning greeted us today. The skerries ( rocks) on either side were again absent due to high tide and the seal family who had been observing us previous night by swimming gently round and round the boat were back in action. They looked like little black Labradors.. quietly observing us from a distance but getting braver and closer with each circuit. We left around 9 ish after cereal and toast to arrive at the cuan sound for the correct tide. A short and pretty sound with a right angled bend half way down marked by a perch ( post) on s rock which approaches at an alarming rate when you’re headed towards it! Before then we passed by the dramatic and interesting village of Easedale. Previously a slate quarry open mine with an astonishing history. Worth a google!! As the weather is calm everything seems much “easier “ and places that can look hostile in bad conditions look positively welcoming and friendly….. possibly a very obvious observation! We mosied on up toward The bridge over the Atlantic. The bridge actually separates the mainland from the islands of Seil etc to the west which are I guess in the Atlantic! Technically. Balvicar boatyard was on the left where we once had a memorable visit! It looked like the red drum mooring was still there! Not much wind but we did a bit of sailing up Loch melfort … just observing as it’s been a few years since we were in these particular waters. We anchored for lunch in North Arknish bay thanks again to Bobs charts. Quite disconcerting as from the navionics plotter looks like we’re on land ! Bob and the depth gauge say different! After a very lazy lunch we sailed on to Craobhaven marina where we’d reserved a berth earlier. Such a lovely marina and kind welcome. The weather was hot hot hot and Sue and I went for a circumnavigation of the marina rowing in the dinghy which was cooling and fun! Supper was spaghetti Bolognese but it was still warm enough to eat up on deck. Amazing! Followed finally by a game of Perudo before bed and a few internal worries about tomorrow 😳 …..