Draig-Y-Moor - 2001 Highlights
Monday 14th May - Isle of Seil to Isle of Mull
From Puilladobrain, a sheltered anchorage on the N.E. side of the Isle of Seil to Tobermory, Isle of Mull, in a light S.E. breeze with the spinnaker set and the autohelm steering. At Tobermory there is a good anchorage, but the visitors buoys (at£ 10 per night) are nearer the town and we took one next to a sloop called "Panther".
The wind died away as darkness fell and the harbour lights twinkled across the water. Then our neighbours returned from the shore with their bagpipes and played a superb duet on "Panther's" foredeck for about ten minutes, which won an enthusiastic round of applause from the assembled yachts.
Friday 18th May - Mull to Traigh Gheal
Sailing towards Iona along the South coast of Mull against a South Westerly force 2 - 3, took longer than I thought. So I was minded to try the Ardlanish anchorage, but did not recognise the entrance as I sailed by. The tide was turning against me and I did not relish tacking through the Torran rocks, some of which are submerged.
Then I saw a red M.F.V., anchored close inshore in a sheltered cove. The M.F.V turned out to be “Barcadale” whose owners Norman and Gillian kindly treated me to coffee on board and a discussion on local pilotage. We were anchored off Traigh Gheal, the white beach surrounded by outcrops of pink granite which glowed in the setting sun.
There was a murmur of subsiding swells against the urrounding rocks, and little terns were diving for fish. The land was covered by areas of grassy turf, heather or deciduous scrub, where a pair of cuckoos were in melodious competition for territory.
Saturday 19th May - on to Loch Tarbet
I had intended to visit Iona, but a SW3 with frequent showers put me off. The best place to be in such conditions is sitting on my portable plywood seat in the companionway, under the sprayhood, with the yacht on a close reach and the Hydra Wind Vane steering. Such a course could take us (Draig-y-Mor and myself) to the sheltered anchorage of Loch Tarbet, Jura, so that is where we went.
As we neared the head of the Loch, breaking seas showed rocks ahead, so I anchored to consult the pilot book. Having worked out the series of leading marks, we proceeded under motor through the narrow channel and anchored in a sheltered bay at the Southern end of the inner loch in 6 metres of water, at about 5.15pm.
The loch is surrounded by bare and fairly barren hills, with no habitation of any sort. To the South the Paps of Jura tower above the anchorage, the foothills being grazed by a herd of wild Red Deer.
Cumhann Beag to Jura
The following morning in the dinghy I followed the leading marks through an even more tortuous passage to Cumhann Beag, the innermost loch. Above the tide level, rocks are covered with wild thrift and small blue flowers, which occur all around this coast. Oystercatchers, Terns and Eider drakes (the ducks were mostly on their nests) were about the shoreline and a seal was fishing in the shallow water.
Later in the day I sailed through the Sound of Islay to Craighouse, Jura, and saw a Golden Eagle being mobbed by a couple of seagulls near McArthurs Head.
Sunday 3rd June
By making use of the counter current close inshore at Craignish
point, the
remains of a good westerly breeze, and (at the most critical
stage) the engine going at
near full throttle, we were able to pass from West to East through
the Dorus Mor
against the flood stream, turning Northwards up the East side
of Craignish point as
soon as possible, to avoid the West going stream. At the most
critical stage the speed
through the water was 6.5 knots while the G.P.S. gave a speed
over the ground of
zero!
Saturday 23rd June - Isle of Man
The day before a light SE breeze had died away to give a glorious evening and, expecting it to veer to the South, we anchored at the Southern end of Laxey Bay, Isle of Man. The sea was so calm that one could see ripples when the numerous Jelly fish broke the surface of the water. At 03.30 there was still no wind at all, but a swell came into the bay. Thinking it must be from a passing ship, I expected it to die away, but it continued and got bigger! Then the swells began to get white tops, and still there was no wind!
So I woke up the Yanmar diesel engine and heaved up the anchor, leaving it wedged in the stem-head roller. There was no time to stow it properly, for the swells were breaking heavily on the beach not far away!
To avoid "hobby-horsing" I steered at 45º to the swells and gradually the wind picked up from South to East. Increasing eventually to force 5 or 6. Once we had some wind I was able to unroll some headsail, set the wind vane steering gear, and stow the anchor property.
Safely to Whitehaven
We were then quite comfortable, using the engine only to be sure of clearing the S.E. end of the King William banks. We were off Whitehaven by 11.30 and at Maryport by 13.50, tired but rather pleased with ourselves, very pleased with the sea keeping and comfort of Draig-y-Mor, and thankful for a reliable diesel engine. Without the latter we would have to be much more cautious in our choice of anchorages.
John Curtis, Draig-y-Mor