News
Year end, 2006
I spent much of November in very pleasant conditions on the Red Sea, much better than the heat and humidity of September. Returning to Scotland was a bit of a shock - and I don't think it has stopped raining since! Theory courses are being prepared, to be run in the new year. If you are interested in in a 1-day radio course, or perhaps formalising your knowledge in the Day Skipper or Yachtmaster course, then this could be the place for you! Check back soon for course dates.
October
Spring tides, low pressure and north-west winds caused exceptionally high tides in the Oban area early in October, and the ever-rising waters were watched with interest, during the VHF course run on Saturday. Small class sizes combined with the most up-to-date radio training equipment ensures everyone has as much practice as they need to confidently use VHF and GMDSS in the future. Well done to Saturday's students who all passed with flying colours!
September
September started with a noticeable change in the air - lying in the snugness of my sleeping bag of a morning I just knew the cabin air was cold - autumn had arrived. The good days can be even more beautiful than in the height of summer, and the weakening sunlight brings out new colours on the land.
Low pressure systems start scudding across the skies again, with no Biscay high to push them further north.
Just as the leaves and ferns started to turn I headed for the Red Sea. Temperatures of 45o and intense humidity were perhaps an extreme way to avoid catching the tail-end of Hurricane Gordon!
But now I'm back in cooler waters, enjoying sunny, dry calm days. The most obvious sign that summer is over is the noticeable drop in numbers of other yachts about. Bliss!
August
I can't believe it is August already, where has the time gone?! After a mixed May, June got off to a good start with lots of sun returning. There wasn't much wind, but this allowed us to explore more secluded anchorages than normal. We also saw more wildlife than usual, and had the pleasure of dolphins playing around the boat. it was a privilege to see them so close, and have them want to share space with us.
The weather worsened near the end of June, and the idea of doing a nightsail on midsummer's night was washed and blown away. July saw prolonged fine weather, with only light winds to coast along to.
A VHF/DSC course was run on the last Saturday of the month, the day the weather finally broke. I am sure the students were glad to be sat in the classroom that day, rather than battling with the wind and rain.
A few days ago I was stood by the side of a loch in the pouring rain, watching two sea otters getting on with life. They were oblivious to the traffic thundering by, and despite the occasional glance up at us were quite content that we were no threat. It seemed as if it was a mother and one of her young, possibly out having a lesson in life. What an honour to be able to see them at such close range - they calmy swam past us no more than 5 metres away. The sight of them clambering out onto the rocks and being silhouetted against the loch is yet another postcard picture in my mind.
May
They say May and September are the best months in Scotland, and the first two weeks certainly substantiate that. Warm weather and clear skies have dominated, with the odd thunderstorm thrown in for good measure. Spring has definitely arrived, with swallows in the air and buds on the trees.
The training front has been just as sunny, with the past three weekends spent on the Clyde training some of the committee members for Able2Sail, a new charity which aims to take disabled people and carers sailing. Visit their website and support them any way you can!
If you have a specific query, or would like to find out more, call or email us at enquiries@bluefinsailing.co.uk