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Diary - January 2006 |
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Wenesday 4th January |
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Another Crew day out and therefore another early start. Me and Al left his
house a little before 0400 and followed our usual route up to Oban via the
Erskine Bridge and Inverary. Today we had arranged to meet Graham - our
resident expert in the photography and video fields. The idea was for a day
out to Mull, cramming as much into the day as possible. We arranged to meet
on the esplanade by the war memorial at around 0700 and then go in the one
car to the Mull ferry.
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Lord of the Isles and Isle of Mull alongside
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While we waited for Graham to arrive Al took the opportunity to try out
his new tripod for some night photography - the results were amazing (the
photo on the left shows how clear the night shots are!)
Graham joined us at 0720 and we packed up all the camera equipment into
the back of his car before going off round to the ferry terminal for check
in.
Isle of Mull was already at the linkspan and there were about half a
dozen or so cars already in the queue. The ground was icy and both me and
Al nearly ended up on the floor because of the ice! (No laughing Steve!!) |
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We boarded the Isle of Mull and went out onto the deck for photos of Lord
of the Isles as we departed. It was too dark for my camera to work but it
didn't stop Graham and Al from having a go anyway. I was all for going
inside for breakfast (having been up since 0330 and driving for three
hours already this morning...but alas no, we remained out on deck in the
sub-zero temperatures.
The stern ramp was secured and the skipper started the obligatory
announcement as we moved off the berth. We got talking to a member of the
crew who very kindly agreed to give us a tour of the ship, including a
quick trip up onto the bridge once we were clear of Oban Bay. The crew was
really friendly during our couple of minutes on the bridge, although the
directions we were given to get back to the passenger areas were a little
misleading and Al got hopelessly lost, eventually finding his way back
into the forward cafeteria - at last time for breakfast! |
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Following the most needed breakfast I have ever eaten (honestly I swear
whilst up on the bridge they could all hear my stomach rumbling!)
we were called back down onto the car deck ready to leave the ship. The
alarms went off as the visor and ramps were opened and we emerged into the
bright sunshine on Mull (yes I know the words sunshine and Mull don't
generally go together!)
First calling point for today was Fishnish where the recently
overhauled Loch Fyne would be coming over shortly. Graham had apparently
never been to the particular viewpoint we chose this morning so it seemed
like a good start to the day all round. |
Loch Fyne in the Sound of Mull
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Loch Fyne arriving on Mull
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The Lochaline ferry was running a little late as usual and the Bowmans bus
did its usual trick. It came down to the slipway, performed a three point
turn and disappear again well before the ferry was able to get in and
unload. So much for integrated public transport!
The ferry reloaded and backed away as we got back into the car. Just
enough time to get a few last pictures before heading away down to the
Ross of Mull and the Iona ferry. The scenery on the way down there this
morning was spectacular - the heavy frost leaving a white imprint on the
landscape. |
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On the way down through Craignure and Lochdon, Al fired up the laptop and
opened up Graham's AIS software. This is a nifty piece of kit that helps
track vessels (not just the Calmac fleet) and also proved very helpful
later on in the day. On our journey down to Fionnphort we could pick up
the Isle of Mull's signature as she crossed back into Oban as well as Eigg
which was crossing to Lismore. The range was only about 25-30 miles or so
and there was nothing else showing up on screen at this time. |
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As we headed down Loch Scridain on the road to Bunessan and Fionnphort,
the time was almost 1000 as Graham asked how far away were - I think he
was a little surprised when I said we were still nearly 25 minutes from
Fionnphort (given the Loch Buie was due to leave in just over 15 minutes).
We picked up a little speed and made it into the village just in time to
see the Loch Buie pulling away from the slipway and into the swell. I got
some footage of the ferry as she headed over to Iona before moving to a
handy vantage point out of the biting wind. |
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Loch Buie returning from Iona...
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...and arriving into Fionnphort
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We were down in Fionnphort for roughly an hour or so, until the 1115 to Iona
was away. Al was busy snapping away, as was Graham (both of them were also
caught on video by yours truly) as the Loch Buie made herself busy with her
timetable. The colours were amazing while we were down on the Ross of Mull -
I was just hoping it would last into the afternoon up near Tobermory.
We got away from Fionnphort around 1130ish and with Graham in control we
made our way back along the 35 miles to Craignure. There was no time to call
in at this point. Instead we carried on up the Sound of Mull.
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Al on SoC duties on the rocks at Fionnphort
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Clansman entering the Sound of Mull
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We stopped short of going to Tobermory. On a previous visit to Mull last
year we found a nice viewpoint high above the water. It was from here we
planned to film the Clansman as she came in on the last part of her journey
in from the Outer Isles. The visibility to the south east was brilliant. I
could see down as far as Oban - even to the point where my car was parked,
by the corner at the war memorial.
We were busy talking about site things when one of the others remembered
to check AIS for a trace on the Clansman. Lucky we checked when we did, as
she was less than 5 minutes away and we were totally unaware.
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We abandoned the car and sprinted to the viewpoint just off the road, just
in time as the ferry came into sight beneath us. We didn't have long to
get film and stills - we were to follow the ship down towards Salen and
Fishnish on single track roads while she powered down the Sound at full
speed. As we raced down with the Clansman ahead of us there were all kinds
of obstacles such as idiots with no brakes coming the other way, tractors
and tourists being slow. The only way we made it down to Fishnish ahead of
the Clansman was due to the last stretch of double track road on the south
side of Salen. We returned to the woodland vantage point from this morning
as the mighty Clansman approached, making her usual racket in the process. |
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Clansman passing our vantage point at Fishnish
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Clansman came past us doing about 17 knots, with a very impressive bow wave
to match. She was soon out of sight and we returned to the main road and
followed her once again down to Craignure. Our chosen point this time was
out on the headland by the railway terminal. Unfortunately this involved
trudging through some very wet ground. I tried taking the shore route round
but that proved futile as it was even wetter and dangerous down there. Al
managed to lose one of his trainers in the mud (my heart bled - honest!) and
my feet got wet on more than one occasion, but we made it out to the
headland. There was a bonus waiting for us when we got out there though - as
Clansman was heading down the sound towards us, Lord of the Isles was
heading out from Oban at the same time. |
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Clansman heading in towards Oban...
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...as Lord of the Isles heads out
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We couldn't have timed it better. The conditions were totally clear as Lord
of the Isles came past close in on her final approaches to Craignure while
the larger vessel passed behind as she pressed on to Oban. The reason for
the smaller ship coming over to Craignure was for an overnight berth - due
to the North Pier being occupied in Oban this evening there was no space for
her as Clansman and Isle of Mull were to occupy the Railway Pier.
Lord of the Isles went into the linkspan berth first of all. She raised
her visor and unloaded something that we couldn't see, before shuffling
round to the far side berth to lie bow-in. |
The two ferries passing off Craignure
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There was little in the way of useful daylight left so we hit the Spar in
search of food (as had half of Lord of the Isles' crew or so it appeared)
and fortunately the sausage rolls hadn't been totally exhausted - once again
I hadn't realised quite how hungry I was.
Clansman was due to be operating the Mull run for our return sailing and
all three of us were ready with the cameras as she appeared out of the
darkness. The arrival didn't take long and she was soon alongside - just as
well cos it was icy outside (to the point where my fingers were a rather
novel shade of blue) |
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Clansman and Lord of the Isles share Craignure Pier
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Departure was prompt and we passed out of Craignure Bay and into the Firth
of Lorn for the return sailing. In our infinite wisdom (again, not a word
please Steve) we stayed out on deck to 'take in the air'. OK the real reason
for staying outside was to try and spot the Isle of Mull which was on her
way back from Colonsay. She had been delayed on the island to allow her crew
to attend the funeral of a pierhand who had passed away recently.
There were lights in the distance which we assumed were the Isle of Mull,
but by the time she would have appeared in Oban Bay we were well gone. |
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We swung into Oban Bay and proceeded across to the linkspan ready for
disembarking. After leaving the Clansman, Graham returned us to our meeting
point and my car. We said our goodbyes and headed off once again. For Graham
it was a journey back home, while for us it was a two hour drive to Dunoon
(minus one headlight which gave up the ghost as we got to Oban this morning
- what next with that stupid car???)
So ends another trip diary - eventful as ever, but not entirely for the
right reasons. The February trip is next... |
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