We met more and more yachts as we passed through the Sound of Mull
again, with the holiday season now in full swing. Picking up a mooring
at Craignure, the ferry port for Mull, we went ashore in hot sunshine
for a walk to Torosay Castle, with its mile of miniature steam railway
(photo). During the evening the northerly breeze, to which we were
exposed, freshened making the anchorage uncomfortable, so we made a late
move across to Bernera, off the west coast of Lismore, which was
sheltered. With Dunstaffnage Marina full for the weekend with Classic
Malt Cruisers we had to use Oban to pick up Pat and Stan for the
weekend, but managed to secure a mooring close inshore off the esplanade
- handy for the short transfer from the slipway. With a Force 6 on the
nose on Saturday we abandoned the planned visit to Tobermory (the first
for Pat and Stan) after going as far as Craignure, then turned about for
a comfortable sail down to Loch Spelve, where we spent the rest of the
day. On Sunday we sailed over to Puilladobhrain for a short stay, then
up through the Sound of Kerrera back to Oban for a late lunch and
farewell to Pat and Stan. Then off again to Loch Aline, where we arrived
as a dreich drizzle set in for the rest of the evening.