I am just back from two trips away in the Orkney Islands. The first was from Oban up the west coast to explore Orkney and finish at Scrabster where I brought the crew south by vehicle. The second crew started in a vehicle to Scrabster to join Aquila and then cruise Orkney and return via the west coast and Hebrides. The weather was very kind throughout with little rain and no really adverse winds and we saw a great amount with some very clear weather. I think everyone was well pleased with what they did and will have some special memories of certain times and places. Robert

The weather is still perfect. It was for the 10 day St Kilda trip, not always warm but plenty of sun and sailing.
AVAILABLE are 5th July RYA training trip, one place remains on 1st August Orkney 12 day trip. Training weeks 30th August, 6th & 13th Sept have spaces available.

Well I am off to sea today having been ashore with the broken leg recovering. Fortunately Brian has been able to stand in for me and he took the Hebrides exploration cruise for 12 days with some shocking weather for the first few days but lovely and sunny laterly. They went to Eigg, Isle Ornsay, Kyleakin, Rona, Stornoway, Loch Shell, Shiant Islands, L.Maddy, L. Skipport, Sanna and back down the sound of Mull. This was not what was intended but forecasts of winds up to 10 rather determine a more sheltered approach.
Spaces remain on weeks 14 June, 5th July, for RYA 5 day trips. There is one place left on the 1st August 12 day Orkney / Shetland trip. 30th Aug and onwards have spaces available.

St Kilda cruise

Fancy a taste of the wild west? I have two remaining places on the trip 31st May to 10th June from Oban. This is the north end of Boreray and Hirta in the background. Its a special place to visit by sail, and the scenery is just Dramatic!

This was the initial launch of Aquila Spring 2005 a pleasant calm day unlike 2009 which was a blustery NW 5-6. The Copper epoxy coating which was not working very well has been overpainted with an eroding antifoul - International uno to see how well it performs.

Afloat again

This is the first posting on the new blog. Its all new to me but having been advised it is a good way to go I am happy to give it a try.
Some news:- Aquila my yacht is now afloat for the season and lying on the mooring awaiting a bit of attention to tidy up some loose ends. The first sailing will be on the 12th April with Brian Morrison. Why! well I broke my leg on the 10th of March and am out of action until May when I should be a lot more mobile. I have had to forgo a few weeks of action due to my skiing tumble. Time will heal.