Hiltgund 2006 October Cruises from Ardfern Thursday 12th - Monday 16th & Friday 20th - Sunday 22nd Crew aboard: Chris Perring, Elly Veitch, Janet de Vigne, Andrew Whitfield, Christian & Andrew Shaw. Photos by Chris Perring & Elly Veitch

Thursday 12th - Chris & Andrew aboard early evening and off to Valley of Lorne for dinner. Friday - Chris & Andrew motored Hiltgund down to Crinan and moored up in the canal basin. Andrew returned to Sarabanda moored up by Lock 13 to await arrival of his crew. Hiltgund's crew arrived in time for a late dinner and retrieved Andrew to join us as his crew were running behind schedule and weren't expected until rather late. Saturday - After a leisurely breakfast, Hiltgund locked out of Crinan and headed up to Loch Melfort in glorious sunshine. After a short run ashore, enjoyed G&Ts in the cockpit and then dined aboard. Meanwhile, Andrew and the crew of Sarabanda had zipped through the Canal and arrived safely at East Loch Tarbert.

Sunday - Another fantastic sunny day. And another leisurely breakfast after which we sailed off the mooring and headed back down Loch Melfort. Passed Craobh and made the Dorus Mor without a single tack under full main and cruising jib, storming along at 8.5 knots as we approached Dorus. Our one tack of the journey in the Dorus set us up for a fetch back to Ardfern. Engine on for the first time of the day just outside Ardfern. Conditions perfect - it really doesn't get much better than this - and in October as well!! After a quick cup of tea in the sunshine, the girls headed back to Edinburgh leaving the skipper to enjoy another sunny early evening followed by dinner back at the Valley of Lorne. Meanwhile, Sarabanda had made a good passage and safely arrived at Troon. Monday 16th - Another glorious sunny morning .... but really it's time to head home.

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At Crinan - moored in the basin
Moored by Melfort Pier - Loch Melfort
Leaving Loch Melfort
Back at Ardfern
One of the crew from this weekend has helpfully put together some hints and tips about sailing on Hiltgund. Click on the image on the right to see the full list of recommendations. Please note, these are entirely and most emphatically the views of the person who wrote them and shall in no way be construed to be official Hiltgund policy. Furthermore, the captain of Hiltgund is painfully aware that further instruction in the use of some technical terms is definitely needed.

Friday 20th - at Ardfern Crew assembled in time for sun downers in the cockpit followed by dinner at The Valley of Lorne and then a few nightcaps back on board.....
Saturday 21st A light breeze and sunny spells gave us a very agreeable motor sail round to Craobh Haven. Nearly springs, so clocked over 10 knots in the Dorus Mor. Soon after arrival at Craobh, the rain arrived - a good decision to get in rather than hope for more breeze and sun for a late afternoon sail!! Dined aboard and after a quick nightcap in The Lord of the Isles had an earlier night!
Sunday 22nd Left Craobh at 9.00 to get back through Dorus with a fair tide. Anchored off Duntrune Castle for splendid breakfast cooked by Andrew and then the cheerless task of taking off sails and preparing for hauling out. However, spirits were lifted by absolutely glorious weather. Next to no breeze, and the sun was HOT - it really was T shirts weather!! Then motored over to Crinan Boats, briefly alongside to off-load sails and gear and finally left Hiltgund on a mooring ready to go ashore later in the week.

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