Returning to Rhu (2)

Summary: Largs to Rhu. 23.6 miles in 4 hours and 10 minutes. A varied passage – winds between Force 0 and 6 and the weather everything from cloudy to full sun.

The Waverley steaming past

To split the journey back from Lamlash, we headed back to Rhu via Largs, so this morning we set off from Largs to head back to Rhu again and then on to home. Having had quite a reasonable breeze overnight, the wind was completely dead first thing in the morning when we left at 9am. However, within minutes of getting out of the marina, a nice breeze sprung up and gradually built to a F5 gusting 6 directly on the nose. With 2 rolls in the jib and full main we were going nicely, though we did need to put in about 4 tacks to get up to Cloch Point (which we have renamed Amazon point after the huge Amazon distribution centre just round the point!).

We (well I!) was looking forward to getting round the point and cracking off on a close reach for Rhu. However, right on cue, as we headed round the point the wind headed us and then gradually died. After dicing with the Dunoon-Gourock ferries and tacking through the moorings in the bay, we finally gave up as the wind died completely and on went the engine to motor the rest of the way back.

On the way back the Waverley came close past coming out of Rhu. We picked up our mooring for lunch and then moved the boat back into our usual berth in the marina.

Charmary in Rhu

Looping back via Largs

Summary: Lamlash to Largs.18.7 miles in 3 hours and 5 minutes. A quiet and sunny motor back to Largs Yacht Haven.

A completely uneventful passage! Though there were occasional hints of wind, they remained just that and gave up the ghost without amounting to much. So, we motored all the way and moored in berth D18 at Largs. A hot evening walk into Largs centre and a Nandini Irn-Bru flavoured ice cream finished the day off nicely.

Landing up in Lamlash

Summary: Rhu to Lamlash. 35.7 miles in 5 hours and 55 minutes. Basically calm all the way, but we managed just over an hour’s sailing.

Charmary moored in Lamlash Bay

We headed across from Rhu between Bute and Great and Little Cumbrae Islands and then across to Lamlash Bay on Arran. It was a quiet passage with very little wind most of the way though we did manage to sail for a short time. In Lamlash we picked up one of the visitor’s moorings for the night. The bay is beautifully sheltered from most directions – shelter from the east being given by Holy Isle.

The name Holy Isle is a bit of a giveaway that it has long been thought of as a sacred site. There is said to be a healing spring (well there is definitely a spring anyway!) and there is also a hermit cave of a 6th century monk. The island is now owned by the Samye Ling Buddhist Community and on the northern end of the island is a Centre for World Peace and Health. On the southern end of the island are buildings used by nuns on a three year retreat. Visitors are welcomed and there is a regular ferry across to the island.