This morning the skies were blue with a hint of sunshine. We left the anchorage after breakfast and went alongside at Campbeltown marina for a couple of hours to shop and refill our water tanks, then started our passage around the Mull of Kintyre to Port Ellen. We had our passage and timings planned, but also picked up some local knowledge before leaving port.
The wind dropped right off to 1 kt so it was more a case of motoring today with the occasional attempt at putting out the sails. However, we were glad of the low winds as we hit the overfalls, even on this ‘still’ day they were pretty aggressive.
The coastline of the Mull had lovely secluded sandy beaches, some had well spaced out campsites and holiday mobile homes close to the shoreline, with farmland behind them and the Sandra Islands in front. No doubt these would be idyllic for sea bird watchers and walkers on a good week with a bit of sunshine.
Our view is of Mull of Kintyre, Isla, Jura and Northern Ireland also many birds flying over and an occasional puffin. We’re just loving being dry and feel we made the right decision to move on today and enjoy some fine weather for a change. Tim even had his sunglasses ready in the hope that summer would reach Scotland.
Approaching Islay on the left we saw the Port Ellen distillery and on the right Laphroaig.
There are two pontoons here, run by local volunteers, with an honesty box. At just £20 per night including electrics what a bargain. The fees need to be left in the Spar shop, which only opens from 4pm until 6pm.
It was a lovely evening and we walked around the very small village, it didn’t take long. Unfortunately the ‘Whisky Bar of the Year 2019’ was closed, so we opted for the only other pub open. What a grim place. On arrival, the landlady was outside smoking, the locals drank in one bar and visitors were pointed to their own entrance and separate bar. We sat in what can only be described as the naughty corner with putty and mustard coloured walls, it was awful and the pint tasted no better.
The actual port was very pretty. A war memorial took centre stage overlooking the bay.
Some hardy locals were swimming and other than other boat users and cross chat between boats, Saturday night was dead. So we drank our supermarket whisky on board and planned to move on tomorrow.
The Tim Heale Website 
So glad your making the most of your well earned retirement.xxxx
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