Tuesday 11 August 2020 – Tinkers Hole to Tobermory (Isle of Mull) – 32nm – 5hrsto Oban – 24nm – 4hrs

Sitting up on deck last night we were treated to a breathtaking sunset.

This morning the weather reverted to dark skies, poor visibility and more rain. However it cleared up considerably during the afternoon to the extent that we even managed to lose our fleeces and at times wet weather gear.

Between 07:00 and 07:30 just off Staffa island we saw Minkie whales on two separate occasions, one got within 50m of the boat the next within 150m, both gracefully avoiding being photographed. What a fabulous start to the day.

Making a change from mountains were many other rock formations, with a bit of imagination a few of them looked like submarines.

In the distance we could make out the islands of Coll, Muck, Egg and Rum. Had the weather been more appealing and places open to visit they would have been interesting to sail to, but not for us this ‘summer’.

At Tobermory, on the Island of Mull, we picked up a mooring buoy to enable us to have a quick look at the small but pretty town. After lunch we continued our passage as planned to Oban.

Just off Duart Bay three large and very lively dolphins swam alongside us for several minutes, they even posed beautifully for the camera – a joy to savour. Reverting back to the wildlife identification book, this time the jelly fish section, we spotted most of what is said to lurk in the waters around the UK.

Going past Lismore lighthouse a lifeboat going in the opposite direction on its way to tow a sailing boat which had lost engine power, it looked quite exciting at the time.

Oban has more people than anywhere we have been to since leaving home. The bars are thriving, lots of people are wandering around the town and enjoying day trips, shops are open and there is a holiday vibe here. Step off the pontoon and straight into the main street, it’s a great location with lovely people and lots going on.

We had a superb meal out this evening and then sat up on deck people and boat watching until the sun went down. What a great finish to a fabulous day.