Easdale RIB Rendezvous 10/11 May 2014

[willk]

Were very much in evidence over the weekend.

I'm currently savouring the fruits of the annual "Prisoner Exchange"

Slainte Mhaith!

[jambo]

Originally Posted by willk

Were very much in evidence over the weekend.



I'm currently savouring the fruits of the annual "Prisoner Exchange"



Slainte Mhaith!

As you were but you were more interesting!!
Thanks again for you 'know what' appreciated.
I took had to break the seal and have a large one.
Slainte
B


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[willk]

Originally Posted by jambo

Thanks again for you 'know what' appreciated.

No probs. I have a few photos from the trip over here: Linky

[Honestman]

Great post Willk!
Thanks to Tony and all his team for being so amenable and for all their hard work over the weekend.
Thanks to all in the Easdale area that made us feel welcome; especially the ferry lads.

It was lovely to meet some new friends to expose my ignorance of boats to, and meet up with some older ones who already know that I know nothing about boats.

Saturday was definitely our best day on "Braewatch" and Jambo did a great job at the helm, negotiating us around safely. The chop going into Corryveckan was livelier than we usually venture out in ,but the boat handled well and it was great fun. We had a wee bit trouble getting her started in the morning but with a quick prayer to the RIB Gods and a wee caress from yours truly she fired up ( the old girl always preferred me ). The weather was great all the way round except when we were near the distilleries on Islay when we encountered torrential rain; probably a sign!

I enjoyed the company of a lovely lady for dinner who was subjected to my inane drivel throughout the evening. I didn't get her number but I hope we see her again.

I think Jambo wants a new tender....10m at least judging by the ones he was using at Easdale!

The run back on Sunday was idilic until we ran out of fuel just short of Crinan. Although other reasons were banded about these were dispelled after we stole the auxiliary's petrol and she fired up. The cause of this lies squarely at my door as I left 30l at home while uttering the eternal phrase, "We've got more than enough extra on deck!". I forgot our 2 stroke has the same fuel economy as the average Boeing 737! Jambo will never trust me again. We were babysat back to Carsaig by some very understanding good Samaritans. Thanks again.

After gorging on chowder the life jacket had to be eased out slightly.
Consumption of alcohol seemed to be a moderate 70 units. Almost teetotal in some areas of Glasgow!

I'm off to steal some of the wife's moisturiser as my face is peeling. I was ridiculed all day at work.
It was worth it, though!

[willk]

Originally Posted by Honestman

I didn't get her number but I hope we see her again.

I shouldn't worry - she had your number from the start

[Honestman]

And here was me being nice! Someone call an Administrator!

[Portnahaven]

Great reports and photos gentlemen. Look forward to the videos.

[Tony Hill]

Easdale RIB Rendezvous – short report
As the meeting day drew closer the weather forecast steadily improved. For many arriving Friday there would have been thoughts of 2013 as both sea and cloud looked angry. The waves were short, sharp with a white crests. RIBs were safely tied up in Easdale’s sheltered harbour. The local community trust Eilean Eisdeal had once again generously waived charges for the weekend.

Acquaintances renewed and new faces to greet overnight the heavens opened and bilge pumps worked overtime. The morning started heavily overcast but the wind had gone and the forecast was for the sun to break out.

By 0930 the group had been joined by a number of local RIBs and by 0940 the fleet was ‘off’ By 0940 all boats were on stop as a large pod of Bottlenose Dolphin blocked the route ahead. Scotland has strict regulations for wildlife harassment and a classic boat management/ wildlife experience was developing. Thanks to everyone for being so understanding. Reducing speed to 4 knots and keeping a straight course allows the dolphin to engage at their discretion. One has to avoid any situations of boats herding the dolphin by encircling them. What a display for us all.

At this point there was a quick count up. We had gathered 25 RIBs, some (Nigel) had left early. There was a rear guard group of RIBs so we estimate there were 30 plus RIBs out with us for the day. Next stop was West Loch Tarbert, Jura via the Gulf of Corryvreckan. The run down the west side of Jura is always spectacular scenery with its barren landscape of rock pinnacles, raised beaches and sparse vegetation. West Loch Tarbert is an ideal refuge. Entering the main Loch is fairly straight forward. Entering the Upper Loch via the first set of narrows requires careful navigation. A coffee stop was called for in spectacular scenery with the Paps of Jura as a backdrop.

Then the navigational challenge to take the very narrow channel of approximately 1 mile via 7 sets of transits to the inner loch. Some of the early boats who hadn’t done sufficient homework didn’t realise such a channel existed. Some skippers didn’t fancy the challenge. One of the most disconcerting aspects of entering the narrows is your chart plotter clearly shows one going over the shore some 50+m to the east. At noon Seafari’s 11m cabin RIB escorted a small fleet through the narrows to the Inner Loch Tarbert for a lunch stop.

On returning down the narrows the circumnavigation continued. Some tried to turn the event into a distillery tour but Bunnahabhain and Caol Ila only offer tours Monday to Friday. Port Askaig’s hotel made amends before heading on to Craighouse, Jura where the Jura Distillery made a few quick sales as did the Craighouse Hotel. By 1800 RIBs were back at Easdale.

Sunday was to dawn fair again. The usual plan is to visit an island locally and Belnahua, the most remote of the 4 Scottish Slate Islands. Abandoned during the First World War the ruins indicate the harsh life of a slate quarries in the 19th century. An added bonus was to meet and chat to the island’s owners who were out working on one of the old ruins.

Back at Easdale for a late lunch the rain arrived. Recovering boats in the rain did not spoil what had been an excellent weekend RIB Experience. Thanks to all who came from far and wide. We hope you enjoyed yourselves and look forwards to seeing you at Easdale throughout the season. Do come back, stay for a week. We would be grateful if you would help us promote Easdale as a RIB friendly tourism destination/centre for a holiday
Team ERR

[Tony Hill]

Video to come
If you guys have any good pics request
Please share them with Seafari or RIB Rendezvous Facebook page or send to us via email

Thanks

Tony

[Trevor G]

Here's my video of the weekend - taken from Baby Blue

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsUHtjgQ1rE

[jambo]

Great vid Trevor. It was nice to meet up with you on Sat night. Hope you had good drive home.


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[Portnahaven]

Brilliant video. Good to see the weather gods being kind.

[Chris Caton]

nice vid Trev

[Tony Hill]

see link

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdr0Y_THuOI

[Barrowboy]

Great vid's Trev and Anna.

Who's the geezer jumping in without a drysuit? Hard-core, or what!!

Beautiful long-haired German Shepherd...how does he react ro dolphins?

[Chris Caton]

nice vid Tony

are we booking places on this cruise for next season Tony (Barrowboy)

[jambo]

Originally Posted by Chris Caton

nice vid Tony

are we booking places on this cruise for next season Tony (Barrowboy)

You did promise!!


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[Barrowboy]

Originally Posted by Chris Caton

nice vid Tony

are we booking places on this cruise for next season Tony (Barrowboy)

Yep, for sure.

Best give them a couple of weeks to recover from this year's event though before hassling them for next year's date, eh?

Or has it already been published?

[jambo]

Not officially but if on it will be first wend in May.


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[Barrowboy]

Originally Posted by jambo

Not officially but if on it will be first wend in May.


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'if on' sounds ominous?