New Donny Video

[Oldman2]

Another offering from Donny, stunning views.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0GilS4nPUw

[The Gurnard]

Hey..thats me ..fame at last..thanks Old Man

I you liked that one ... Watch for the next video coming soon, as I mentioned in the above video , Im off tomorrow on a multi day trip in that boat. 165 miles round Mull..visiting Staffa and Lunga in the Treshnish Isles.. assuming the weather allows me to do the full round ..got 110 litres of petrol on board so Im glad I stopped smoking

My passage plan ..we all need one on a decent adventure

[willk]

Best o Luck on your ventures. Never mind the 110 liters of petrol - hope you have sufficient quantities of Gravy & Amber Glow for your planned nights - remember the golden rule of thirds - Half for the 1st night, half for the 2nd night, regret not packing more for the 3rd night.

P.S. 3 or 4 Gurnards? Clearly, you need to invest in a Morrison's Fish Counter...

[Maximus]

As Wilk said!...
Have a Great trip Mate
Keep safe ...and see you soon!

[neil.mccrirrick]

Your passage plan seems to have missed Easdale? There’s a cold beer waiting if you drift off course [emoji1][emoji106]

[Steve509926]

Have a great trip Donny, I look forward to seeing the video.

Thanks for the insperation which got me up to Lochalsh. Without your vids we wouldn't have gone there, so please keep making and posting them. We had a brilliant time, even on our last "interesting" trip to Loch Hourn (Hell)

[The Gurnard]

Hi Old Man..thanks again for highlighting my video.

Willk, and Maximus ..thanks for your comments too..and I am travelling light as although Im the only boat going as unfortunately my regular wingman has gone down with Covid this week and I don’t want to know him until he is clean again. My niece is coming along in the boat so well packed and mostly light supplies like whisky instead of Guinness

Neil..normally I would detour but unfortunately I have to work the weather. Sunday is now forecast 30mph gusts and I don’t want to be in open waters in that..so Im heading straight for Balfours Bay today..70 miles is a long day as it is ..but will def detour to see you next weeks.

Steve looking forward to your tale on my return glad you had a good holiday

Im off on the high tide so catch you all later

[neil.mccrirrick]

Good trip donny see you soon

[Fenlander]

I know The Gurnard appreciates the easy portability of his small Frib but it must be nice for a change to feel the easy power of a 25hp on that efficient alloy hull.

As always a great video.

[Hat]

Great video Donny stunning scenery. Good luck with your trip
I spent many yours diving Sound of mull and once tried to canoe around
Mull but the weather beat me

[The Gurnard]

Originally Posted by The Gurnard

My passage plan ..we all need one on a decent adventure

And like all decent passage plans ... I had to adapt the route in real time for a fantastic adventure.

I still covered around 200 miles in four days.. but you will need to wait until I get the video made to find exact details

However those with a little knowledge of the West Coast will get a clue from these clips from the video.

The old Gurnard himself.. not only with weather beaten face but sun tanned too from 4 days at sea



At anchor in a Caribbean coloured lagoon .. it was hot as hell in there



Who needs a drone ?



Goats trying to eat a tree that is millions of years old



Musical Caves at the edge of the world



Going to the races where one standing wave tries to get in the boat from the front



While the following wave tries to sneak in the boat from the back



Lots more happened..but you will have to wait for the video for the whole adventurew ..coming soon to my YouTube channel

[The Gurnard]

Originally Posted by Fenlander

I know The Gurnard appreciates the easy portability of his small Frib but it must be nice for a change to feel the easy power of a 25hp on that efficient alloy hull.

As always a great video.

Yup..the 25HP is a real bonus as is the larger boat..but Im going to be perfectly honest Fenlander.

Having gone round Mull in the 4.30 HD SIB with wooden floor in similar conditions to going round in the same size alloy hull inflatable.. I can honestly say..it makes no difference to me going these types of adventures having a heavy wooden SIB on a trailer.. or a similar sized RIB on a trailer.. so I must miss something ?

Granted if your interest is slalom courses and pulling donuts .. it would make a difference...but I have no interest in that type of boating..Im only interested in long haul adventures in sometimes arduous conditions.

[TmMorris]

Lovely pictures. Must have been a great few days out on the water.

[The Gurnard]

Thanks TmMorris, it was a great time and the weather was reasonable, which makes a big difference off the west.

It was the forecasts that were confusing the issue for me .. neither the Met Office or XC weather could agree on the following days forecast so I had to make my call on the worst prediction and instinct. The only thing I didn’t manage to do from the original passage plan was get out to Lunga to see the puffins. However it was that bouncy in the strong tides that I knew I wouldn’t be able to land to see them anyway. There were plenty on the water around Staffa so it wasn’t worth the extra distance of open sea then not being able to land to see the nesting burrows etc.

This was my actual route although camp spots were different from original due weather forecasting.

[Steve509926]

Great pictures Donny, that lagoon looks wonderful.

Look forward to seeing the video.

[The Gurnard]

Thanks Steve..if you thought Lochalsh area was good.. a suggestion.. next year get the ferry to Mull .. drive to the Ross of Mull and stay at Fidden Campsite..assuming they open next year.. its even better than where you were this year and the campsite superb.. right on the shore
Sunset from Fidden Campsite looking over to Iona



Some beaches on Iona





Tropical water..just a bit chilly though



I have a few videos of the Ross of Mull going by wee F Rib for you to see for yourself. I gave Iona only a passing glance this time..just too much to see at sea for me this time around

[Steve509926]

Coincidentally Diane and I was discussing staying at Loch Lomand for a long weekend followed by 10 days on Mull or Oban next year. Seeing that sunset has just confirmed, allbeing well, it will be Mull. Maybe leave it until June though, it was bloody cold at Lochalsh
Saw your curious seals whilst we was at Loch Hourn, I think someone has been feeding them!

[The Gurnard]

As far as I am concerned. Loch Lomond is only good for flushing out your outboard ..nothing else ..but thats only my opinion..I know plenty jet skies and folks who like trashing the islands wild camping and leaving carrier bags of empty cans on them..so each to their own

This is the best video of Loch Lomond though .. its definitely worth a watch

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-Irpy7S9iQ

[Steve509926]

The big difference Donny is that you live well north of where we want to be, and age has now dictated that 5 - 6 hours is my limit driving with a caravan in tow. So it's either Strathclyde, Paisley or Loch Lomand, so Loch Lomand is probably the best stop off point.
Mid week in June around Loch Lomond is to early for the "plebs" to be enjoying themselves (I know that's PC incorrect, but it's also true)
Someone mentioned stopping off at Helensburgh as an alternative, perhaps I should check it out?

[The Gurnard]

I finally got the Round Mull video made which is just as well as Im off adventuring again tomorrow ..its a hard life living in the promised land. Hope you enjoy Mull Morvern and More .. and thanks for watching it if you do ..if not..well thanks for reading this far

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ac8uiVyxpl4