Oban - 28/29 June 2006 (day 39/40)

Yacht Gothik

Oban Yachts Marina

Oban

Argyll & Bute

29 June 2006

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Wednesday 28 June 2006

The almanac had no tide data for the place we were in so, based on the tides the evening before, I guessed when the best time to leave would be. This was sunrise. The alarm clock dragged me from sleep and I stuck my head out into the cockpit - nope, at least one hour more of tide would be better. Without waking anyone I went back to bed and slipped into the previous dream.

Beep beep beep - alarm clock again, things were different now. Within a few minutes the coffee was on the go and forty minutes later the anchor was up and we were making our way seaward. It was easier this time, the tide coming toward us - it was easier to manoeuvre the boat at dead slow.

The gap was just as small but the depth was now no cause for concern.

Out, into a force five at ninety degrees off the bow. A beam reach in a light sea, what more could we ask for.

Sadly it only lasted for a couple of hours. The wind died away and it came over grey. After a long time of trying to sail through variable wind we finally gave up and started the engine. Chug, chug, chug.

Next stop was Oban. We were quite excited about Oban - showers, laundrette, big food shops. The marina itself is located on an island (the island of Kerrerar) about half a mile across the bay from Oban. It was small, friendly, had good clean showers, a lounge with comfy sofas and offered a free ferry service to town. We had been thinking 'fish and chips' for dinner from a proper chip shop but the marina had an outdoor (under canopy) seafood restaurant. On the menu were muscles, scallops and oysters. That was it then; toilet, shower, shave, clean clothes and seafood - all in that order.

Alas, it was Wednesday. Although the restaurant was open it only served seafood on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. This was pretty odd since it was after all a seafood restaurant. We had to make do with a panini, sitting outside wearing all our warm clothes since by now it was windy, damp and cold. The panini was very nice but we were still feeling a little underfed and so caught the ferry to Oban to see what it could offer.

Not a lot in the way of chippies or restaurants it seemed. On our walk through the streets we deviated away from the main town and up a steep hill. Nothing here either but we did pass a hotel - The Albion Hotel. In we popped to see if we could possibly order a starter and a dessert. Despite our appearance (chip shop clothes) the manager thoroughly welcomed us and led us through to the dining area - a warm and bright conservatory with a splendid view. The tables were better dressed than us - starched linen and crystal glasses - the menu exciting and the wine list positively refreshing. Not expecting any of this we took the opportunity to relieve them of two of their finer bottles from the cellar. The starter was so good that instead of ordering dessert Ben and I had the Chateaubriand; bleu. It was heavenly. The service had been friendly, expert and unintrusive. We chatted to the manager for a while and learnt that he and his staff were all Austrian. I asked him why there were no Austrian wines on the list and he said regrettably he had been unable to find a suitable supplier. I was able to give him the address of one supplier who may be able to help but if you know of any, the manager at the Albion Hotel would be very interested to hear from you.

We caught the last ferry home to the marina in good spirits. Our laundry had finished washing but now needed drying. Ben grabbed the whiskey and glasses from the boat and the three of us sank into the lounge sofas while the dryers hummed softly in the room next door. It was a bit too soporific, before I knew it Ben (and/or Keith) was shaking me awake and telling me it was time for the boat and bed. Ahh.

Thursday 29 June 2006

We spent today provisioning the boat with lots of goodies in anticipation that Oban would be the last place (before Stornoway or possibly Ullapool) in which we could pick up more than just the basic items. We found a good delicatessen and, among other things, were able to get such delicacies as squid ink (for risotto) and Gjetost cheese! We loaded up with all we could possibly carry but will still have to do another trip tomorrow morning.

All day we had been looking forward to a starter of scallops and a main dish of muscles from the marina restaurant. As our eyes ran down the menu their was a distinct lack of muscles - "I'm afraid we won't have any muscles until tomorrow - Friday is muscle day". What!? No muscles? That meant no main course. We partially satisfied ourselves with a couple of oysters each and a plate of scallops. They were delicious and some of the largest scallops I had ever seen but we were still hungry - lucky we had been to the delicatessen today! Back on the boat the table was soon covered in a large selection of meats, cheeses and olives. Ahh.