Finished!

Sorry guys had an amazing sail over to troon in quite strong winds and swell but only took 2 hours to get in! Flying through the outer harbor at 5 knots was pretty exciting the Dave and Ross jumped in the dinghy to run to the finish at the marina office. Ross and Andy ran an amazing race on arran and came back on board buzzing with excitement.
We kept oguns engine in neutral all the way over to make sure we were ok but all our phones died hence the lack of blogging.
We were 13th overall 5th in class. If we had been an hour quicker we would have been 2nd it was that close. 27 retirals this year and I think it was harder than last year.
Thanks to Mark for coming down for a beer wnd to congratulate us. Dave gs Jim and dad also came over and Ross wife Julie Ann and daughter heather stayed for a while so we had some very brave people sitting on a very smelly boat! It was great to meet you all and great to share the finish.
So now home with a huge pile of the dirtiest smelliest washing to get though and apparently returning to work. I am also delighted to tell you I am an aunty again to a beautiful little boy. finlay Colin arrived yesterday safe and well and mum and dad are ecstatic. I think missing this years race has now been well and truly worth it!
Thanks again for the support and see you all next year! Xxx
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Going to be an exciting finish

Our boys due in in next 15 mins one other boat just left and another getting ready. Dave s in full command getting a reef in the main and dave g away in to pick them up. Now thankfully we have an engine we can circle at the ready...
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Runners ETA 1430

Sounds like they've had a good run sand nearly done. Quick snooze ha. Refreshed the rest of us. Sun is out and wind looking not too bad. Fingers crossed!
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Waiting...

Andy and ross still away and not expected for a while yet. Dave was filling me in on his view of hurricane baws and has gone to his room...
Alison laughed at your glasses comment - I really needed them last night but couldn't face the hassle of trying to find them. If you could see the state of me the lashes are def the best bit.
All enjoying your comments and. Keeping us going. Don't worry off for a power nap before heading home x
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Battery dead again...

After enduring s long hard night sailed head of the group into lamlash and engine wouldn't start despite being charged several times over night. However some nifty rowing from dave g great teamwork and coordination managed to get onto a mooring before disembarking to plead with a very nice boat yard man who I think wanted to get rid of me before I cried. He very kindly gave me a starter pack and thank goodness we have it up and running again. We've all had 2 hrs sleep and would love to curl up in our bunks but team oggie needs us - if Andy and Ross can run 18 miles I think we can sort out the boat - then sleep!
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Round mull

Not fun. Stared at the lighthouse for 3 hours with hard sailing in 20 knots of wind before making any progress with 2 reefs being put in in the dark and while charging the batteries snapped the key in. Don't panic engine still going on and off but another calamity we could have done without. Dave s brilliant although our tiredness showed when we couldn't pick out the all important red light to steer us on our way.
Andy getting some sleep before goat fell but at least it will be in daylight.
We're ahead of the little pack of 4 or 5 boats but knowing the end is in sight keeping us all going.
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An hour away from the mull

All fine wind settled to 10 knots. Dave quite green and wishing he was rowing :) at least he's done all gps runs! Tried eyeSpy to keep him occupied but with no visibility after w and s we were a bit stuck. Dave s in full command of trimming the sails and keeping us on our toes. All reefs out too.

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Boy its windy!

Visibility not great wind up to 15k so reef in and still doing a steady 7k.
Going to hit the mull early...
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Putting the spinnaker up

Left Jura back of 2 got stuck in wind hole for a bit then goose winged. Now trying the spinnaker. Wind steady at 7k. Boys had a great run and all happy.
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IMG00013-20100523-1600.jpg the human pole

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Paps done

Dave G sent a text from pap 3 - all done and heading back, although its a horrible route back so they will be a while yet. At some point we are going to have to switch the engine off and see if it starts again. Not sure I'm ready for it yet. 13 boats still here so we might have company down to the mull tonight. 72-ish miles to Arran, so if there's wind and we are lucky we might get there tomorrow morning in time for a mid morning jaunt up goat fell and an afternoon sail over to Troon. Sorted!
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Having a cold beer to get over engine dramas

Well thanks to Andy and dave with the help of craobh Colin and nicol from craighouse managed to get the engine fixed - it appears our batteries are rubbish and had been over used with instruments while we rowed for hours. One jump start and these babies pinged into action - engine remains on!
Dave and Andy work really well together trimming the sails and discussing tactics - think they're made for each other actually!
Runners off to a cool start at 7 and loads of boats came in thereafter so were certainly not last. Just working out tides and we may be in luck and there's even a steady breeze!
Alison no chance of any fading but this should be sold as a boot camp for fat people with issues with their bingo wings. Nothing good to say about this years mascara although it hasn't fully been tested but the lengthening and thickening aint happening.
All showered and raring to get going.
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IMG00012-20100523-0642.jpg craighouse!

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Minor glitch

Arrived jura, runners ashore, engine won't start. Oops. 6hrs to fix it before the guys are back.
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And we're off again...

Still no wind and some rain but have tea/coffee and oar power.
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Caroline's stalker

Caroline has just leapt out of the dinghy and abandoned her rowing efforts after being stalked...by a seal. Apparently it has been eyeing her up for a while and finally got too close for comfort. I think from the way it stuck its nose in the air it probably just wondered why this boat smells so bad.
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Row row row your boat

Starting at the top of the sound of jura, and currently heading for an anchorage to sit out the tide 6 miles short of Craighouse. Many blisters and sore hands, but think we could all do with the rest. Only 1.5 miles till we're done for the night. At 1mph.
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Been rowing for 2 hours

Runners resting and we've had a roll and mums meat roll to keep us going. As ever mums baking, soup and meat roll are comforting us all and replenishing the billion calories we're burning up. Just had 5 mins of wind and its gone already. tide changing against us so there will be a long evening of rowing ahead.
Had a happy day though and everyone in great form despite the blisters on our hands and sleep deprivation. Anyway we need to get to craighouse soon as my battery power low!
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IMG00011-20100522-1637.jpg proof dave is eating

Getting ready for jura - only another 3 hours to craighouse!
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The wind has arrived...

And we are so far behind the tide is with us wnd going almost 11 knots over the ground. Yee ha!!!
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If someone can deliver some ice cream just off easdale point...

I'll have a 99 cone please and dave g would like a calipo? Currently hunting down every breath of wind and managing a mighty 3 knots.
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finally away from mull!

Doing 4 knots in a lovely sunny day but not making enough headway. Carrying on nonetheless :) all well fed and happy and praying we never have to row EVER again.

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IMG00010-20100522-1006.jpg

Hugging the coast to avoid the tide
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Calories eaten 500 calories burnt off rowing 10000000000

No wind just past duart but sun is shining!
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Almost out the sound of mull

Chief blogger is taking some well earned rest, so just a quick update. Approaching duart castle, light winds but moving steadily. Passed a fair number along the way, hopefully we'll catch the tides at luing.

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Things have improved!

Wind picked up and although we now don't have the tide with us we're doing about 3 knots in the right direction.
My turn to have a snooze and its very welcome!
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Not quite going backwards...

runners had a slow run due to darkness but both fine and fed and tucked up in bed. Currently have 0 wind but with tide and rowing doing 1.1 knots. Woo hoo
Also remains very foggy but think that's lifting. Don't have tide with us for much longer...
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Games on hills

Whoever came up with the idea of hunt the tiny checkpoint in the dark up a mountain needs to find a new hobby.

Back on the boat which is being rowed out in the fog to head for jura. 2hrs sleep beckons!

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Bequia away - almost rammed us in the process mind you!

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Wow all of a sudden its become really foggy...

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Going to be a while yet...

And everyones sleeping and I'm bored. Was cold too so decided to put on ky thermals and new oilskins and altho warm think I may need the loo but can't face stripping off so soon!
Boys still have some check points to do so got a few hours to wait yet I think. Sailors getting edgy and one lot can't get their anchor up. Why they are motoring round the bay tho I'm not too sure. Very dark now and half moon hidden by clouds. I should probably sleep but hate the runners up there in the dark and don't trust my anchoring capabalities to settle down. And of course now I've had the toilet thought...
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Boys on the summit heading down

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Waiting

Just trying to stay awake and cosy while dave and ross get some sleep. There are a few boats prowling about expecting their runners soon but we will need to wait a bit longer - they're good but not super human! Some laughs earlier when a boat was obviously sleeping while their runners waited on shore. Calls to raise them not. Working but caustic humor did the job :)
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Made it to salen

After rowing for hours came hurtling into salen with a gust! Bequia only half an hour ahead and think we're mid pack :)
Anchoring went well... So far...
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Still en route to mull.

Predictably the wind eventually died. 3.3 miles to go, and the oars are out again. Ross and Dave S on the boat, Caroline in the dinghy pushing us. We are hunting every little bit of wind and celebrating when we get to 1mph! Fun...
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Dave G is told about the free lunch he missed

And promptly passes out.
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And they past us again...

What a hoot just stormed up past these really fast boats as they sat in a wind hole!! Of course now the hole has filled and they've shot off but we're hanging on their coat tails :)
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IMG00009-20100521-1556.jpg

We have just sailed pass all of these boats!!!
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I can officially announce Dave is hungry :)

After the sea sickness of last year with trepidation Dave stepped on board but with the help of beautiful weather some wind and anti sickness patches he is eating!
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8knots wind speed 5.3k

Well another adventurous start dodging the ferries and rowing - sorry Col couldn't answer my phone was in the dinghy pushing oggie!
Sun is shining and we are cruising beautifully. Just had some lunch and the boys are telling us about their first run - hot and heavy going but they did very well and there are at least 16 boats behind us and catching the pack.

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8knots wind speed 5.3k

Well another adventurous start dodging the ferries and rowing - sorry Col couldn't answer my phone was in the dinghy pushing oggie!
Sun is shining and we are cruising beautifully. Just had some lunch and the boys are telling us about their first run - hot and heavy going but they did very well and there are at least 16 boats behind us and catching the pack.

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IMG00007-20100521-1209.jpg the start line

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And they're off!

Sun is out!
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just over an hour to go...

Currently sitting in the sunshine with a coffee not a breath of wind anywhere! Its very pleasant but not quite what we want! We're certainly not complaining though. Runners Dave and Ross all changed and ready to go and are just setting off for the ferry. Daves really funny with his sea sickness patch on (although high drama when the sun screen dislodged it) and his right leg has been shaved and strapped from toe to buttock at the ready. Ross waiting patiently. Not long to go now!
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Race day rumours...

Seems that burly sailor types are in fact the biggest bunch of girly gossips ever. By 7am the word in the shower block was that for the first time in peaks race history competitors would be obliged to motor all the way to mull so the runners could get on with their race. It seems the impeccable logic behind this particular rumour was that there is no wind, the tides are against us and the runners might get bored if it took a while longer. As you might expect it turns out to be a pile of mince, and the race goes ahead exactly as normal. Cue lots of runners going to waterstones in oban for a book or 5. Thankfully we have no such issues, as a direct result of not really giving a stuff when we finish. Sorted.
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IMG00006-20100521-0757.jpg team photo

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IMG00005-20100521-0627.jpg race day!

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Race prep

Few leggy blonde beers, scallops, steak and chips. Ideal athlete food.
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And the fun begins...

the day before the race and the fun begins. You can spot the runners a mile off with their anti sickness patches behind their ears and chests puffed out like 15 year old school boys at their first disco. The sailors look slightly more world weary apart from Andy Dave and I of course! Best laugh is Ian has left his wallet in his car and winging its way to oban on the bus - guess who has to save the day? Yup me! Tee hee drinks are on Ian I mean me!
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Peaked too soon?

Drift too soon, more like. Sitting in oban waiting for the rest of the crew to arrive. So far the only sign of wind has been of my own making. Fog, overcast, damp but warm, and not a breath of a breeze - meanwhile the met office claims force 3-4....

On the plus side, having little else to do means I get to mess around on the boat. On the minus side, most of the things I've touched so far have broken, most impressively the rope that holds the sail up. If you ever find yourself in a similar pickle, Owen Sails in oban are really quite remarkable at getting you out a fix.

To prevent any more dramatic failures I am now abstaining from any further activity and instead will read the instruction manual for the radar unit - I think we'll be needing it.

A

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2010 team introductions

And the 2010 race beckons.....

Couple of changes this year. Dave Smith decided he couldn't use the same medical excuse two years in a row and so has taken up his place as our third sailor, after Tony filled the spot last year. David Walker evidently enjoyed last year's race so much that he felt the need to emigrate to Sydney to escape having to do it again, so Ross Neilson bravely volunteered for (or more accurately, was bullied into) taking up our vacant runners spot. 4 days to go, and we are still currently lacking the following:

i) A fully functioning yacht
ii) Food
iii) Transport to the start line
iv) A reliable forecast

On the plus side, the team T-shirts are awesome this year. There really should be a prize for that alone. We might be slow, but we'll be looking damn impressive while we hang around the back of the fleet. Caroline is taking on the role of Chief Blogger this year (her team t-shirt even says so) so all the updates from here on are likely to be much more informative, although whether any can live up to the mascara advice of last year remains to be seen.......

So, the team and their jobs for this year are:

Caroline - Crew/Chief Bloggger
Dave G - Runner
Dave S - Crew
Me - Crew/Runner
Ross - Runner

Peaked Too Soon rides again.....