Elizabeth G was looking her very best with a total makeover inside and out for her first cruise of the season. Our four crew, Skipper Rob, Chef Steve, Wildlife Guide Vivi and Bosun Sarah were ready to welcome our first guests of the season on board yesterday on a 6-night cruise to Magical Mull. Our next Magical Mull Wildlife Cruise is September 26th 2015.
The onboard menu is already getting rave reviews with bubbly and Granny Mary’s amazingly light scones on arrival and fresh langoustines for the first dinner on board, anchored in Tobermory Bay; a taste of magic indeed!
Today (Sunday), lunch was Wild Mushroom and Blueberry Risotti with Apple Salad while anchored in beautiful Loch Drumbuie, famed for its sunsets. A walk ashore will help build up the appetite again for dinner with locally caught cod in Harrisa crumb for the main course.
We have been asked for the recipe for Mary’s scones – so here it is! Granny Mary’s Scone Recipe Mary is 87, Rob’s mum-in-law, Emma’s Granny and very much head of the family.
Mary is a massive fan of Elizabeth G and she and Rob had a great overnight stay on the boat last summer. She loves making the scones each week for the new guests.
The number of wildlife sightings are already stacking up with bottlenose dolphins, great northern divers, arctic terns, Manx shearwaters, lots of shags and red deer on the list so far.
Just returned from our second successful trip to St Kilda on the Elizabeth G. It was lovely to be greeted by the familiar faces of Rob and Craig from our previous trip along with naturalist Zoe and chef Sian. Rob’s experienced weather-eye meant he paced our journey to St Kilda so that we made the best of the beautiful weather so that we had the full day ashore on the sunniest day, even better than the previous trip in 2019. As before, Craig attended to our every needs and sumptuous meals were served up by Sian, maintaining the high standard of cuisine we have come to expect on the Elizabeth G. As an experienced whale-watcher Zoe was indefatigable in keeping a lookout for whales and dolphins and her enthusiasm was very infectious. She was also careful to make sure everyone was alerted when any were sighted. All in all it was a fantastic trip and I can’t wait till the next one.
Helen Mainwood: 5 July 2021St Kilda and the isles of the Outer Hebrides