Although it may seem from our cruising calendar that we only work seven months of the year, the winter months are very busy indeed! At the end of the 2019 season, both vessels transferred along the coast to their wintering mooring at Dunstaffnage Marina. Apart from a break for Christmas and New Year, the annual maintenance is ongoing throughout the winter months, where all boat systems are checked for upgrades and repairs, and the fittings and finishes are refreshed and refurbished for a new season. This winter, Emma Jane is getting a complete new central heating system for the comfort of guests. Last year saw the major conversion of Elizabeth G to ensuite cabins, which has met the full approval of her many admirers. This winter we took on another major upgrade for Elizabeth G by extending the top deck to provide a new aft deck space. This will provide a new comfortable deck seating area which will have a detachable cover which can be used whatever the weather, perfect for alfresco drinks and snacks while soaking in the scenery during the day. It will also be the popular place in the evening for that after-dinner dram and a bit of stargazing. Images of the completed new deck will be coming soon!
Once all upgrades and maintenance are complete, both vessels go on the slip for a complete exterior paint so they will look spic and span for the arrival at the pontoons in Oban to greet the crews for the new season. The last, but very important task is to carry out the week-long annual training and induction for the crew, followed by a great feeling of expectancy and pleasure as they welcome onboard the first guests of 2020.
We know nothing of Scotland. It’s time for us to see why people like this area of the world so much. We book a tour found on the internet. The dates are right. We travel to Oban and find the pre-trip information sent to us invaluable. We wait at the dock for the crew to meet us and take our soft-sided luggage to our cabin. The other guests are prompt and the crew is timely too. We marvel at the amazing cameras and the experiences of other passengers. Two have traveled with the ship multiple times. We are focused on where we are and the journey ahead of us. Our luggage is delivered to our ensuite cabin. There is plenty of space to store our gear and thoughtfully placed shelves for items, such as cameras and binoculars we might need without digging through our bags. The double bed has a portal window and well placed reading lamps. Our cabin and the public areas were impeccably cleaned each morning while we are off to shore with naturalist, Alexa. There is a library selection of literature and guide books to help identify what we saw on walks. I noticed a scrabble game, which we never found time to play. The chef, Mags, works in a tiny galley and turns out the most amazing meals. Giving people a choice between vegetarian and non vegetarian entrees, wine is included with the dinners. A breakfast buffet is laid out and there is always a hot breakfast available. There are 8 of us on this voyage. We all eat together and take excursions in the morning and afternoon. Craig is calm and also assists the chef and helps Chris, the Captain, anchor the boat when we stop for the night. Weather and sea conditions are the great unknown in the Hebrides. The deciding factor to where we will go. Chris lets us know the itinerary will be flexible. He picks amazing calm spots to anchor each night. He is very good at communicating why we are going or not going to an island and invites us up to see the bridge. We travel to amazing sites, such as the island Inch Kenneth and Ulva, and learn the history of eac
Greg and Bobbie Hobbs: 27 April 2019Idyllic Islands: Mull, Iona, Staffa & the Treshnish Isles