Scottish SIB Gathering - 13 & 14 June 2015

[Poly]

As previously intimated there is a rough plan for a Scottish SIB trip.

Having counted up the interest levels in that thread there were about 20 expressions of interest - I am sure it will be fewer than that on the day, although others are welcome to join too. Based on the stated preferences the North Argyll ("Oban-ish") was marginally favoured and Camping in June has come out as the other two choices. On that basis I have taken an executive decision to propose 13-14 June 2015 and will work up some route ideas roughly in the Oban area. I know not everyone preferred Camping so *if possible* I will try to devise a route which would allow others to join the overall group without the same level of discomfort.

Can I ask people to state intent to come via this thread with number of people (and no of tents), if they keep the boat on a trailer, and if they would be looking for camping space on the Friday (or Sunday) night as well as the "main" event?
e.g.

POLY - 1+person, 1 tent, Trailer, Sat night only.

I have attached some more info - but some important details are TBC - I really just want to get dates in diaries...

[jwatson]

Jwatson: 2 people, trailer, 1 tent, fri sat sun

Trailer is for transport only not launching.

[warder54]

2 people + tent Friday & Saturday Camping.
Trailer for launching (4.8m Happy to tow/recover as previously mentioned)

[9D280]

9D280 - solo - tent - car boot & a lug down the beach!

...of all the weekends to pick!!! (Serious negotiation currently in progress..... )


Note: Just to emphasise the sentence in the PDF about phone signals - having cruised walked & cycled around the area for years, I can assure you that regardless of network, the phone signal is at best patchy, and what signal is available is poor (apart from places like Oban bay).

Also those wanting to use an online nav. ap on their phone make sure you have cached all the maps you might need or your screen is going to look a bit like one from a Garmin12!

[The Gurnard]

The Gurnard ..on his own.. tent..fri and sat camping .. trailer to park

[Poly]

I met with "The Gurnard" and "9d280" this evening to talk through possible plans. More will be posted soon once details of launch facilities etc have been confirmed but I am sure you will be pleased to here the discussions this evening turned to:

- visiting abandoned islands by SIB
- Atlantic "circumnavigations" ;-)
- Hermits in caves
- and exploring places not accessible by land.

as well as sheltered mountain lined glens if the weather turned nasty...

In true "the Gurnard" style: ...to be continued.

[rab rib]

I'm up for it also:-
1 person;1 launching trailer;1 tent;1 of the days;

[Deano]

Deano - 1 person, tent, no trailer, Fri & Sat.

[Poly]

The plan!
[All plans are subject to change depending on weather etc].

After much discussion, accompanied by a that fine mind lubricant that The Gurnard always carries for boating emergencies we have developed a bit of a plan! It is intended to provided maximum flexibility to adapt to the weather on the day, and not leave us too much in the middle of nowhere if the forecast is wrong etc.

There is a small abandoned island not far from Easdale that in our discussions became described as "a SIBable St Kilda". That is our target destination for the Saturday evening if the weather plays ball. We'll be starting off at Ganavan Sands Car Park / Slipway - which the nice people at Argyll & Bute Council have confirmed we can use for both days for the trivial pay and display cost. There are various ways to get to Belnahua from there and you might choose to hug the shore, pass under the "Bridge Over the Atlantic" and all the way round Luing, or head North first and see Castle Stalker and the ruined castles on Lismore, or take in a lap of Kerrera the Island directly opposite Oban and stop for your first cup of tea at the Tea Garden, before grabbing Lunch at the Oyster Bar on Seil!

If the history on Belnahua and neighbouring Fladda with its classic Stevenson lighthouse is too recent for you then perhaps you'll want to take in the Monastic Beehives at the Garvellachs. And of course whatever you don't fit in on the way there becomes an option for the return journey after a night under canvas on Belnahua.

For those coming from far afield you may want to stay before or after and Oban has a wide range of accommodation for all tastes and budgets including the Oban Caravan and Camping Park which is likely to be the default choice for RIBnetters ariving on the Friday.

If camping is not your thing then there is plenty of accommodation in Oban, and the B&Bs of Easdale, Seil and Luing which serve our "big boat friends" so well in May shouldn't be so far away that you feel too isolated from those left high and dry on Belnahua!

Of course if the weather is really foul the Firth of Lorne is no place for a SIB and we may revert to plan B in the more sheltered Loch Etive, or hide from the weather in some suitable hostelry with salty tales of what might have been!

More details attached.

So far we have:

Poly (+1?)
The Gurnard
Jwatson +1
warder54 +1
9d280
rab rib
Deano

[beerbelly]

I will have to check my finances nearer the time as we have booked a week in a static on luing for two weeks after this and that wasn't cheap. if I can make it camping 1 person in a tent no trailer

[The Gurnard]

Arr... Poly me Lad.. it sounds a sound plan to me .. to route plan as we plane on the day ..to suit the weather and the waves.




For those of you not in the know.. Belnahua is one of the least known of the “Slate Islands” to the south of Oban. In its hay day ... more than 100 people worked and lived on the Island. The last inhabitants left at the start of the First World War. The village now lies in ruins.

Weather dependant ..we hope to camp overnight among the nostalgic ruins. There will be a fire to BBQ burgers and other edibles that you bring .. a bucket with an old toilet seat and Elsan liquid to assist disposing the edibles in the morning. We will ensure the island is left as we found it ..if not cleaner.

The route we take to get there will be weather dependant. Tides can run at six knots in the area.. so ensure your SIB engine is up to scratch. Also make sure you read Poly’s PDF attachment which basically says “If you drown..dont come crying to us..it is your own fault” Unless of course you are keel hauled and made to walk the plank for mutiny.

X marks the spot for treasure Island me harties. The village pavements are paved with fools gold. T’will be a true adventure ..thats for sure... and don’t forget to bring the dark gravy to loosen yer tongues. We likes to hear a good yarn from a fellow sea rover.

[The Gurnard]

Found this on U Tube The "Campsite " ..beware if you sleep walk ..the old slate mine holes are very deep

Deserted buildings on Belnahua - YouTube

[Nick Hearne]

Hi Poly, sorry but I think I will bow out for now as that’s a 500 miles for me and an 8 hour drive.
Plus I have managed to get a green card to do a 2 week trip to Morocco driving through the Atlas Mountains and the Sahara in April without the wife and kids so I don’t think this is a good time to bring this one up!

[SteveHall]

Makes me want to buy a SIB so I could come along and listen to The Gurnard round a small fire with a glass of the black stuff!

[A1an]

I've put this in my diary, the plan is to go BUT, I've got quite a lot of weekends away booked for April/May/June so il need to gauge my handbrakes "form" before putting my name down as a definite.

[jwatson]

Looks fantastic. Will we have time to catch our dinner do you think? I guess that could be addressed once we have pitched camp.


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[Poly]

Originally Posted by jwatson

Looks fantastic. Will we have time to catch our dinner do you think? I guess that could be addressed once we have pitched camp.

Well I have it on good authority that the Gurnard is rather proficient at that art so I am sure will provide helpful input.

Based on my success rate to date I will be bringing food as I may starve if relying on catching it. There will certainly be plenty of time to try and catch your supper though!

[The Gurnard]

Im always up for a bit of fishing and will have a rod with me. I see you are hoping to arrive on the Friday and I intend to be there on Friday too..so perhaps we can try our luck on Friday evening ?

Its a bit early for the mackerel..but I have plenty in the freezer for bait.



Oban is famous for the big bad girls shown in this video... just off Oban :-D

Dont think we could bring her into the SIB though. Huge congers too but that is my worst nighmare.. fighting with a 10 foot conger in my wee boat

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8SD2oRhscQ

[Biggy]

Hi poly / Gurnard..
What you've put together looks superb,and definitely the sort of thing I was hoping for.
Unfortunately I'm away with the family in the caravan & boat beginning that same week. Maybe next time I'll be able to join in.

Have a fun & very safe journey guys!!!!

[Boatnomad]

Belnahua-360