29 July 2025 – Tuesday – Ardalanish

We planned to meet our buddy boat today at a harbor on the Ross of Mull which is the opposite side from Tobermory. The harbor is Ardalanish. The arm on one side is a one or two boat very protected spot. We knew there was another boat already anchored there but we went in for a look. It seemed too narrow for us to add our 62 ft boat and another 42 foot boat so we backed out. We had seen one boat anchored by a beautiful sandy beach just before we had entered the secluded anchorage. It was open to the south west but we knew that there was no major wind predicted for the rest of the day. In fact we had motored all the way from Gott due to lack of wind. 
As we were anchoring, several more boats from our fleet joined the anchorage. We all took the opportunity to dinghy into the beach and go for a walk. Bill took off from the group and climbed the cliffs. He likes a challenge. The sand was a varying array of designs from tides and ground water coming down to the beach. It was another sunny afternoon which made it even better. 

We returned to the boat to shower and get ready for our dinner guests. The boat has an outdoor deck shower that Bill and Johanna used since they both had bathing suits. I was certain that I would not go swimming or take an outdoor shower. I had not packed a bathing suit. There’s an indoor shower too! 
Kathleen decided to take a swim before showering. She jumped in and swam a bit. Unfortunately there is no ladder for the boat and she was unable to pull herself onto the dinghy to help her get back on. Bill suggested that Kathleen swim to the beach where she could more easily be rescued by the dinghy. Dale hopped in the dinghy and brought Kathleen back for her shower. Just a side note: the water temperature here is around 62 F. 

Our guests arrived for dinner with “canapes” and 2 bottles of champagne. Kate and Colin, the owners, had brought along David, a business and sailing friend. Kate is a lawyer and David and Colin are both in the business of saving failing businesses then selling them. The conversation was lively. Dinner of salmon, green beans and couscous was delicious. The salmon here is fantastic. We have happily eaten it quite often. 
We had a variety of cookies for dessert as Bill served scotch to those who wanted it. It has been so helpful to have local sailors from the clubs involved who have knowledge of good places to anchor and sights to see along the way. 
We finished dishwashing and went to bed. Tomorrow we go to a mussel farm for a mussel dinner with pot luck added from the assembled boats.