PlONEER duly arrived at Largs ex Rothesay at 0725 and, after embarking our party, left prompt at 0735. The weather was chilly and overcast with a stiff breeze but the forecast told of moderating winds and sunshine later in the day. Little did we know what awaited us at the Mull! Our course lay by the south of Arran and Pladda and then on to Sanda and the Mull of Kintyre and we passed Pladda Light at 0915. By this time a breakfast of hot filled rolls had been served and most of us were beginning to thaw out and feel human again.
In no time at all we were approaching Sanda and it was very obvious that quite a swell was running. This worsened considerably as we passed Southend and PIONEER was by now pitching quite briskly. As we approached the Mull of Kintyre the conditions became quite violent and our vessel readily displayed her seagoing qualities while we all hung on like grim death. With a beautiful sense of timing just as the pitching was at its most extreme the ship's tannoy announced that lunch was now available! At that moment very few seemed to be interested!
Once round the Mull, PIONEER now took the bulk of the seas beam on and the pitching was replaced by some very lively rolling which lasted for several hours until shelter was gained from the land of Islay. While all this was going on the sun had appeared and excellent views of Rathlin and the Ulster coast were to be had. By now most of us judged it safe to partake of an excellent lunch, the chances of wearing it as opposed to eating it having receded. We passed McArthur's Point at 1402 with HEBRIDEAN ISLES coming up on us from starboard. As we approached Port Askaig an unexpected bonus made itself apparent when LOCH FYNE was espied moving off the pier to let us in. she was spending a few hours at Port Askaig while on her way from l.ochaline to Troon for annual overhaul.
We berthed at Port Askaig at 1425 and our party swarmed ashore to pick the best vantage points to record the spectacle. No sooner had PIONEER started to move away from the pier than HEBRIDEAN ISLES arrived and while the latter berthed PIONEER did a twirl in the Sound before heading for Mallaig, giving a farewell blast in the process. While PIONEER, HEBRIDEAN ISLES and LOCH FYNE represented CAL MAC's interests the Jura ferry EILEAN DHUIRA was also alongside thus giving the unique spectacle of four ferries at or off Port Askaig simultaneously, probably the busiest day ever at the port.
Photographs duly taken and chocolates and other "consumables" partaken of we duly trooped aboard the HEB ISLES for the 1530 sailing to Kennacraig. This to a certain extent was almost an anti
All judged the trip to have been a great success even with the boisterous conditions and thanks are due to Robin, Hamish and Gordon for organising it and to CAL MAC for letting us utilise PlONEER's light run north for an outing. Special thanks are due to the crews of the vessels for cheerfully putting up with us, especially those on PIONEER. On the latter special mention must be made of her Master, Captain Peter Mclntyre for allowing bridge visits and positioning the vessel for excellent photographs at Port Askaig and her Catering Officer Pat Gallagher for providing excellent meals given the limitations of her catering accommodation and for coping with the fact that, at lunchtime, some passengers' thoughts were very far from eating!
Hopefully a similar trip can be organised at some future date.
