Last view of Arran

After calling in our retirement from the race we are motoring North past Arran to take Stormcruiser back to her berth at Kip Marina. We all have places to be on monday and much as we wanted to finish the race under sail, time was against us. We could have easily spent another 36 hours hanging around the Mull of Kintyre waiting for the wind to turn in our favour. That would still leave Goat Fell on Arran to be run followed by the short leg to Troon and the finish line.

Mike and Scott were booked on a plane back to Culdrose, Craig and Brian were going on leave, Ian was back on duty at HMS Gannet and I was going to head home and catch up with the various web projects I am running. It simply didn't make sense to try and finish against the prevailing weather.
However, If it had been blowing force 8 we would have loved it.

After topping up the fuel tank, sorting the sails, cleaning Stromcruiser and then moving everything to Ian's house it was time for me to push off. I managed to get as far as Ayr. A hot bath, a very large glass of Isle of Jura single malt and the best 8 hours sleep I can remember. If you had asked me if I wanted to do the race again my answer would have been 'not on your life'. A week later and I am thinking that it wasn't so bad....maybe next year we will............