Jean Says: We have revisited Tobermory. It just so happens that it was within striking distance when we were considering where to land for the Diamond Jubilee. So far, when we've asked anyone if there are likely to be any celebrations here in Scotland, they've shrugged and been disinterested. We were going to resort to having our own little do on Bella Rosa.
We've actually come across the buzziest atmosphere of anywhere we've been so far. We arrived last night to see many more boats than were here when we passed by over a week ago. Quite a few of the boats have Union Jack bunting up, and other sorts of brightly coloured bunting. I've been trying to work out if there is a way to get the bunting up to the top of the mast without having to actually shin up the mast with it between your teeth. I'm assuming that the bunting is there to be in the spirit of the Diamond Jubillee, so maybe there will be an impromptu party later, or perhaps we've all arrived here in the hope that something will happen, but someone else will instigate it. Perhaps we should try and get hold of some bunting to give the others a sign that we might be willing participants. Who will make the first move?

The boating fraternity are now looking much more like one would expect them to look. When we first set off, the only people we came across were solitary men, some like hairy unkempt bears, and some a bit cleaner, but unusual in some way. We didn't come across our first 'normal couple' until we were half way up the East coast of Ireland. We then started to meet the occasional boat load of men, and pairs of men of all ages with varying reasons to be out on the water. There was the boat load of younger men who were doing the sailing three peaks challenge that involves running up a mountain, and then sailing to the next mountain. Luckily, they shared the 14 locks with us when we were going through the Crinan Canal and were still in running mode, which was very helpful for us, as we could stay on our boat while they willingly did all the hard work. We met people like George and John, who had joined forces to sail together because their wives weren't interested, and then Joe and David who are also going round Britain without their wives.
In Tobermory, there are still quite a few boats with just men on them, many of them smoking and walking round with mobile phones glued to their ears. " yes darling, we're have a very nice time thankyou, but it would have been nicer if you'd been here. I'm sorry you're having to deal with our fifty children over this bank holiday weekend all by yourself. I'll call you again tomorrow......bye for now", and then you hear the phhhizzz of a beer can opening.
There are now many couples with children and dogs as well. Many of the dogs have gone by on dinghies wearing lifejackets, mostly with their accompanying owners. Most of the children are quite young and permanently clad in life jackets. They're busy with little fishing nets, and some are grown up enough to row around in dinghies without an adult supervising. There are some impressive flags here as well, but I think that they're not called that amongst serious sailing circles. They're probably called ensigns. I feel I should know that and will look it up. They're the sort of flag that makes us think that these people KNOW what they're doing and are members of some elite sailing club. I'm wondering whether I could fashion something impressive out of our Union Jack T towel and hang it off the back of the boat. We could sit on deck looking mysterious and smug. There must be many ways to look like a seasoned salty sea dog (or salty sea canine if we're being politically correct), without having to have a poncy flag, or grow a tangled beard and wear a moth eaten jumper.

Some of the Union Jack Bunting




Nothing! The bunting had given us a completely false impression. We did the laundry, walked to a lighthouse and then went to a restaurant and had steak and chips instead. At least it wasn't raining here.