GALLERY :: VIDEOS :: WILDLIFE

During Jan 2006, 5 members of the NBTNC made their usual visit to the London Boat Show. Too long an account to feature here, but it can be read in its entirety (with pics) by visiting this link: NBTNC

Fri 10 Feb saw the first outing of the Orange Box for 2006, with a cold, but enjoyable sortie to Rothesay and the Black Bull for lunch. The pontoons were not busy (as might be expected!!), but the wild streets of Rothesay were bristling with shoppers.

Fri 17 & Sat 18th saw another couple of colder, but bright days and some trips around Cumbrae & Wee Cumbrae. A plentiful supply of seals around the Eileans in Millport Bay, curious enough to approach the boat.

Sun 19th, again, cold but bright. A trip to St Blanes Hotel , Kilchattan Bay for a warm welcome from David and an excellent lunch. Wind getting a bit brisk from the north gave our young nephew an exciting first trip to Kilchattan (didn't manage to put him off, a budding sailor in the making - well done Scott!). Seals must have been expecting us back from Kilchattan and had decided to go into hiding.

Plans have been revealed for a Water Borne Recovery Service, an "AA of the Sea", if you will. The plans are at this time, in their infancy. This is not a rescue service and will only attend breakdowns, not life-threatening emergencies. Based at Inverkip, the team attended its 1st test call-out this month. It can be seen here.

Numerous trips these months, too many to specify, both on the Orange Box & Endeavour. Rothesay, Kilchattan, the Cumbraes. Great Scottish weather with temperatures hitting 80+ degrees (not kidding)!!!

Joined on a less summery day by Calum & Greg who had never been on a RiB before. Wasn't cold on the water, but it was a bit lumpy, but both the boys enjoyed the trips round Largs Bay, White Bay & Ballochmartin Bay. Both hung on, no problem before arriving into a calmer Millport Bay and a trip to Mapes Joke Shop & ice cream. Well done boys!

June also saw the start of regular Kilchattan trips to St Blanes (www.stblaneshotel.com). A particular highlight being the impromptu Junior Pool Tournament, here are the highlights.........

As the "youngsters" battled on for their respective towns honour.....the rest of us had a pint!

Unbelievably, the good weather is still with us.....no seriously, any more of these temperatures and we may have to consider water rationing in 2010.

(Apologies to readers in the Home Counties and south west coast of "Britain", click here to see water and an example of what you used to connect hosepipes to!)

Trips being planned for Kyles of Bute, Inchmarnock, Corrie, Sannox, Lochranza, Rothesay, Tighnabruiach, Kames, weather & time allowing! Check back in a couple of weeks!

July 21st saw a special trip past the Cumbraes by the British Antarctic Research vessel RRS James Clark Ross. The Orange Box had special duties that day taking the Chief Engineers father out to the ship to escort her as she passed by Millport and thru the Tan. Fireworks and cheers of encouragement were the order of the day as the local paper (Largs & Millport News) reported as follows:

Unbelievably, up to & including 28th July, the weather has continued to be unseasonably warm!! No rain.......honest!!! So warm in fact that the new Marine Cafe, "Aplysia" managed a roaring trade one Mon afternoon, cheers Howard & Campbell.....tea was great!

DATE	WEATHER / WIND	DESTINATION/COMMENTS	PIC 1	PIC 2	VIDEO
03.08.06	SUNNY / 14mph NW	Hunterston Channel, Trail Islands off Wee Cumbrae
05.08.06	CLOUDY / 8mph SW	Rothesay, Isle of Bute, lunch at Black Bull (excellent)			Waverley Video Clip....old meets new!
06.08.06	SUNNY INTERVALS / 12mph NW	White Bay, Hunterston Channel, Tan, Millport Bay, Ballochmartin Bay read papers in sun!
12.08.06	Sunny / 15mph NW	Millport Bay, Glencallum Bay ("Calums Hole"), Kilchattan Bay. Brisk wind from NW, makes things bit more interesting (and cold!!)!. Refuel & coffee @ Largs Marina
13.08.06	Very Sunny / 6mph NW	Holiday officially ends, but afternoon spent in the sun bobbing about in Ballochmartin Bay before having to head home!!
14.08.06	V. Sunny / 17mph NW	An extra evening "stolen" due to excellent weather. Joined by "Mad Macs" (see pic) for a tandem trip to Kilchattan for tea. BBC forecast said we would have nothing but a 6mph wind.....wee bit wrong, but after a second go at the rather lumpy crossing ....a good night had by all!
23.08.06	Showers...then brilliant sunshine	Departing Millport Pier in a rain shower, trip aboard the Endeavour to Corrie Hotel, Isle of Arran where 7 of us left the chef in a state of shock! Despite being surprised at 7 food orders in one go, the food was good & reasonably priced. Staff very friendly. Showers ceared about 10mins into journey to clear skies & sunshine. Great day!
24.08.06	V.Sunny /	Aboard the Mighty Endeavour, lunch trip to Kilchattan Pier, cycle 1.34miles to Kingarth Hotel for excellent lunch, great menu, great food. Well worth a vist!!

Though the Orange Box wasn't on the water thru Oct / Nov, the webmaster got a trip on Donalds new boat today, a Channel Islands 22, a beauty!

DATE	WEATHER / WIND	DESTINATION/COMMENTS	PIC 1	PIC 2	VIDEO
01.09.06	Overcast/breezy	Launch day for the MV Portland, Orange Box supplied "support boat" duties and photographic assistance			See the full restoration story & launch pics HERE
03.09.06	Sunny intervals / 16mph SW	Hunterston Channel for a blast in the waves, afternoon coffee at Largs Yacht Haven
04.09.06	Bright sunshine / 8mph S	Circumnavigate the Cumbraes, 4 dolphins spotted going thru the Tan (no camera!). Crackin' afternoon, blew the cobwebs away!