Blog

Day 1 & 2: Waylaid by engine trouble in the fishing port of Killybegs, gave time for beaches, boats and, yes, bars. Extracurricular activities included hammock hoisting, sunscreen slathering and 'extreme' fishing featuring the mad skills of Jonny 'Bananas' Lister. Meanwhile, the Cambridge row team was well-represented in the dinghy category, with the 'explorers club' thumbing a ride to sandier shores, and back in time for cocktail hour.

Day 3-5: Engine sorted, the crew's first hop was over to the wee village of Teelin for a Gaelic lesson over a pint. "Dia duit!" (A good day to you!)

Continuing along the coast we were treated to a stunning view of the Slieve League Cliffs and waters dotted with, our namesake, puffins! The boat made good time thanks to the skilled handling of Jennine 'Trim It' Grootens.

Stops at Arranmore Island and Portsalon were a lead-in to the longest leg of the journey, around Malin Head and across the North Channel, where a high-pressure system forced Puffin to motor into Port Ellen. Located on the Isle of Islay, the quaint community still follows the honesty system of pay boxes. It's also home to the Laphroaig Distillery, specializing in single malt peated whiskey. Hiccup!

Day 6: Northwards to the pristine waters of the Ardmore Islands and its abundant population of seals. These lazy critters couldn't be bothered. While they basked along rocks we laid anchor, cranked up the tunes and poured a round. Meanwhile, an away team rowed the dinghy ashore, and an intrepid Jack 'Swims with Seals' Emmins took a very brief dip in the frigid bay.

Day 7: Plagued by a lack of wind, Puffin motored across the Sound of Jura, dropping a message in a bottle along the way. Somewhere out there awaits a reply to the CUYC! Broke for lunch at the legendary Eilean Mor of the McCormaig Isles where an ancient chapel/ale-house/illicit still yet stands.

At Carsaig Island, more aptly identified as 'Jurassic Park Island' for its lush primordial foliage, we sighted what looked like the Lion King's den, now home to Anatole 'Anchor Man' Chessel and his wild mane.

Day 8: The passage to Easdale witnessed Skipper Graham 'Ice Man' Webb's excellent blind navigation skills as he maneuvered Puffin through dense fog and fickle whirlpools amidst a cluster of veiled islands. [Queue epic soundtrack]. Shortly after arriving at Easdale, home to the international Stone Skimming Championships, Puffin was boarded by a pair of crazed-Frenchmen. Starved for company they came bearing wine, cheese, ham, and a pair of grins. Hearing the clank of bottles, Rebecca 'Up for a Good Time' Norris welcomed them aboard. Conversation continued ashore at the pub. How we wandered back on the dinghy that night is still up for debate.

Day 9: The next morning with wind in her sails, Puffin made a dignified exit to the site of dolphins!

Final destination Oban: Arrived to the tune of bagpipes, and after a round of showers, we made for the ferry and a 'haik' about town for one last evening of revelry, punctuated by a glorious sunset.

Day 10: All things come to an end and polite society necessitates clean laundry. The crew boarded 'Hogwort's Express' southward bound, one by one parting ways.