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Wednesday, 20.07.2011
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B Marie is sailing!!
On Tuesday, 19.07.2011 the licence for B Marie came through.
A truely memorable day - after 6 years of long hard work she is now
ready for trips.
The first hire took her to Colonsay.
The picture on the right shows her coming back from a fishing trip.
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18. June 2011
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Survey
A surveyor of the IIMS checks up on the B Marie for the MCA licence. He leaves Mark with a few more jobs to do,
but with 'thumbs up' for the general condition of the boat.
Soon, soon, we will be ready for operation!!
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11. June 2011
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Trying her out!
On another beautiful June day together with friends and family we head out for a
jolly to Lunga.
The puffins are busy with nesting - they have gathered in fair numbers.
Not sure what they made of Ken...
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03. June 2011
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A really sunny hot day - the first after a mostly wet and windy May.
B Marie settled on the beach at Iona pier.
Our friends, 'the sandbank people', and Shona and Gordon ready with
scrubbing brushes and paint.
In a day the boat gets a new coat of antifouling paint (the red stuff
on the bottom!) and white.
Thanks to Gordon and his new marvelous gas grill we gorge on sausages
and other goodies for lunch - just there on the jetty.
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Beginnig of May, 2011
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Getting closer: the main mast joining the mizzen, is another small milestone in
progress towards B Marie getting operational.
Many thanks to all our helpers.
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Early April 2011
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Mark is working flat out to prepare Birthe Marie (B Marie) for this years season.
There is still a bit to do and the long process of the licencing system to be negotiated.
Today, 02. April, we stepped the mizzen mast 'with a little help from our friends'.
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March 2011
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The bigger the boat, the more ballast you need.
Melting second hand lead to cast custom length ballast ingots.
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November 2010
The 'project' progresses... We hope to have B Marie operational for next season, so work is ongoing all winter.
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October 2010
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Freya inspecting 'Freya'...
October brought a few good days of sunshine... |
... and peacefull evenings. |
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Recovery. 22. October 2010. 7pm (pictures by Calum Philp)
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August 2010
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The Freya took time out from trips to be one of two Iona boats which crossed the ‘Passage’ to take part in the annual Tiree Regatta.
We were rewarded with a glorious day of sunshine accompanied by a brisk sailing breeze creating perfect sailing conditions. Isn’t Neil lovin’ it! |
Still August evening - MB Iolaire and Freya on their moorings. |
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July 2010
Not all trips are in sunshine! But many of our passengers have made the most of a rather showery July.
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Sailing well off the Burg cliffs.
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Local wedding; a romantic send off for Luke and Charlotte as they head off after their wedding ceilidh dance on Iona.
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April 2010
On a sunny evening in the middle of April 'Freya' is launched again into a new season.
The sea is busier now, with the Staffa boats commuting between the islands, Tom's fishing boat being back
in action, the zodiacs from the occasional cruise ship zooming about in the sound, and small boat owners getting ready for another summer.
We have even seen people swimming ...
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Winter 2009/2010
During the winter, work on ‘the project’ continued, Birthe Marie’s bulwarks were completed, protective steel work fitted, and progress on engine systems,
coachroof and deck fittings goes on; still a lot to do, but she is looking more like going concern now.
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October 2009
Washing and drying the sails, just part of the end of season laying up of the boat process.
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July - September 2009
A mixed year for us. The early part of the summer we experienced some great sunny weather and the Freya had many enjoyable trips with blue seas, and good sailing breezes.
During July Mark injured his back while working on the ‘Birthe Marie’ over in Bull hole. After some time off, just when we should have been at our busiest, he started back at work with the help
of some crew. Jane Griffiths who Mark had previously worked with at the Salmon bag net fishing, took some time out from diving and covering as relief lifeboat skipper to help with the more
manual tasks aboard. Dugald Wallace’s pre arranged spell as a helper conveniently took over from Jane as we moved into August bringing his youthful enthusiasm, spontaneous swims and cool shades.
Big thanks to both! And to RobRoyAus for kindly allowing the use of the above image.
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Highlights of the season included a day trip to Ulva where a seafood lunch was enjoyed in the sunshine with views to Ben More.
It was a trip that depended on having the right conditions - we got lucky!
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Also to the north, the lovely sheltered natural harbour, south Gometra, where we had a close encounter with a vocal otter.
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May and June 2009
With some good spells of weather Freya has made it out to
the Treshnish Isles for her first visit this year, gathering seabirds
were in full swing with the brightly coloured Puffins cheerfully lining their nests.
On a warm settled day we paid a visit to the quiet but facinating island of Inchkenneth,
steeped in different layers of history this pretty island has a few tales to tell.
Birthe Marie being engineless over the winter (while the Perkins was rebuilt) was long overdue for
a weekend on the beach at Iona getting a scub and renewal of her antifouling paint underneath.
The whole family knuckled to with scrubbing brushes to remove her weedy beard!
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April 2009
While 'Atlas Marine's' divers were finishing off their jobs on Iona pier, 'Freya' was launched into a
new season.
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January 2009
Happy new year!
During the winter Mark has been working on 'Birthe Marie', our protracted project boat.
Although working outside a lot of the time, jobs on the boat have progressed. We now have a water tight coach roof, and the focus is now
on bulwalk capping, meantime the engine is being rebuilt on the mainland.
Also trying to progress a job in wintery weather outside, 'atlas marine's' divers have been carrying out essential repairs to Iona main slip.
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28.09.2008
Freya was hauled out after another successful season. Spectacularily good weather in May was followed by a rather changable summer.
A wide variety of different groups and individuals traveled to locations old and new, with visits to Loch Tuath, North of Ulva, Inchkenneth, Lunga,
and Ardalanish Point. In season nesting puffins, basking sharks, Atlantic grey seal pups thrilled everybody aboard.
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August and September 2008
As the summer draws on, mixed weather failed to dampen our customers spirits.
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May 2008
It has been a month of sustained fantastic weather. While wee Freya was playing at the beach each day, big Freya has been working hard, taking out
old and new customers to quiet bays, heaving bird colonies, on fishing trips and beach picnics.
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11.05.2008
Although it doesn't happen every day - on this trip we had the bonus of a close encounter with a school of dolphins.
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March 2008
Some maintenance to woodwork and engine, and the usual sanding and painting of 'Freya' fill Mark's time plan this month.
We hope to launch her at the end of the first week in April, with trips begining the middle of the month.
(Although I shall omit the blurb about daffodils in bloom and tourists arriving and
birds singing ... it is happening, and it's great!!)
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January 2008
Happy new year!
2008 started with an exciting event: Mark and Anja's project boat B Marie finally reaches a level of fitness
where she can return to the water after two years of hard work ashore.
Although there is much to be done the charm of her Danish
fishing boat lines shines through.
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During a stormy second week this month Mark and a local crew made a break for it and delivered her round to Mull.
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End of July 2007
'Freya' anchored at Traigh Gheal makes a perfect backdrop for a beach picnic in the
sunshine, following a brisk sail there.
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21. July 2007
Midnight visit in Fionnphort
With a boat full of friends we attended the most westerly Scottish release of
'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows' at the Ferry Shop.
It was a truely magic night with the isle of Skye still visible 60 miles away in the twilight.
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03. May 2007
First 2007 visit to the Treshish Isles.
Puffins already there in force on Lunga.
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13. May 2007
Sail meets steam in the Sound of Iona. Paddle steamer 'Waverley', the last surviving seagoing
paddle steamer in the world, on her annual visit.
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09. April 2007
Just as I am writing this Mark is busy putting on masts and rigging.
'Freya' will be ready for trips from Wednesday, 18. April.
WELCOME TO ANOTHER SEASON!
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03. April 2007
At 3 in the afternoon Mark and friends were putting on the antifouling paint ...
4 hours later 'Freya' hit the water again (Freya watching).
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March 2007
Mark is busy sanding the seats of 'Freya' - we hope to launch her in the beginning of April to have
her ready for business in the middle of that month.
Meanwhile spring is really leaving it's marks: as usual (Mark says I mention them every year!)the daffodils are in full bloom, birds are singing, day light still
after 6 in the evenings, hotels and shops are opening, tourists are coming again from far...
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October 2006
On a sunny and warm day in the beginning of October Freya came out of the water.
She’s now all laid up for the winter – spars and ropes in our stairway, the life jacket box in our guest room, sails in the loft, the boat itself in its usual place on the lawn near the jetty.
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Another Season over
Here a few more pictures from happy days out during this past season. (from top left, anticlockwise: picnic a Eilean Annraidh,
Anchored at Eilean a Chalmain, Freyas first attempt to steer the boat, late summer trip around the island)
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A hot July and mayby a bit too much rain in August...
AUGUST 2006: We have been busy in the past months - succesful fishing trips, exciting sailing, picnics at
Balfours Bay/Erraid, two cyclists 'hitched a lift' to Gribun/Mull, Italian wildlife photographers taking
photos of puffins and shags on Lunga. Amazing sightings of basking sharks.
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Freya is born!!
On Sunday, 28.05.2006, at 0:08 am Freya Karin Hilde Jardine was born in Kirkcaldy hospital.
Of course Anja and Mark think she is the most beautiful baby in the world...
Trips as listed in the website will begin on Saturday, 10.06.2006. We hope you will join us soon for some glorious sailing under blue skies.
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Relaunch of Freya in 2006
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On a mild grey evening in the beginning of April Freya hit the water again.
Lots of people turned up to help and to watch.
Now she's bobbing on her mooring, waiting for the masts to go up.
Watch this space for more updates.
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IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR 2006
Tiger and Lily, last years baby kittens, have now grown into beautiful young cats.
Now we expect a new human in our midst - our baby is due on 20th May this year.
As we have to go off to the mainland for the birth a few weeks before, we decided to pospone
the official start of Freya's operating season to the end of May.
The boat will be very probably in the water sooner - so if you are around earlier and fancy a sail,
please phone us - Mark might be free to take you out.
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February 2006
A few beautiful days of sunshine and warmth - the daffodils are coming out, the birds sing in the trees and first
tourists visit the island. Freya is still in her winter berth but Mark has already completed this winter's
heavier maintanance tasks. Later in the spring he will carry out her annual painting.
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April 2005
Freya was relaunched for the summer on April 10.
Today, 14.04., the masts were stepped and trips will begin during the week commencing April, 18..
Come and join us for a sail!
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March 2005 - Spring
Spring really seems to have arrived here: daffodils blossoming, people getting their gardens ready for sowing - and Mark
has started getting 'Freya'ready for the new season.
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February 2005 - A busy month
In addition to usual winter work, including repairs to an old localy based dinghy...
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... Mark and Anja got married on Iona. There was a big celidh
with lots of friends and family celebrating with food, drink and dancing!
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January 2005 - After a stormy night
During a night of storm force winds, with very low pressure and a big spring tide the sea reached the highest level in maybe thirty years. The people of the island woke to a calm grey day,
assessing the areas near the shore where most of the damage was done: dry stone walls washed away by the sea,
the heavy steel clothes bank had moved a good 100 m from its original place, sea weed, sand and big stones littered
the lawns and roads, sewage pipes broken or lost, the shore road partly eaten away in places, the post office
was flooded, a dinghy had gone for a wee ride and landed safely on the Argyll Hotel lawn...
Soon people armed themselves with shovels, neighbors helping each other, Gordon coming down with his
digger, clearing away the huge rocks and 'mountains' of sand and gravel - people worked away and smiled,
relieved that nobody had got hurt.
'Freya' survived the night well - just heaps of sand, sea weed and litter around her trolley illustrated the fury of the storm.
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October 2004 - Freya ashore
After her busiest season to date Freya is now laid up for the winter. The moorings have been
lifted and the sails stowed away in the loft. This year the masts have found a new home for
the winter squeezing through a window in a nearby beach hut (instead of the Argyll Hotel which
is now open almost all year round).
Mark has a busy winter ahead with various building jobs, a dinghy renovation
and a large wedding celebration (to the lovely Anja).
Also over the winter there will be
some rolling programme maintanance on Freya. Come the spring, there will be a flurry of sanding
and painting ready to launch into another season.
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August 2004
Holiday island Iona. Ice creams, kids swimming in turquoise waters, a babbling of
all kinds of languages at the jetty.
Freya hosting all sorts of passengers: from a visiting artist in residence on Mull (in windy exciting
conditions)to toddlers, discovering the delights of Freyas hidden treasures.
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July 2004
Brilliant hot weather in May.
But since then a typical Hebridean mix of windy wet days and heavenly high summer sunshine.
Lots of happy family trips, a bithday party with amazing seafood catering, seals lazing in
the afternoon sun, some days even dophins or minke whales.
A good summer so far, really.
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01.June 2004
We are on the summer schedule now!
More trips each week.
What about Afternoon Tea on Freya? Eating fresh scones or fluffy cake
in a quiet anchorage while the sun warms your back?
Try it.
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19.04.2004
Freya is now up and running.
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07. April 2004:
With help from Ken, his tractor and willing local helpers Freya takes to her element.
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01. April 2004:
Mark is getting Freya ready for the new season.
If all goes alright she will be in the water with the first big tide in April.
Boat trips will recommence mid to late April.
Finalized start dates will be posted on this site soon.
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