Hmmm...

It all looks easy (ish) until you start looking at the detail.  The big pic was taken from the shore with a long lens (Nikon 300mm).  MV Isle of Mull can just be seen bearing WNW for Craignure whilst MV Eigg takes a NNW turn for Achnacroish on Lismore.  Good stern detail here.  The pic was taken off the Corran Esplanade in Oban.

The LH pic shows Island Class Raasay alongside MV Eigg of the same class, you can clearly see the join of the raised wheelhouse.  I hope you've noticed my new nautical vocabulary being slipped into the Blip.

I have plans aplenty, even got photos of the ship's plan in the passenger compartment but they're a bit shy on the detail, just enough to get you off safely if it sinks.  

We took a ride on MV Eigg when I heard that it was due to be withdrawn in the winter of 2013.  The day was fair and the sea fairly calm but as we went through the narrows and reached the far side of Maiden Island the weather changed and the sea became rougher, much rougher.  I wasn't scared but it wasn't a pleasant experience being bashed up and down in the spartan passenger bay at the rear of the ship (boat).  The only other passengers, two locals from Lismore who'd been doing a bit of Friday shopping weren't in the least bit concerned.  The extra shot shows the Scottish mainland disappearing and no other land visible.  Yes I'm a wuss.

Both ships lasted another couple of years in service.  The last time I saw Raasay she was tripping from Tobermory to Kilchoan on the Ardnamurchan peninsula.

Anyway, today's Blip shows the procedure for checking out the finer detail so that I can draw it onto 20 thou plastic sheet.  Now the fun starts...


BTW, if you're are curious as to the difference in heights of the wheelhouses it's because the Lismore route carries a lot of livestock lorries and the Captain needs to see over the roofs of them.