Weather disrupts the ferry

Last night we stayed at a B and B in Oban that overlooks the ferry port and it was obvious this morning that the 8.am ferry was going nowhere, nor the 10.00. During the night the wind was blowing a gale and it wasn't a surprise that all had come to a halt. We had previously booked the 12.00 ferry - The Isle of Mull - and after a meander around Tesco's arrived at the port to find the vessel was preparing to sail on time at 12. The lower deck where the vehicles are parked was cramped and almost impossible to get out of the car - obligatory - and impossible to get back in via the front door, luckily J and I could scramble in through the back sliding door and climb over into the front, they must have known we are nifty 60 something's. It would appear the stringent calmac Hand S rules don't always apply. It's the weather you know..... We had a reasonable crossing although the pilot announced that due to a partially blocked road in the south of the island the local bus service was cancelled. A problem for passengers heading from the ferry towards Iona. The weather had another go at us and upon arrival at Craignure , 'parking' the vessel was a problem, a squall was hurtling down the Sound of Mull and the pilot warned us to sit down, he couldn't dock in the normal way. Great excitement all around with the left hand windows taken up with little faces - all standing - looking out to watch the slow process of edging around the end of the pier and into the Isle of Mull berth. Yes, we are home. It wild, wet and windy and HOME.