Calm as a Millpond

It’s the first day of September.
And what a start it is to the month.
The air is still and the sea is flat calm.

The view across the Passage of Tiree is clear.
Tweet-Five miles across the millpond is the Isle of Mull.
Half way across is the distinctive shape of Bac Mòr – the Dutchman’s Cap.

The sky above is cloudy.
Yet it is the clouds that enhance the scene.
The same clouds are reflected in the calm waters of the bay.

The MV Clansman framed by the linkspan and associated dolphins

There is hardly a breath of wind.
It feels warm and definitely humid.
Consequently the pier’s weather sock hangs limp.
Tiree is not plagued by ‘midges’ but they were biting this morning.

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The clear water around the piles

Reflecting on still waters

The pier and its reflection

It being a Summer Friday the ferry arrives earlier.
It leaves the Mainland port of Oban at 6:15am.
Sailing direct to Tiree it arrives at 9:35am.
Its arrival was spot on.

In the calm waters of the bay the Clansman prepares to berth

It almost feels surreal.
The air is still and the water so calm.
Unusually the ferry hardly disturbs the water.
If this is September weather long let it continue.

The colours enhanced by the sun breaking through the clouds

It does not take long for the vehicles to roll off and on to the island.
It is a different matter loading the vehicles on to the ferry.
It takes longer to maximise the use of the car deck.
On board are still vehicles for the Isle of Coll.

The ferry secured and ready for sailing a member of the pier staff waits to release the bow ropes

The foot passengers are long since on board.
It being a warm morning many passengers are out on deck.
Finally the vessel is secured and made ready to head out to sea.
The ropes (stern, midship and bow) are cast and the ferry departs the pier.