Storm bound. Craighouse, Isle of Jura

Back to school!
Today was brought to you by the letter R (for rubbish weather), and the number 0 (for zero sightings and miles covered, which kind of explains it). The Silurian remained anchored off Craighouse, within sight and smell of the distillery, as high winds and a rough sea stopped play.

The day kicked off with an ID lesson on birds and boats (an exceedingly indulgent hour for Matt….bird sounds galore!), before the team swung into full Blue Peter mode for the Great Silurian 2013 Art Competition. We each chose a word which was then put into a hat. Later we all re-picked one of those words to assorted groans as we all wondered how on earth we are going to try and create a masterpiece based upon that word…

A shore trip followed, particularly valued by those team members who were slightly greener than normal – one volunteer fell to her knees, gave thanks and kissed the concrete (Yes that was me!!). Various pottering around Jura ensued, and our first shark sighted (sadly a dead dogfish munched by an otter).

Back in the classroom, we gave presentations on our chosen whales and dolphins, before Anja and Kerry demonstrated their universal knowledge of all things cetacean with a run through all the other species in the world (almost). A brief break in nacho-scoffing was taken to admire a splendid sea eagle cruising over the bay, but food and cards filled most of the early evening.

The pressing business of dinner (part 1) dealt with, the team presented their creations for the Art Competition. The standard of artworks was unbelievably high, with models, stories, paintings, drawings, poems and a stylish teapot named Rosie all making an appearance. Flushed with success, we fell on dinner (part 2), a delicious blackberry and apple crumble with brambles picked fresh from the Jura shore. All in all, a day low on cetaceans but high on fun.