Tossing cabers

The sun tried a little harder so after launching the RIB we pottered ashore. The waterfront was as colourful as ever:

We wandered into the harbour office and were amazed. Jim the moorings man was as friendly and helpful as he was obstructive and miserable when we were here a couple of years ago. He asked if we were off the the Mull highland games - didn't even know that we were here on the one day of the year that they take place! So, a walk / stagger up the steep hill to the golf course area and we joined the crowds enjoying some big guys chucking stones and telegraph poles around, running races, dancing competitions and, of course, a huge beer and whisky tent which you can see at the back of the photo:

The stone chucking guys were big and scary:

and perhaps a little bit balletic too? Impressive balance. The dancers managed some serious elevation and balance too:

and even landed nicely afterwards. As for the caber tossing..... Well, this guy sort of staggered forwards after managing to pick it up but not much more happened afterwards:

Still, he managed to pick it up which is better than 99.5% of the spectators would manage (captain most definitely included in that). This guy was more impressive, managing the full end over end thing with the caber:

For those of you with a broadband link, here is a video of how the current world champion does it:

The world champ, an English guy, was beaten into second place by an American. We guess that Nicola and her SNP clan are not amused about a national sport being taken over by outsiders. Another reason Nicola can cite for independence perhaps?

Luckily for her, the pipe bands were all local and pretty good too:

They brought the event to a close and we then wandered across the golf course area (probably not allowed) to get some great views down the Sound of Mull. Keen Nordhavn spotters with the ability to enlarge this picture on their screens might just spot us:

Not too crowded really. All in all an unexpected treat and great fun.