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So another month has gone by, and some of us could be found in the Pier House in Port Appin. When I arrived, the place was hoaching! There was easily 80 folk there - more if you count folk who were through by for dinner.

It didn't feel as though a month had gone by since the last one, but as someone pointed out, that was because I'd b*ggered off for a fortnight's holiday in Canada. Okay point taken.

Poor Jeff behind the bar was a bit trockled. At one point Katy and I even offered to wash the glasses for him as he was running out. These folk that don't drink out of bottles....

We found most of us found ourselves on the first ferry run (how DID that happen), but on arrival at Point, it was decided that party would continue down at Achnacroish. Tony & Karen left around midnight I think, as Tony had an early ferry the next morning. Sean left as he had to be out fishing in a few hours. Ali - well where did Ali go? Ali decided to walk home and make herself a cup of tea.

For Bec, family friend from Australia, it was a bizarre but enjoyable night...

Beth Campbell & Tony McLarney have put up the posters advertising the forthcoming Chinese Food night.

A few months ago, Beth and Tony hosted an Indian Food night to raise funds for the Youth Club. The night was so successful, and they were so "happy" after all their cooking on the night, that they agreed to do another one.

Tickets are now on sale, and as Beth says, "Don't assume you have one. There's a strict number being sold, and if you don't have a ticket you don't get in".

You've been warned...

I can't believe I haven't blogged this already!

At the end of August Andy undertook the first of three swims for The Anthony Nolan Trust. So what, you might say – especially if you haven’t been in the pub… This first swim was over 42kms – that’s further than swimming the English Channel, and was round the Island of Lismore.

Andy entered the water at Point at 6am on Monday 30 August 2004. He had hoped to swim over the weekend, but the high winds and rough seas meant he had to wait until the weather improved. Andy cleared Point on Lismore, but while swimming down Loch Linnhe had a rough time of it going down the back of the island. The winds, which had dropped from the gales at the weekend, picked up and caused several miles of swells, which just broke over Andy's body. This caused Andy to take in a bit of salt water, which in turn made him throw up a few times.

However it didn't make him want to quit, and he continued his swim, getting round through the Rip at the Lighthouse (Duart Point) at the South end of the island by 12.10!
The swim up the Lynn of Lorne (the front of the island) was much gentler, as the island provided shelter from the winds. He experienced a negative tide going through the Kilcheran islands, which meant him swimming back and going outside them.
Dave, on the support boat reckoned that Andy would be getting back to Point around 6pm.

This news was passed round the island, however, due to good swimming and a good tide, Andy touched back at Point at 5pm. Meaning he only took 11 hours to go round the island.

On exiting the water, Andy promised he'd never swim round Lismore again, but was looking forward to next year's challenge.

For information on how to donate, head to the Isle of Lismore website and click on Island News!

Ö÷²¥´óÐã Radio 3 are supporting the "Musicians on Call". I've blogged what they have on their site, but basically its a chance to have orchestral musicians come to your home/hall/local shop/ferry to play some orchestral music free of charge!

Call 0800 033 033

If you're unable to attend the 'Listen Up' concerts and events due to illness or inability to visit the concert venues, let the musicians come to you, and celebrate your birthday, wedding Anniversary, party or event.

We have 'musicians on call' - soloists, duos trios and quartets - ready to play in your living room, local supermarket, school, street market.... between the 10am and 5pm.

Just phone 0800 033 033 between 23 - 27 September 2004 and register your request.