### A GREAT WEEKEND

Midgies don't bite if they can't see your face!!

Another month and another DX-epedition. This time to Eilean Nan Ron, Rabbit and Neave. Derek - GM0HLV - obtained permission for us to visit these islands and he organised the boat - Derek calls it a ferry but it is a small boat!!

Radio equipment organised, tents and food organised, petrol in car and off we go. Achfary first which is a four hour drive from Aberdeen pick up Derek and off the three of us go to Eilean Nan Ron.

Twenty minutes to get the boat loaded with all the equipment, twenty minutes to get to the island and then the hard slog begins taking everything up the very, VERY, steep steps. The generator was too heavy so we left it at the bottom. Ian - MM1BOK my OM - and Derek erected the mast and the G5RV. I put the tent up to make sure we had somewhere dry to shelter should it rain. I also set up the radio equipment and the operation was ready to begin. Pencil ready, logbook at elbow and microphone in hand.

CQ CQ CQ _ _ _ _ . Three hours later I finally handed the microphone over to Derek. Feeling very stiff, very tired I went to bed and slept like a log. You will be glad to hear we had no visits from ghoulies or ghosts or long legged beasties.

Eilean Nan Ron has been uninhabited since the 1930's but has a very eerie atmosphere. There are about ten houses, four of which are still intact, but no life, just goats and sheep.

Derek operated until 1.30 a.m. and started again at 6.45 a.m. 230 qso's in all made on Eilean Nan Ron and then it was time to pack up to go to Rabbit. Going down those steps was something else!! I had to sit on my bum to come down part of the way as they were virtually sheer with a drop of 30 - 40 ft of rock. I was glad of the extra padding. Hi Hi.

On to the boat and off to Rabbit.

The equipment loaded and we were off. 15 - 20 minutes into the journey just as we were approaching Eilean Nan Ron the sea became very rough. The waves were about 6 ft high and I was terrified, not sick, just terrified. All I could see were massive waves tumbling towards us and us in a wee small boat. VERY SCARY. What was normally a 30 - 40 minute journey took us 1 hour 30 minutes. I was in total shock when we reached Neave. We had to jump off the boat onto the beach as there was a swell and the boat would have grounded if it came any closer. Equipment thrown - radio's passed, of course - on to the beach and time to get set up again. Absolutely shattered and not wanting to operate I was encouraged by my team mates to have a go. CQ CQ CQ _ _ _. What a brilliant suprise that all those voices came shouting back. I must say excellent way to over come a trauma, work a pile up!!! 125 qso's in one hour and I was exhausted and slept like a log.

It is rumored that in the 1800's there was a monastery on Neave and the monks stood on the hill and preached to people on the mainland. Nowadays you can still see the monks wondering around - or so it is said, but they never bothered us.

Next morning we all rose at 5.45 and Derek worked on 20m through to 8.50. I finished up on 80m while the boys were putting away the equipment. 215 qso's later it was time to leave and head for home.

The wx stayed warm and sunny for us all weekend. The scenery was fantastic and the company I shared on and off the radio was the best I could have hoped for.

I would like to finish saying thank you for all the encouragement and support I have had from all the chasers who have followed us from island to island and of course to Ian and the girls and Derek.

Until the next island

73's and 88's

Lorraine MM0BCR

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