Crinan

I woke up at dawn and only had bits and pieces of sleep after that.
I eventually dragged myself out of my berth at 08.30 and left the mooring at 09.00 having decided to have breakfast on the way.

I was hoping to get to Crinan Harbour today. The sun was out and there was a nice breeze but unfortunally it was from the north east right on the nose.

There was a small cruise ship anchored off Gigha visiting the island.
As soon as I was out of the bay, I hoisted the main but due to the wind I had to round the north of Gigha before I could unfurl the genny and turn off the engine. Then I was able to take a more northerly course towards Jura.
I had a lovely sail but knew I'd have to tack as I was on a course for the Carrs Rocks off Lough Sween on the mainland and would run out of room.

The wind was steadily increasing as it funnelled down the Sound of Jura and later I had to put a reef in the main. I was waiting till I was ready to tack before reefing the genny. When I did I found I couldn't get it to set properly so decided to furl it completely but then the furling line came off, luckily when the sail was already fully furled.

I continued under main with the engine. Wind was against tide and the strong currents moved the boat around as we continued north. It felt like I was back in East Ferry on the flood tide.
I motored the last 10 miles to Crinan with the main giving an extra knot and with 1.5 to 2 knots of tide under me. I was flying along going about 8 knots over ground twice the speed I'd be going if I was going in the opposite direction.
You definitely have to get the tides right here in Scotland.

When I entered Loch Crinan I motored up to see the lock gates into the canal. The canal is a short cut across the top of the Mull of Kintyre into the Clyde.
There was a Sadler 32 or 34 anchored off but it was too shallow for me so I returned to the boatyard to pick up one of their visitor moorings and was moored up at 15.10.

I had to tidy the saloon as some books etc. had fallen on the deck thanks to the wind on the way here. Then I fixed, or thought I had, the furling line.

My belly was complaining so a sandwich and a coffee was next on the agenda before launching the dinghy, attaching the outboard and going ashore at the jetty.

Next-door was the boatyard and they were restoring 'Auld Reekie' one of the last if not the last steam puffer that used to provide the delivery service around the coast of Scotland.
They had flat bottoms and would often beach themselves before unloading so could get in almost anywhere.
Also in the sheds were some lovely classic wooden yachts.

I walked the sort distance to the entrance of the canal and watched as three yachts entered the basin and then went past the next lock into the canal proper. Hopefully I'll do it sometime and had been trying to pick up some tips. The main one is not to do it solo!

I followed the tow path along the canal for 3 or 4 kilometres before returning to the only pub in the place and having a pint before heading back to Eureka.

On the way I paused to have a look at the yachts in the yard. The foreman saw me looking, and invited me to come in and have a look around. They were finished work for the day so I had the place to myself as I admired the curves of these lovely ladies and took a few photos.

I headed out to Eureka, had my dinner and sat enjoying calm and sunny evening and the piece and quite as I finished another book.Read more