Episode #20, South bound in Scotland

 Episode #20, South bound in Scotland

The day we stayed on the boat in Tobermory, not only did the blog... Changed from water to wind for the generator.

Sorted the wind vane steering that had jimmied the bungy chord some how.

Then we had lots of entertainment from our fellow boaters.

The first rescue could not manage so a third to the rescue of the two.

 The boat to the left of the photo had been up in Stornoway when we were there. She had a very high free board, (Height from the water line) and so the windage alone from the boat dragged the mooring  into the fairway, not too many boats were moving at the peak of the wind so the harbour master who had come to check left them there. Doubt they slept well that night.

 

We are south bound having given up getting back to Canada this summer and we continue to work around the weather. Have we mentioned the weather! With this in mind and a poor forecast for the next day we have made the decision to go to the Crinan Canal as this will enable us to keep moving for two days that by any other route would have us harbour bound.  Guess who in the picture? Was even thinking about ski goggles at one point! (we have some on board for pelting rain)

06:25 Sunday we are away from the mooring, heading south down the sound of Mull via Oban as we need more diesel and are not sure if we can get any at the canal. Passing a fish farm

 Would be lovely view on a sunny day.

The wind was south west and so we could travel motor sailing between the islands was the plan. We had radar going and a reef in the main with the jib out when we could fly it. 

The ferries are great a avoiding pleasure craft.

 

A Norwegian boat.   

Made great time to Oban, had the two smaller ferries pass when, ugh!....the engine died right at the entrance. It was wet, foggy, cold and a head wind to get up the channel. All our racing in circles on Lake Ontario experience was drawn upon. About half the jib and the reefed main, six tacks and we were in....Had telephoned the marina on Kerrera Island requesting permission to sail onto their hammerhead pontoon which is also the fuel dock. The manager said he would have it clear but was driving the ferry so needed a bit of time. When we got to the marina the hammer heads were all full so we called again. The work boat was moved as we tacked back out into the harbour and furled the jib. (we were sufficiently up wind.) Noel landed us perfectly onto the pontoon and went directly to changing out the fuel filter.      

 The old filter.

On the hammer head.

Sea cadets on their first day of  a one week tour  tied up astern of us for fuel. 

 Noel got the engine running and we took on 90 liters, 60 in the deck jugs and 40 into the main tank. 

 Underway again 11:25 continuing south west now into a head wind but it was fairly light compared to the forecast for the next two days. 

The entrance to the Crinan Canal to the left of the white building/hotel.

 We were 45minutes too late for getting locked up into the sea port so we anchored for the night.

 Lovely peaceful night 

The tri had to become a catamaran in order to transit the system.

Wonderful views of salt flats. (looking aft)

This was looking forward. 

 Its 9 miles in length, and narrow so the passing of boats needs to be controlled by the lock keepers and bridge control team. They are not manned so as the boater you pay to use and then you work the locks themselves. We were between two commercial boats that were getting rushed through and we were with another boat that paid to have a "Pilot". When we were in Kerrera Marina this system was explained to us and it was recommended that we get a pilot since we were only two persons on board. 100 Sterling was the rate for a pilot. We quickly realized the advantage of staying between the two commercial boats and offered to pay half the fee with the skipper of the other boat "Mike". He was delighted and had arranged for the pilot in advance. Both boats fit well into the locks we were port side too and they went starboard. The pilot "Paul" and his other pilot friends did all the lock gates and bridges were open as we passed.

The tow paths were full of people walking and on bicycles with information plaques along the way. Very beautiful part of Scotland, yet still windy and wet. We saw smoke out of one chimney and Paul our Pilot said must be English tourists in residence. 

 We had the pilot so the other boats were told to wait for us to pass. A well spent 50 (not sure how to make the UK pound symbol).

 Long day, happy that we had sandwiches prepared. The was no stopping with the pilot.  

  

And we were through! Tied up at the seaport of Ardrishaig, ready to lock down in the morning. Mike and Elaine on our buddy boat opted to continue on and head for a marina about 10 miles away.

 We were tired and wary of making fatigue mistakes so opted to lock out the next day. 

15 locks, 7 bridges started wet and windy day ended with windy warm and sunny. 

This boat was from Poland and you can see the swing bridge behind them. Sitting inside enjoying a quiet time when we heard a splash and shouts Sally went on deck and all the noise was from kids jumping in the water, So no problem, parent supervision was in place, back to our dinner. 

 Locking out the next day.

Looks like we will be motoring as we head west.

 No rain jacket!

 Its almost warm.

 Stone wall fencing for the sheep. 

Lots of boats moving about.

Since the day was fine and we were able to sail for much of the day we decided to continue on past Tarbert to Campbelltown near the end of the Mull of Kintyre peninsula. This would make the crossing to Ireland possible the next day.  We had been looking forward to a meal at the Starfish, oh well, it will have to be another time.

The light at the entrance to Campbelltown. The last two hours of sailing was flat out at 7 knots, we should have reefed but we could see it would lighten up before we turned to enter the harbour. 

The entrance is big and wide and as we approached we could see a military or coast boarder patrol vessel was underway. They gave us five blasts on the horn! (they gave Sally the blasts I was otherwise engaged) Then called us by name on channel 16! With the handheld ready we responded advising we heard his signal and was unclear as to what was needed from us. We switched to a working channel and the operator advised he just wanted to confirm that we would pass port to port. Total over kill giving us the five blasts. Suspect my tone may have communicated this but when a "war ship" hails,  you oblige. "Affirmative, port to port". We did get a cheery wave as we were lowering the main sail. 

 Sea kayaks and gravel shoals.

Sanda Island beyond the shoals.

 We think they were in for fuel. Stacked up behind them are tree lengths. 

The harbour was full, (Kalinka 1 is in the middle of the photo) with the harbour master  still running about when we returned from a lovely dinner at the Ardshire Hotel that had an amazing selection of whiskey and locally produced gin + a great menu. It was tough choosing but we managed. 

Lets hope its as still when we go to leave.

Departing Campbelltown, underway 04:25

Looking south towards main land Scotland.

Its worth the lack of sleep to see this.(Guess who?)

Our friendly warship with Holy Island to the south of us. They could not have been in a rush nor did they have far to go! Five blasts was so unnecessary.  

Pockets of sun over Sanda Island and nasty weather on the north side of the Mull of Kintyre. This is some of what we avoided with going through the canal. 

 Changing over the curtesy flag as we leave Scotland heading to Northern Ireland. 

 Passing Sanda Island

Like to compare the charts with reality. My critique of electronic charts over paper is the lack of shore information. However this is totally out weighed by the constant relative position. This is like having our own dedicated navigator with us.

Looking north, the light house on Sanda Island.  

Hole in the clouds near Holy Island as we enter the North Chanel to the Irish Sea. 

 Bangor, to the wonderful welcome of Sean and Alice catching our lines and joining us for a cup of tea.  Arrived 12:15 after 46 NM motor boat run.

 

We got together again that evening,  Alice is a wonderful cook. We needed it to be an early night as the tide times dictated an early departure.

 

This seems like a good place to end this blog. Hope you will join us again as we continue with our summer travels. (Summer? more like early spring late fall)