We stayed in Kerrera for five more days waiting to see if the weather was going to be suitable for returning round the Mull of Kintyre. Alas! It was not to be. The wind was against us again, we could have beat down but it was also forecast to be a bit wild so the Crinan Canal won the day yet again.
Had a good sail to the canal, in fact probably one of the nicest sails of the trip so far. As we got into the canal, Andy and Brenda were just coming in at our back so off we went to Bellanoch Basin again to pinch a pontoon. Ssshh! This time it was ok, we kind of had Andy’s permission as he invited us to dinner on his boat. Well, I call that permission ??? We had a lovely night and I just managed to pull Gordon back to Camira before he and Andy could do too much damage to the line of malts on the table.
We set off through the canal the next morning with a pilot to help us with the gates at the locks. We hardly got going before…………….yes, wait for it………………the engine gave up the ghost again. Some of the lock keepers towed us into a basin to tie up and decide what our strategy was going to be. Our first thought was to call Andy and perhaps see if he could tow us through, but it wasn’t fair to ask him as Brenda and him were driving back down south that morning. Andy being Andy offered his help.
As a last ditch resort, Gordon tried to turn the engine over again and lo and behold it sprung into life. Let me tell you, that was one nervous transit through to Ardrishaig.
We went along to one of the local pubs for dinner that night which was not too bad other than the waitress serving us. She was only young and when I asked her for the wine list she told me they didn’t have one so on asking what wine they did have she said they had “Some red stuff in a bottle and some white stuff (hopefully that was in a bottle as well) and some others as well” I decided on the red stuff just to be safe. I think she was maybe filling in for someone that night. Aye! That’s Ardrishaig for you We found it hysterical but a rather grumpy pair made her life a misery.
We spent one last night in the canal then headed back to Largs the next day. I must admit in some ways it was nice to be back in the Clyde where so many things are familiar and the sailing seemed so much easier because you kind of know where you are and what to expect. On the other hand, it also marked the end of our trip which was quite sad.
Largs Yacht Haven in sight
Fifty days on Camira, who would have thought it?
