Crinan Canal to Ardrossan

Hi everyone,
On Thursday evening last week we trained north to Glasgow and on Friday morning we coached and taxied to the western end of the Crinan Canal.  There we met Anne and Graham who had been sailing Zen Again for the month since we left her in Oban.  As their track below shows, they got around...

Anne & Graham's Scottish Adventure on Zen Again

We joined Anne and Graham above the Crinan sea lock mid-afternoon.  From there we motored through the western part of the canal with Anne and Graham working the locks while Nicki and I crewed the boat.  It was a bright sunny day with no wind.  It was spectacular motoring along the canal which is much narrower than the Caledonian Canal.

Zen Again above Crinan Sea Lock

Going Up!

Along the canal in dead calm under a sunny sky

We could only get as far as Dunadry Lock since the locks are disabled at 1700 each day.  We secured Zen Again and then walked with Anne, Graham and all their gear to their hotel at Cairnbaan where we had dinner with them.

Zen Again lying above Dunardry Lock 

Dead Calm

On Saturday we were on our own.  Happily the wonderful weather continued and we were assisted through some of the locks by staff.  At others Nicki worked the locks while I single-handed Zen Again in and out of the locks and handled the lines aboard.

Entering another lock

Between locks

Entering Ardrishaig sea lock

We arrived at the eastern sea lock at 1330 and Zen Again was back into sea water by 1400.  Sadly there was only a light breeze and it was blowing directly up Loch Fyne, so we motor-sailed down the loch.  Over time the wind died entirely and the sea glassed out.

It was a long warm motor to Clyde Marina.  Warm enough to expose skin to the sun and acquire just a little sun burn.  Beautiful!  The scenery was great too and there were lots of yachts on the water.

We arrived at Clyde Marina (in Ardrossan) at 2000 after a 6 hour motor.  Twas good to accomplish our mission for the weekend but disappointing not to have had an opportunity to sail.  Here's our track for the weekend.

Zen Again Track

On Sunday morning we tidied up the boat and gave the engine a treat.  She got new oil, oil filter, fuel filters, impeller and V-belt.  The engine is approaching 1000 hours since installation new in Langkawi in November 2013 (see here).

Berthed at Clyde Marina

On Sunday afternoon we left Zen Again in her temporary new home.  We hope to move her further south soon.