The outlook was looking very windy - a good job we're heading for the Crinan
Canal soon! Anyway, the day broke bright and fair - and we made our way to
the Sound of Iona, and the dreaded Torran Rocks, at the SW corner of Mull in
bright sunshine. Summer Cruise to Scotland - Page 3
Monday 16 July 2001
The outlook was looking very windy - a good job we're heading for the Crinan
Canal soon! Anyway, the day broke bright and fair - and we made our way to
the Sound of Iona, and the dreaded Torran Rocks, at the SW corner of Mull in
bright sunshine.
Our passage then, east to the top of the Firth of Luing, passing the Garvellach Islands, Belnahua and down past Luing and Shuna to Craobh Haven (pronounced "Croove"). The forecast for tomorrow is grotty - but we should get into the Crinan Canal, where it shouldn't matter too much.
Approaching Craobh, we were astonished by the height of one mast in the Marina. It turned out to be "Valsheda" - one of the 3 surviving "J Class" yachts.
She was built in 1933, as 40 meters long, and her mast
is 52 meters high. She weighs 180 tonnes - and draws about 4.8 meters
draught. A beautiful classic yacht - which races all over the world.
A delight to see and touch her - but we're glad someone else pays....
Tuesday 17th
Up and off for 7:00am made sure we caught the last of the ebb tide south through the Dorus Mor - in fact the flood must have started early, but we pushed through and were in the Crinan Canal by 8:40am. It was already breezy, but apart from having to manage with a strong headwind - we made good progress through the canal, doubled up with Sunsail Charter yacht "Scorpii", for once manned by a competent crew!.
We arrived so early at Ardrishaig, that in spite of the force 6-7 east winds, we decided to leave the canal at 15:00 and make for East Loch Tarbert. We recorded winds 25-28 knots, but it got to 35 knots in the gusts, so was fast, wet sailing - at least it was warm and sunny. Waverley passed us in Loch Fyne, and was just leaving Tabert as we arrived.
We may have to wait out the forecast gale here - though we hope it moderates tomorrow afternoon so we can move down to Campbeltown.
Wednesday 18th July
Although the forecast was for high winds - it seems once again we were in the right place! Whilst gales lashed the South Irish Sea we enjoyed gentle sailing down from Tarbert through the Kilbrannan Sound to Campbeltown - and thus completing our circumnavigation of the City of Perth (and most of central Scotland!).
We arrived in Campbeltown at 4pm
once again in bright sunshine.
Thursday 19th July
Although there was virtually no wind when we left Campbeltown - nor indeed till we were just south of Sanda Island just near the Mull of Kintyre, we soon picked up a good North West force 4-5 - ideal for our passage down to Bangor, and since the seas were relatively low, this made one of the best "under sail" passages we've had for a very long time. Bright sunshine, and 20+ miles of fast broad-reach, then 10-15 miles on a dead run. It's difficult to take pictures of our sails from on the boat - but here we are "wing-a-wing" - with the sails out on opposite sides of the boat, the wind dead astern.
We arrived in Bangor at 18:45 - a celebrated with a trip to the Pizza Hut, where light work was made of two large deep-pans in quick succession! Friday is designated a rest day / clean-up and service the boat day - Saturday is a rest/walk day.
Sunday 22nd July
A
nice SW F3-4 promised for our crossing back to Ramsey - so a gentle sail
expected. The day started a bit overcast and drizzly, but picked up to a
sunny afternoon. Today is Spring Tide, so we expected a fast crossing -
and were not disappointed - we averaged over 9 knots over the ground for 2
hours, making a crossing time of just 7.5 hours!
Over the last 3 weeks we have logged 708 NM - add the tidal ones, and we've covered over 750 miles. We travelled all three navigable canals in Scotland - the Forth Clyde, Caledonian and Crinan Canals, and circumnavigated Central Scotland, and the Isle of Mull.
Ah well, back to work now....