Calm Canal

Yesterday's blog wasn't completed until 2330 and we had an early start this morning ... and now it's 2000 already.  Where does all the time go?  So it's short and sweet tonight.

Flat calm - not hot

Today was a 30 mile motor in flat calm up Loch Linnhe, through two narrow, shallow places watching the chart plotter carefully.  We passed Ben Nevis - well, it looms for a long time, and looms still.  We passed Fort William.  We are now in the beginning of the Caledonian Canal - we came through the sea lock into the 'basin', and are moored against the wall using our fender cloth and fender boards to protect our beautiful boat.

Ben Nevis does loom

Tim & Alison are "shaking down" nicely, getting a feel for the boat, having turns on the helm, and even throwing a rope or two at the friendly lock-keepers who help boats through the locks.  It's just a pity there was no wind at all for them to experience how SIRENA IV sails.

There's no self-service on this canal, the gates are all hydraulically operated by the Keepers.  We walked along the towpath this evening to see Neptune's Staircase, a set of 9 consecutive lock gates that take us a hillside tomorrow morning.  A large Norwegian yacht passed us earlier, and a large German yacht has joined in the basin tonight - it's very international.