DAY TWELVE - LAMLASH TO TARBERT

Morning light over the bay at Lamlash

The first job for the day this morning was never meant to run smoothly.  Despite the best efforts of the wonderful harbour master at Lamlash, Jim, to help get us refuelled, the cunning plan to arrive in Jim's truck at the petrol station at opening hour this morning was thwarted when the whole of the island of Arran lost power just as they were about to operate the petrol pumps!  This added an hours delay to our departure time, and made it impossible for us to get to the beginning of the Crinan Canal in time to get through the canal by the end of the day.  In addition, we had to load the boats from the quay, including the fuel, which was lowered by rope to the boats below, all in all a time consuming procedure.

Anthony passes fuel down to David onboard  ConTTentment

The Crinan Canal was constructed during 1793-1891, with further improvements being made in 1816 and again in 1930 and 1932.  It consists of over 15 locks and 7 opening bridges, and with a speed limit of just 4 knots, can take the best part of a day to travel, despite the fact that it is just 9 miles long.  "Plan B" was quickly put into action, and as we had woken to a beautiful sunrise over the tranquil bay, it was decided to make the most of the good weather and use the day to explore the Clyde.

Arran from the sea

We set off for the island of Bute, where we were able to see the beautiful family home of David's grandmother, Mount Stuart, from the sea.

Mount Stuart

We were all enjoying the more leisurely pace, and stopped into Port Ballantyne for a bracing drink before heading up the east side of Bute and on towards our final destination of Tarbert, a charming fishing village with a history of herring fishing going back to the 17th century. 

Port Ballantyne

Sadly on arriving at Tarbert and speaking with the harbour master, we discovered that petrol was not available here and after depositing me on the quay side to go and source a hotel for the night, the boats crossed over to Portvadarie Marina, and were astounded at the facilities offered by this very 21st century worldclass marina, right in depths of the Firth of Clyde.

The Crinan Canal awaits tomorrow, and from Tarbert we are ideally placed to arrive at the start of the canal in good time.  A lovely hotel awaits at the end of the canal, which I am sure will help to entice us on, especially as the forecast for tomorrow is heavy rain!