Thursday, 28 June 2018

Caledonian good fortune for Calismarde

There was much tension in Fort Douglas this morning. Yesterday the swing bridge which opens to enable boats to enter the 5 locks going up hill  to Loch Oich got stuck because of the heat.
Would the bridge work?? and would we make the cut  and be chosen to be one of the lucky boats  to be in the first tranche???
YES.....!!! 
We packed the lock and were placed behind a very expensive Swedish Yacht . Thankfully we did not cause any damage either to the yacht or our pride. Indeed the crew did a magnificent job in managing the boat in a very 
difficult environment.We heard later that the bridge was closed after we left and no boats can now escape from Fort Douglas.....How lucky was that!!



After a few more bridges and locks we entered Loch Oich in sizzling temperatures so were pleased to seize  the opportunity of having a swim off the boat.
This picture shows my friend Mike cooling off

Loch Linnie is a most spectacular place with beautiful views and a wonderful atmosphere of calm


By 4.30 the crew were keen to tie up and we were pleased to settle down on a pontoon near the locks st the top end of Loch Lochy.
After a plenary session in the pub nearby, which is housed in an old Dutch barge, the crew enjoyed Chilli con Carne aboard, along with a couple of glasses of  Linie Aqua Vit

Can tomorrow trump this?
Only time will tell!!

1 comment:

  1. Only once in many years of cruising the west coast has it been warm enough to swim off the boat! 199? Lough Sunart.

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