Time to contemplate

After a self reflective day yesterday filled with meditation pottering and odd jobs, I was excited to take the train to Mallaig this morning.

The journey was spectacular and Mallaig itself is interesting for a couple of hours visit.

We crossed the viaduct that was apparently used in the HarryPotter films and travelled along several lochs whose names I have forgotten.

On my return I was pleased to see that I have new neighbours. TS Royalist is the trainingship for Sea Cadets and Maybe which was built in 1929 has sailed round the world several times and was once owned by the man who designed the Flying Dutchman racing dinghy

I am excited to say that my new crew mate Tonny is currently on a train from Glasgow so I look forward to leaving Banavie tomorrow morning bright and early.

I think my new friend the lock keeper will be glad to see the back of me as well!!

A picture of the boat in Banavie with Ben Nevis in the background

All change at Banavie

Saturday is changeover day at Banavie.

This morning we waved off my friend Mike on his marathon 15 hour journey back to London on the train and this afternoon said farewell to Megan as she boarded the coach, ready and eager to face the challenge of an overnight stint on what used to be called National Express

Tonny, my new crewmate isn’t due to arrive for a couple of days so I am busying myself with a few domestic tasks and general tidying

.... there doesn’t seem to be any noticeable improvement in the boat’s appearance just yet, but at least it got some admiring comments from an American tourist who was passing by, so it can’t be all bad!!

Here is a picture of Neptune’s Staircase which will be our next challenge on Tuesday morning

The end of the canal

The crew are all sad at coming to the end of our journey through the Caledonian Canal but excited to think of a return to work next week.

It has been scorching again today and my friend Mike was surprised to see snow on the top of Ben Nevis despite the temperature on the canal ....24 degrees!After a pleasant trip we were happy to moor in Banavie at the top of Jacobs Staircase, which is a set of locks that will take us back down to the sea.Sadly Mike and Megan leave tomorrow after a great week of discussion, conversation and fun . I am most grateful for their help in moving the boat so far forward without major hassle.

I look forward to welcoming my friend Tonny to the crew on Monday night when we hope to set sail again towards the Westetn Isles

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!!

In search of Nessie

This is my second attempt at publishing  a blog tonight!!!!

After a leisurely breakfast the crew were delighted to secure an early entry to the locks that enabled us to get into Loch Ness at a reasonable time 

During a morning of chugging along we maintained s vigilant lookout for Nessie.

In this respect we were pleased to receive help from our latest crew member 

Sadly we were unsuccessful in our endeavours to see the monster , so were consoled by our arrival at Urqhart Castle. We dropped the anchor and rowed ashore to visit what is a Castle in spectacular surroundings but sadly which lacks a spark of historical romanticism 

At least we could admire Calismarde from the ramparts

Tonight we are tied up at the bottom end of Loch Ness reflecting on what had been a most enjoyable day.

Calm in the Caledonian Canal

After two full days, the crew were glad to have the opportunity of spending a relaxed day settling down before the tense excitement of possibly seeing Nessie

After a leisurely start we entered the canal and immediately became aware of a different Karma influencing the boat.We visited Inverness and enjoyed a trip round the most excellent museum and art gallery. As a consequence Megan has now become our local expert on the life of Mary Queen of Scots and my friend Mike has become a connoiseur of Inverness contemporary art

It is an honour to be sharing a boat with two intellectuals.

I have cleaned the binoculars and readied them for a sighting of Nessie tomorrow. In the meantime, I have purchased a replica to make sure that any sighting is correctly verified