Monday 21 June 2010 Crinan Basin N560 05’ W0050 33.38’

Alcyone traversed the Crinan Canal. Not quite the full length but from Oakfield Bridge to the Crinan Basin with all but the first 3 locks to operate. No other boats were due when we set out and hence we went through the locks on our own. However, two boats, one of which was Milly Brown, caught us up but we were told that the three boats would not fit in the locks together and therefore we must proceed on our own. With just two onboard it required a system to go ahead and open the lock, take the warps, close gates and operate the lock and finally to close the gates as Alcyone left; no problems were experienced operating the locks singlehanded. William certainly earned his lunchtime beer! He did finally say it was good fun.

The Crinan Canal is certainly picturesque. It was constructed over an 8 year period from 1793 to 1801, with improvements in 1816 and again in 1930 to 1932 when larger sea locks were built. Presumably it was planned to improve communications with the western islands from Glasgow and would have been used by the coastal sailing vessels of the time being presumably pulled through the canal. The engineering of the canal is impressive – at least one of the locks was clearly cut out of rock. One structure that caught the eye was a bridge that was retracted on its own little rail track wound in by a hand operated worm drive; as Alcyone came through, a girl member of the waterways staff wound it in taking her male colleague for a short ride! And finally there was a very pretty descent into the Crinan Basin at the western sea lock.

Alcyone acquired a significant amount of sludge on her topside from the fenders as the rubbed up the lock walls. Hull polishing and cleaning is required as the hose at the Crinan Basin would not remove all of the staining.

Alcyone was berthed in the Crinan Basin for the night behind an old Clyde puffer that has been preserved and used for tourist trips. The cruise reading on Alcyone includes the stories of Para Handy by Neil Munro and it was fascinating to see a puffer.

It was somewhat odd navigating a fairly typical inland waterway in an offshore yacht. But very enjoyable.

Don Howard of Wild Call, the first of the new generation of Contessa 32 built by Jeremy Rogers, came on board for a beer. Regrettably the planned meet up as we sailed north next day did not happen.

The day ended with a magnificent sunset and shower at the local boatyard with suitable shower fittings. A wonderful day.