Sunday 27 June 2010 Banavie Basin, Caledonian Canal N56 50.899’ W005 05.451’

After William left, Alcyone departed Corpack Basin to climb the eight locks of Neptune’s Staircase. The locks of the staircase are continuous where the upstream gate of one lock is the downstream gate of the next. Having started one has to continue. The staircase is a significant tourist attraction with a huge range of languages heard - and many photographs and yards of video of Alcyone taken. One tourist was asked if he paid royalties for the photographs but it would seem the answer is 'No'.

The weather was wet and windy and hence having got to the basin, we decided to put up the cockpit tent and retire for a well earned rest. The rain hammered down on the deck and intermittently the wind screeched in the rigging.