More Crinan Canal

[marisca]

Went through on 15th May. We weren't allowed into the sea lock until 12.00 for water saving but then the gates would neither close nor open without the ministrations of feet sticking out the hydraulic cabinets. We (there were two boats) were advised that the upper reach or possibly the Dunardry basin beside the showers/toilets was our limit for the day. By the Cairnbaan Bridge we were told that Crinan Basin and possibly out to sea was the aim. We arrived in the Crinan Basin after 18.30(!) to find it was not for our welfare that overtime was worked but to get us out of the way of a heavily loaded Scottish Canal barge - lots of 1 ton sacks of something. We were thrown out at 08.30 the next day - the tide went good through Big Doris about midday - so we anchored and dragged (despite a Knox), eventually pulling up a prodigious amount of weed. We knew we were dragging 'cos we lost the wifi signal from the hotel.
Basically a slightly sub 6 hour passage with staff at every lock.

[Gardenshed]

returned from Scottish Series Tarbert to Craobh via the Canal
Left Tarbert 07:00 and tied up in Craobh at 19:33
Waited at the sealock for the tide to rise and then it was basically a non stop passage until Crinan.
Staff at all locks and gates, only 2 locks worth of boats passing and good coordination from end to end. I was in company with a boat that had a pilot and some friends on the bank to take ropes and prepare locks so despite being singlehanded, an extremely smooth trip.
Out and into Big Dorus who was reluctant to allow us through, but we managed
Thought I'd be a day later!
Canal isn't perfect but there appears to be a genuine attempt to make it work