The Crinan Cana-al for me...?

sahona · Post by **sahona** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 11:23 am

Sen~ora Sahona doesn't particularly want to go round the MoK, and we stayed in the Clyde last year, so, to quote the worthies on the Vital Spark, it could be the Crinan Canal for us. Problem is, if I mind right, the Glasgow Fair weekend is when the great unwashed ( and worse - racers) go through. With the dreich, draughty, damp stuff still battering the hoose, we may leave it for a day or two. I'd be interested in hearing about places that combine a berth/mooring, dinghy storage/taxi, and (free) bus service to add to my list of : Oban, Arisaig..........

So we can leave the boat and get back for a day or two if need be. Things have changed since we were last out and about, I'm sure.

little boy blue · Post by **little boy blue** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 12:51 pm

seems to tick all your boxes, altho` not as far north as the others you mention plus the free bus ( if used sufficiently ) will lead to an over familliarity with lochgilphead

sahona · Post by **sahona** » Sat Jul 19, 2008 11:48 am

ta, LLB. - Lochgilphead doesn't scare me
yet.

claymore · Post by **claymore** » Sat Jul 19, 2008 6:58 pm

We came back through in early August last year and caught the hordes returning from West Highland Week which was a big mistake.

We only did so because of the strong headwinds forecast.
If you go through then Kilmelford is good and more reasonable to sit on a mooring than be paying to be tied up alongside a pontoon.

If that laggard Nick had half an ounce of decency about him you'd be on freebies at Balvicar but there's not much hope of that now that he has wussed out of his summer cruise

sahona · Post by **sahona** » Sun Jul 20, 2008 10:16 pm

Apparently someone's burst the Crinan end of the canal and it's shut for emenrgency repairs. Anyone know for how long?

aquaplane · Post by **aquaplane** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 1:04 pm

I just found this on the BBC News site: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scot ... 517277.stm

If it's an underwater concrete sill that's bust I wouldn't think it'll be a quick job to repair it. No doubt when they start looking there will be other stuff needs doing too.

lady_stormrider · Post by **lady_stormrider** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 9:40 pm

Aquaplane and I spent an extremely pleasant afternoon walking up to Lock 8, having a pub lunch (not as nice as my galley food) and helping two boats most of the way out. It seemed to me even back in June that quite a few of the lock gates were leaking somewhat. Ther is also a culture of knocking off at exactly 5 and forget whoever is stuck near loch 3.

Don't get me wrong - I'm a great believer in canals & links. After all, I do live 50 yards from the Millenium Link with the Ribble Piddler.

Post by **Nick** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 10:08 pm

Update from Ardrishaig, Monday evening

The word from the lock keepers is that the concrete sill under the outer gate(below sea level) has collapsed, this will be difficult to repair and will require specialist contractors. Todays guess is at least five weeks but I live on the canal bank and will update when the picture is clearer. At present all traffic is eastward as the boats trapped at Crinan including the local fishing boats head south down Loch Fyne and around the Mull of Kintyre. It seems unlikely that the Canal will be operational for West Highland Week.

Post by **Nick** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 2:49 pm

.
See the latest press release HERE

Post by **Nick** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 1:22 pm

.
Just spoke with someone based in Bellanoch and SW are now saying three weeks . . .

Booby Trapper · Post by **Booby Trapper** » Sat Jul 26, 2008 8:53 pm

Nick wrote:
Update from Ardrishaig, Monday evening

The word from the lock keepers is that the concrete sill under the outer gate(below sea level) has collapsed, this will be difficult to repair and will require specialist contractors. Todays guess is at least five weeks but I live on the canal bank and will update when the picture is clearer. At present all traffic is eastward as the boats trapped at Crinan including the local fishing boats head south down Loch Fyne and around the Mull of Kintyre. It seems unlikely that the Canal will be operational for West Highland Week.

Those specialist contractors will be along as soon as they have finished off Rothesay Harbour

sahona · Post by **sahona** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 12:20 pm

Oh! Ian. I'm told it will be open this weekend. We're still heading North, so it will be an option for our return if she can persuade me.
Warning !! we will be in the T'nT area soon.

Post by **Nick** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 12:25 pm

Warning !! we will be in the T'nT area soon.

Not sure you will manage with just the two of you - very tricky. Local observation suggests it takes at least three yachtmasters plus support to anchor a Claymore in Puilladobhoran . . .

sahona · Post by **sahona** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 12:28 pm

Was thinking of towing in using the rib and a stick for depth alarm. Or maybe just pick up a spare mooring in that place to the South, Bally- something. McVicar I think.

claymore · Post by **claymore** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 1:40 pm

You also need a load of pillocks sniggering, rolling their eyes to heaven and casting disparaging looks whilst you decide to relocate for the fourth time.
This gives you the ammunition for the hoos o' the troosers a little later when they become less brave.
Twats - now whit was that wee boat wi the Arab Dhow sail... began with a P and there was some red one it - ah yes I remember.

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The Crinan Cana-al for me...?

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