Wind, Rain and Coffee Catastrophe


If I mention the weather quite a lot, it’s because we small boats are very beholden to the god of wind.  Strong winds are not much of a problem in themselves (we have a man who puts in reefs as required) but it’s the nasty big waves that affect us most, flinging us about the place.

The boat is designed for waves, so doesn’t mind them at all.  It’s the crew that have to hang on, braced against the movement, especially in the galley and heads!

Round here, we are surrounded by land in all directions, so the fetch tends to be limited and there are not the open ocean waves and swells that can get really large.  Those will return later in our travels, between the islands of the Hebrides and further north.

So there was not much excuse for my mistake, as we ran north under genoa alone, from Tarbert to Ardrishaig at the entrance to the Crinan Canal.  The boat was rolling downwind but in quite a gentle way.  The coffee was brewing on the top of the gimballed cooker and Rosie’s freshly baked shortcake was hot in the oven.  Forgetting the coffee, I opened and held the oven door, which prevented the oven from swinging to the waves.  The coffee pot fell on its side and a waterfall of coffee ran down (but not over the shortcake, luckily).  It took me a long time to clear up all the mess and I had to get to the last of it by lifting the sole boards next day.

The new coffee and shortcake were all the more delicious for the extended wait, as the rain fell steadily.


Grey Day On Lower Loch Fyne
Just as the scenery around here is sweeping and grand, so we imagined that the Crinan Canal would also be very impressive.  It is a good deal larger than a narrow boat canal but it is still more British than mainland Europe in size and atmosphere.  Upon reflection, this is hardly surprising since it was built in 1801, with local small trading craft in mind.

Ardrishaig Sea Lock, Crinan Canal
We locked in at Ardrishaig and then, after some good exercise with sluices and gates through the first three locks, motored gently on the still waters, rain falling, to moor near the Cairnbaan Hotel for the night.

Peaceful Cruising on the Crinan Canal
The hotel restaurant provided a delicious meal and our oilskin jackets drip-dried while we ate, on the back of our chairs.




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