Day 75/80 - Fort William to Oban

Fort William to Oban

 Day 75  Banavie

After the two week break at home which I think we both needed, it was good to get back to make sure Lunar Sea was okay.  All was well and surprisingly, battery voltages were all up above 12 volts so I was happy that the new batteries were doing their job. I had left a bilge pump on stand-by just in case and the Rutland wind generator would have given me some amperage. 
I came back with a bag of spares and goodies; a new engine starter switch which was giving us some intermittent starting problems usually when we could do without them; a couple of spare bilge pumps; a spare water circulation pump - I had fitted one when I added a heater fan matrix and a new immersion tank mainly for the shower but found that the system needed a little help instead of relying on the engine pump; some stainless piano hinge that needed to replace some original rusty stuff; a few fittings for a handrail modification I wanted to complete and a selection of engine filters.
The main job I needed to attend to was to replace the temporary engine earth fitting.  With that done we moved the boat across the canal to the waiting quay to plug in to mains electrics and top up the water tanks and for our proposed leaving of the Caledonian canal.  I had thought we would descend the 8 locks of Neptune Staircase on the Saturday and exit Corpach and the Sea Lock on the Sunday, unfortunately, guess what the weather was against us and in any case the lower holding basin was full up with boats!
That meant a slight change of plans.  Monday was looking good weather wise so that would be the day to leave - it would also allow me to watch the British Grand Prix from Silverstone as we had mains hook up. What a good plan!  It also meant that I was able to get on with most of the jobs.

Day 78 Banavie (Fort William) to Linnhe Marine - 17th July, 2017
Neptune Staircase - Caledonian Canal - from a photogragh

We had to leave for the first lock down at 08:00.  I wanted to make sure we would be the first in the lock as it was going to be busy and being at the outer end meant that we could reach the mooring hooks a little more easily, as it turned out Julia went ashore with the Bow line and all went really well - it is a lot easier going down the locks as you don't get the rush of water coming in pushing the boat all over the place.

Lunar Sea in Neptune Staircase


There were a further 2 locks and a last Sea Lock at Corpach, just a small formality to pay for the electric we used at Banavie and we were back out in the open sea albeit in Loch Linnhe and a 17 mile trip to Linnhe Marine.

Last look at Fort William

It wasn't a particularly nice start to the day, overcast but at least no rain and a fairly pleasant trip along Loch Linnhe at least the sun came out for the last 8 miles or so. 
Linnhe Marine was a delightful little place.  It was not listed in either Reeds Almanac or the Cruising Association Almanac but luckily I picked up a 'flyer' in Inverness or else we would have passed this place by. It was such a shame that we couldn't stay any longer than a night but we had to by in Oban be Thursday and again the weather was to change on Wednesday.  At least we managed a small walk to the local pub, 'the Old Inn', which dated back to 1670.

Linnhe Marine

Day 79  Linnhe Marine to Dunstaffnage - 18th July, 2017

What a lovely day - had the bad weather Gods lost us for a moment?  Reluctantly we had to leave for the 12 mile trip further South along Loch Linnhe.  The owner at Linnhe Marine had buoyed a channel in the shallows to cut a couple of miles off the journey behind Shuna Island which shelters the moorings.  Depths were always more than 5m although you probably would have give it a miss if you went by the chart alone.  Once clear of the shallows all other hazards are marked and we had a lovely sail for a while when the wind came around to a more favourable direction.

Loch Linnhe

I had chosen to go to Dunstaffnage Marina, which is about 4 miles North of Oban, mainly for a 'look see'. It is in a secluded bay and fairly well protected from most winds and the Marina at Oban is actually across the water, about a half a mile boat crossing to Kerrena Island.  I was told that there was a new marina being built at Oban which was close to being finished and would have a limit of only a 3 day stay - would this be suitable and would it be finished - I would need to find out.  In the meantime, Dunstaffnage is lovely and the facilities excellent so we booked in for 7 nights initially, as we were meeting Julia's sister Dee and partner Steve in Inverness for 4 days touring around and coming back to stay on the boat later on.
Dunstaffnage Marina from Dunstaffnage Castle

Day 80 - Oban

It gave us a chance to go into Oban - a 10 minute bus trip - to look around and find out the lay of the land.  The new marina although built has a small problem and so will not open until it is sorted.  It could be ready next week, only time and the Harbour Master will be able to tell.

Oban Bay - new marina to right - Kerrena Island to left



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