And We Are Off

At Last, at least that is how it feels. 2 years in the planning. Many thanks to all of those who have encouraged us along the way.  Moira followed us down the road as we dropped the car off at the car auctions (I am car less for the first time since I was 17 years old.  That is car less not careless as I am sure the editor will point out is all I have been since I was 17!)

Bags unpacked and stowed, well almost…

 

We set off on bright sunlight after topping up the fuel. We wanted to get at least one Red diesel receipt in the file, as you need to show you have filled up in the UK when you go to Europe otherwise they slam a tax bill on you as the UK is the last country to still allow red diesel for marine pleasure craft.

Good Bye Largs

It was a bit squally on the way over to Tarbert (our first stopping point).  Buy it was nice to get the sails up for a bit and check that we had rigged them correctly.  It normally takes us a couple of goes at the beginning of the season to stop the sheets an lines crossing over each other. (right first time this year – maybe we’re finally getting the hang of this sailing lark?!)

Yes I know the third reef still needs attached.

On the way in we hit a snow storm. (as we were trying to tie up to the pontoon, never had such cold hands before……)

Nice to get tied up for the night on the first day of the trip.  We were both shattered. Guess all of the prep finally catching up.

 

Today it has been a gale force 8-9 blowing round the lower end of the Clyde.  That is just a wee touch breezy for us so we have spent the day in Tarbert.  We have been coming here for the last 10 years. It is a typical west coast fishing village.  Needless to say the amenities have also been west coast fishing village standard….No more!  Nice new shiny toilet block.  The lady who looks after them told me that the only thing right with them was the look – you should try cleaning the things.  Clearly the architect needs to have spent a month working in some public loos before completing the design .  But for us it was fantastic to have nice hot showers and under floor heating.  Oh and by the way, Stirling Dive Club , she also runs the Dive Boat and can fill bottles!

We spent a lazy day having a nice  walk up to the castle then up the hill behind the castle. Something we have been planning to do for years and never got round to it.

 

 

 

There was a little park with some wooden art in it. One bit was a Celtic knot made out of boardwalk.

 

 

Stopped off at a coffee shop,  that after we chatted to the owner for 40 mins turned into  a lunch stop!  She lives on the Crinnan canal at  a beautiful spot that Jenny and I have often commented on as looking idyllic (the little marina just before you get to Crinnan for those who know the canal).

One of my bug bears about the west coast of Scotland is we catch some of the finest fish, yet trying to get some is always a challenge. So armed with some info from the nice lady in the coffee shop I  went in search.  Eventually I found it.  I spotted a couple walking out of this old out-building with a carrier bag.  So either they had been in spending their pension a quarter a pound of your finest Jamaican Black  from the local drug dealer or this was it.  It looked like an old cow shed, but the cows had been replaced with a couple of tables of fish .  One bloke in the corner skinning and filleting and another at the till.  Great place, and again it took me 40 mins to purchase some beautiful Lemon Sole. Us retired people have all the time in the world to chat, and in the west coast there are no shortage of people willing to assist. If banter was an Olympic  sport the west coast of Scotland and Ireland would make it to the final every time.  And those of you who know me , know that I would be the team coach….

We finished the day with a read of a book and enjoying a bit of sun on the aft deck.

If the wind die’s enough tomorrow we will head down to Campbelltown. Then spend a day there before going round the mull.

Cheers all Andy and Jenny