Caldedonian Canal Day 6: Nice weather, helpful lock keepers, Loch Ness again

 We have decided that the pontoon near the Cullochy Lock is our favourite place in the canals. It's quiet and very pretty. We wake to sunshine and have a leisurely breakfast, enjoying the peace before boats start coming through the lock. Eventually we start up and continue down the canal to Kytra lock, tie up and then go through with a cruiser and a yacht, both with Germans aboard. 

We proceed gently on down the canal, slowing down as we pass a group of canoeists so as not to slosh them about with our wake. When we reach the Fort Augusta staircase we find that there are 3 batches of boats coming up, so we tie up and go ashore. This time the pharmacy is open, so we stock up on new dressings and consult with the pharmacist about getting my hand x-rayed when we get to Inverness - directions are to go to A&E in the hospital when we get there.

We plan another pub lunch at The Bothy, but it's packed, so we buy a roll and a baguette at a cafe, eat them sitting by the lock. As the last batch of boats are exiting the top lock, we talk to the lock keepers - they are going to lunch, then they'll load the locks in batches for the downward progression, starting with the two huge barges that are waiting. One of the last boats out is a monster with a crane called Holyhead Towing.

Holyhead Towing going past

By 2pm lunchtime is over and we watch fascinated as the two huge barges manoeuvre off the jetties where they are moored and into the first lock. Not too long after we are called in with three yachts and one other motor cruiser. Word has got around about my hand, so one of the lock keepers does the bow management and Peter does the stern pull this time. I stand about and make sure Peter is OK as we descend slowly through the five locks. We wait for some time in the last one before they open the gates, swing the bridge just beyond the locks and let us free into Loch Ness. Most of the boats who came down with us tie up beyond the bridge but we go on, because it isn't raining and it's relatively calm compared with our previous crossing. There is rain forecast which catches up with us about half way, but there is a light sky ahead most of the way and we enjoy the journey, even with a bit of rain, and some increasing wave action with it. As we are going with the waves and there isn't as much wind, it's a much more pleasant trip.

Loch Ness, calm and rain-free

Urquart Castle as we approach Urquart Bay
(with rain and more wave action)

Finally Urquart Castle is in view, and this time we get a good look at it as we turn into Urquart Bay and head to the harbour. Reverse berthing is always challenging, but after one attempt where I thought we were going to back into the Nessie Hunter, we slot ourselves in on the quieter side of the marina (further from the road) with some help from people on the boat next to us. Time to put the next ready meal in the oven and open the bottle of rosé we bought in Fort Augustus.

Postscript: Now we're tied up the sun has returned.

 

Lifeboat Station in Urquart Bay Harbour, in sunshine!