Jean says: I'm a bit distressed because my iPad refuses to work, which could mean that all my photos, iPad drawings, yesterday's blog and lots of other stuff I've written about this trip have disappeared into cyberspace. I won't be able to photoshop anything either because Bob's iPad doesn't do the same stuff that mine did. Neither is it backed up on iCloud because it only happens when we have wifi. Talk about having your creative wings clipped. How will I do cake alerts? Anyway, I'm still able to write the blog on Bob's iPad, so that's something.
It was another glorious day yesterday, but with no wind, so we motored along the length of Loch Fyne to Inveraray, and anchored offshore before rowing in to have a look round and visit the castle. The 13th Duke and Duchess were in residence and we saw then briefly from a distance. They looked decidedly normal apart from the fact that the Duchess was wearing very sturdy brogues, thick woolly tights, and was swathed in an excessive amount of the Campbell tartan. That's how we knew she was who she was. I was surprised to see that they had allowed Hello magazine to cover their wedding, but these days your average aristocrat is often strapped for cash, and it's possibly the only alternative to opening a safari park or selling off the family heirlooms.
We motored back to Otter Ferry at the end of the day to moor on a buoy ready for an early start this morning to negotiate the Crinan Canal.
We'd heard that the Crinan was quite special, but the thought of sixteen locks in one day was a bit daunting. We'd been offered assistance throughout, but in reality, we only had official assistance sometimes. It it hadn't been for a boatload of very helpful chaps who shared our journey with us, we've no idea how we could have managed with just the two of us. Even with help, it was very hard work, and couldn't be described as remotely enjoyable. The scenery wasn't that interesting either, apart from the Crinan end bit which looked a bit like the flat open plains of Africa, but without the Wildebeest. We went into the canal at nine thirty and finished at four o'clock and were very glad it was over. Luckily, when we came out the other end, the tide was with us, so we headed up Loch Craignish to Ardfern marina. A very nice man appeared form avery impressive motorboat to help us with the lines, which was just as well because we were making a mess of it, or at lest the person on the helm was! After that we had a couple of our emergency cans of Marks and Spencer's curry (unbeatable, absolutely delicious) and a rest. We're now wondering what the Caledonian will be like, but don't want to think too far ahead.
The weather is still lovely here, and it's predicted to carry on like this until the weekend - we're feeling very lucky.
The other special thing we have to mention from the last,few days is the sleeping dolphins. We'd been seeing all these apparently lazy, laid back dolphins mooning about occasionally surfacing before disappearing for 5 minutes, and carrying on like this interminably. Upon enquiring with local knowledgeable folk, this is how dolphins sleep! They go round in circles coming up when they need a breath. Amazing.

A view up Loch Fyne on the way to Inveraray. Sorry about the quality, from
Bob's Blackberry.