Day 6 – Mister Chatty

• Kilfinan Bay to Crinan
• 26 kms

From not seeing anyone yesterday, I was chatting with anyone who showed the least interest in engaging with me today:  the Scottish Canal’s man in the Ardrishaig Sea Lock office, two French men walking past as I portaged through Ardrishaig, Catherine the Christian Aid lady at lock 6, a lady swimming at the pond above lock 9, a local man sailing his model Laser dinghy between locks 9 and 10, two walkers from Inverness but now living in Cambrigeshire, and a guy from Glasgow getting onto a sit-on-top at Crinan. I’m sure I’ve missed a few others too.

The morning 7 km paddle across Loch Fyne was a good way to start the day. Nothing but the seabirds to keep me company. Most ignored me, but a group of small young gulls (Kittiwakes maybe) made repeated flyovers to see if they could work out what I was. Three puffins sped by – the first I’ve seen on this trip. A couple more were hanging out on the water a kilometre from Ardrishaig.

I landed my kayak on a pebble beach to the south of the canal entrance, pulled it up a ramp, and tied it to the railing.

Unlike the Lowland Canals, I hadn’t done any research or planning for this one. I know it’s a common route for canoes and kayaks, and I registered my trip online. Other than that, this was a voyage of discovery.

I walked the route to the kayak put in place above lock 4, refuelled myself and my battery power bank at the Rumblin’ Tum café, checked in with the canal staff at the Sea Lock office, and then returned to my kayak for the start of the first portage. The rest of the trip was a delight, best told with a few photos.

I finished the canal at Crinan Bridge, a quarter of a mile before Crinan, as it’s easier to get to the sea here. I then paddled up to Crinan, tied up at the bottom of a ramp, and got a much needed shower in the excellent facilities there. Unfortunately, I forgot to fill up my water bags and will have to nip back there tomorrow before heading north.