Story 4

LOCH GOIR TO INVERARAY
           The following morning was again bright and sunny. After hauling up the anchor we motored out of Loch Goir in absolutely no wind. After turning north, we motored past the Minard Islands and were about five miles from Inverary when we finally got some wind. All sails were hoisted and we sailed at three knots for the next hour or so. The wind then died and we ghosted along at less than a knot. Barrie and Mike soon had their fishing rods out, no luck this time. After sailing passed Inveraray pier, the anchor was dropped again under sail. Classic Wave stopped as the anchor took hold snatching the chain from Barrie’s hand. It was just as well that he tied it on to a Cleat.
           The dinghy was launched and we made our way across to the pier. We then went round the Prison Museum and did some shopping. It was back to Classic Wave next and food. There was one pub in The Good Beer Guide in Inveraray, The George. We walked in and ordered four pints of their only Real Ale from the Loch Fyne Brewery. Two pints arrived and we were told that the barrel was empty. We told him we would wait until the barrel has been changed. The young barman then informed us that no one on duty could change the barrel so no Real Ale for the rest of tonight. We were a bit miffed and left. Our next Bar was the Inveraray Hotel, which is a three star hotel on the outskirts of the town. After a couple or three pints we went back to The George for a last one.
INVERARAY TO OTTER BAY.
         The day was again bright and sunny when we lifted the Anchor, which was very heavy with mud, and left, again under sail. The wind soon went to nothing and we were again under motor. As we approached a small group of islands in the middle of the Loch called The Minards. We noticed a number of small angling boats all fishing round the islands. The rods were soon out as we slowed down. Forty-five minutes later we were again under way with four Mackerel and a Whiting. We had however scared away the other angling boats as they had all vanished. We approached Otter Bay and almost had a race with another yacht to pick up the last free mooring. We won. Otter Bay was a small ferry terminal, which is no longer running. The dinghy was launched and we made our way to the pub. After landing at the old ferry pier, we had a look round. This did not take long. The pub was also a seafood restaurant called The Oystercatcher with an extensive menu. We sat at a table outside and watched two dogs playing while Michael went for a run. We could see a fire blazing at the fish farm to the North. This seemed to interest everyone and the chef jumped in to his car and went to take a look. It turned out to be an old shed that was deliberately set ablaze as it was in the way. It started to rain and we returned to Classic Wave. Barrie gave some advice on fishing to three kids who were fishing off the old pier. We returned to The Oystercatcher in the evening.
OTTER BAY TO KAMES BAY
          The wind remained light as we tacked our way south west through the narrows and then on to a fairly broad reach as we turned south in to Lower Loch Fyne. It was a pleasant sail past East Loch Tarbet and down to the Southern end of Loch Fyne. As we sailed round Ardlamont Point and entered The Kyles of Bute the wind picked up as it was being funneled between the hills. After tacking for about five miles in the wind that occasionally reached over twenty knots, we heeled over and were traveling at speeds that we had not experienced since we had left the car. The wind eased as we approached the top of the West Kyle. We had seen an advertisement in Largs Marina handbook advertising Kames Hotel and offering moorings. We picked one up again under sail and took a look at the hotel through binoculars. It looked fine, the dinghy was launched and we made our way across. Our first priority was shopping. A walk up the hill to the greengrocers followed. Michael went on a run and the rest of went in to The Kames Hotel. An excellent pint of Marstons Pedigree followed. I spoke to the Licensee and asked why wasn’t the hotel in The Good Beer Guide. He replied that he had never been approached to enter his hotel. I told him that “I’m a member of CAMRA” and he showed me round his cellar. For a real ale buff like myself this was a treat. We chatted for a quarter of an hour about the problems he had in this area getting hold of real ale. He told me that thanks to local small breweries he had a constant supply but getting hold of some from further afield was at times a problem. Michael returned from his run. It was then back to Classic Wave for food and then back to The Kames Hotel for a pleasant evening where we were happy to sample one of the local brews.
KAMES BAY TO ROTHESAY
         The wind was light when we left Kames Bay again under sail. We made our way past Tichnabruich quite slowly. We entered The Kyle (narrows) and just managed to sail through without using the engine. The wind’ what there was of it, was directly behind us as we moved down the East Kyle. The tide was moving us more than the wind. The wind did at last pick up slightly when we entered Rothesay Bay. The engine was started as we approached the pontoon. Bob decided to turn round in the narrow gap and go starboard to, as this would be easier for us to leave in the morning. This was accomplished in one quite fast manoeuvre and we were tied up where we wanted to be. The depth was a slight concern. We were on a falling tide and approaching the top of the spring. Low water passed without incident and we relaxed.
          Our first port of call that evening was The Argyll Arms where we had visited on a previous visit. The place was deserted; a local told us that there’s entertainment on at The Regents Hotel. We walked down the Promenade to The Regents Hotel and entered a small crowded bar. The gentleman who owns The Argyll Arms and is the Musician / Singer was in the audience with his wife. We later found out that it was her birthday. We spent a pleasant evening with various groups, a family, a girl’s night out and another group of friends. It was two in the morning when we got back to Classic Wave. I woke up at five in the morning being tipped slowly out of bed. We were aground and the lines on to the pontoon were the only things holding us up. We put on some extra lines, which was the only thing we could do. The Harbour Master arrived and asked if we needed any help. Not that he could think of anything to do, that we had not already done. We waited for the tide to turn with Classic Wave heeling to about thirty-five degrees. Low water came and went, slowly the tension on the lines slackened. An hour or so later she was again upright.
ROTHESAY TO HOLY LOCH
         After a short shopping trip we left Rothesay and sailed across to Toward Point in reasonable winds. As we rounded the point the wind died and we entered the Firth of Clyde in no wind at all. The tide was all that was keeping us moving. Barrie wanted to try his hand at fishing over the Gantocks, which he tells us used to have a tremendous reputation as the place to catch large Cod. The wind picked up a little and it then started to rain. Barrie then decided not to bother “WIMP” Its only rain. We sailed on and entered Holy Loch in flat calm conditions. As it had stopped raining we entered Holy Loch Marina and tied up as directed. We had a look round and found a great deal of work going on to extend the Marina. A local told us it was happy hour in the pub down the road. We could not resist, three pints later it was back to Classic Wave for food and then fell asleep. It was after nine when we woke up and went to The Holy Loch Inn. On entering we trebled the clientele, another very quiet evening.
HOLY LOCH TO KIP via COVE
         We had arranged to pick up David Massam at Kip in the afternoon. We left Holy Loch and sailed across to Cove on the Rosneath Peninsula. The reason for our visit was to find the Knockderry Hotel (Good Beer Guide). After sailing up and down Cove, we could not spot it and turned out and crossed the Firth of Clyde. The wind dropped to almost nothing and three miles off Kip the engine was started. David was waiting for us by the entrance to Kip Marina as we entered. I introduced him to the others and to Classic Wave. We had a meal on board and the made our way to the Inverkip Hotel (Good Beer Guide) where we spent the evening enjoying The Isle of Skye Brewery’s Red Cullion Ale.
KIP TO ARDROSSAN
         It was the day we had to lose Barrie and Michael as they had to return to work. We left Kip Marina and turned South in calm conditions. We expected to have to motor all the way, but as we approached the Largs the wind picked up to over 20 Knots. This led to a decision to reef down. It was the first time in this week’s sailing that we had put a reef in. We made our way in to Ardrossan and tied up. Barrie and Michael were soon on their way home. Bob, Dave and myself searched through what food we had left and settled for on some Fray Bentos Steak Pies. We then spent another quiet evening in the Castlehill Bar.
ARDROSSAN TO LOCHRANZA
         Our first task the following morning was to restock our provisions. We caught a bus in to Saltcoats and visited the Safeway store. A taxi was needed to get us back to the marina after spending £103.00. Stowing our provisions, we made ready for sea. We left in calm conditions and turned North. Our best point of sail was towards the North of Arran. The wind came and went while we sailed sometimes at five knots and sometimes at one knot. As we approached The Cock of Arran the wind picked up to twenty-four knots and then disappeared, only to return from a different direction. We gave up and motored in to Lochranza where we picked up a mooring. Dave had offered to cook us our evening meal of Chicken Curry, which was eaten with relish. The dinghy was launched and we made our way to The Lochranza Hotel (Good Beer Guide). The Real Ale was Arran Dark again, which is not my favourite. As we made our way back it was raining and blowing eighteen knots. We got wet.
LOCHRANZA TO HOLY LOCH
         It was raining when we got up but had stopped before we left. The sails were hoisted and we motor sailed round The Cock of Arran. The wind died when we were rounding Garroch Head which is the Southern tip of the Isle of Bute. We motored up the Firth of Clyde in very light winds from the south. The forecast was for southerly three or four. Well we had the wind but where were the showers, we motored in to Holy Loch and entered the Marina. Another very quiet evening in The Holy Loch Inn
          It was raining when we arose the following morning and the forecast was for southerly winds force five or six. We decided to stay. In the afternoon we caught the bus into Dunnoon. After a walk round the town centre and buying spare torch bulbs and a new digital elec. meter we found a pub. While watching the weather forecast on T.V. we had a strange conversation with a gentleman at the bar. Another gentleman came to our rescue and informed us of a Bar/ Restaurant that serves real ale. We headed for it. The Bar/ Restaurant turned out to be an Italian and the barrel was empty. They had bottled Loch Fyne Beer, which went down well while we had a meal. We retired to another pub and then took a Taxi back to the Marina.
HOLY LOCH TO LOCHGOIRHEAD
           After paying our mooring fees at the Marina office, we slipped our line and made our way out of Holy Loch. The wind picked up a bit once we were out of the lee of the surrounding hills. We turned north into Loch Long and were on a dead run with the wind directly behind us. We were escorted past the Nuclear Submarine Base by the Ministry of Defence Police patrol boats. Once clear, the patrol boat disappeared as quickly as it had appeared and we turned in to Loch Goir. The wind again died as we went again into the lee of the hills. We sailed very slowly past a small village by the entrance to the Loch and then started the engine. Fifteen minutes later we were approaching Lochgoirhead. There were a number of vacant mooring available and we picked up one of the larger ones. There were small boats of various shapes and sizes around which were full of kids. The village houses a Local Education Authority and a Scout Association water activities centres.
          The dinghy was launched and we paid a visit to the local supermarket, then it started to rain. The local pub was our refuge. On returning to Classic Wave a yacht called Nomad had picked up the mooring next to ours. The lone sailor called Richard was invited aboard for a drink. He told us his yacht was normally based at Fleetwood and that his girlfriend was going to join him for a week and that his ex girlfriend was then going to join him for the voyage back to Fleetwood. This sounded a bit strange to us, but it takes all types. Our evening was spent at the same pub in the company of L.A / Scout sailing instructors.
LOCHGOIRHEAD TO KIP via KILGREGGAN
         Our holiday was drawing to a close and Bob decided to leave Classic Wave in Kip Marina. We left Lochgoirhead the following morning after paying our donation for the use of the mooring. We sailed out of Loch Goir and back into Loch Long in gentle conditions. As it was only a short passage through to Kip, we took a detour. We had another look at Cove and then sailed round the Southern tip of the Rosneath Peninsula to Kilgreggan. We were using the Good Beer Guide as our Guide and were looking for The Kilgreggan Hotel. By the pier we spotted some moorings and went to pick one up. The notice on the moorings read ‘Kilgreggan Hotel’. ‘Welcome. Good Food” We were soon tied on and ashore, making our way to The Kilgreggan Hotel. We tried the Theakstons which was fine and then a new one from a local brewery. It was very fruity. We made our way back to Classic Wave and made ready for our last sail of the holiday. We slipped our mooring and motored out. The wind was very light as we moved out in to the Firth of Clyde, all the sails were hoisted and the engine turned off. We turned towards Kip and sailed as well as we could in virtually no wind. The Paddle Steamer Pleasure Boat, Waverly passed us and we waved. About two hundred passengers waved back and the captain blew the steam whistle. We continued on towards Kip at about one knot. As we approached the entrance all sails were dropped and stowed and we made our way in. We berthed as directed and spent an hour tidying the yacht as she would not be moving again for some weeks. The evening was spent at the Inverkip Hotel again sampling The Isle of Skye’s Red Cullion ale.
           The following morning we closed the yacht’s systems down and hired a cab to take us to the railway station. Our train was delayed as we entered Glasgow and we just missed our direct train to Preston. We had to wait for fifty minutes to catch a train going to Leeds and changed at Carlisle. It was then only half an hours wait for the train from Edinburgh, which took us to Preston. I left the other two at Preston and went on the Blackpool North
                                                                                                                                                               Kevan