Crinan canal walk

I couldn't visit this part of Scotland and not go to Crinan, for a look at the boats and a walk along the canal. Unfortunately it turned out to be a shorter trip than planned as the rain started to fall.

We had time though for a walk round the canal basin, looking at modern leaisure yachts and old working puffers, and along the canal to Bellanoch.

The canal is unusual here, as after rising through a series of locks, it continues along the side of the hill up above sea level. At low tide sand and mud stretch into the distance but as the tide sweeps it becomes a sea loch. It's a strange, slightly surreal landscape, especially as visibility started to close in with the approaching drizzle. 

By the time we reached the large basin at Bellanoch I was convinced it had started to rain. I was glad to have made it to this point though, after seeing the same spot from on high a couple of days before.

By now the occasional drizzle had turned to steady rain and it was time though to head back before we got really wet. We were still wondering about the changes of tea and cake at the cafe, but then a deluge fell, and with only outdoor seating thoughts of food were forgotten as we headed back to our AirBnB.

 Fortunately the holiday didn't end on a wet note, as by evening the clouds had cleared and the sun put in a last minute appearance.