Just for a moment imagine walking into your favourite shop and going up to the cashier with all your goods. Then instead of you having to hand over a credit card in exchange for the goods, they give you some money. Would you be confused, but somewhat elated? All those onboard Ruffian were massively confused but very, very happy when exactly this happened when we checked into Tarbert harbour to shelter from the weather. All however would soon become clear.

We wanted to make for Tarbert on Monday night as the forecast was for a huge low pressure system rolling across the Atlantic bringing strong winds and lots of rain. This had been articulated in our last blog and thanks to his thoughtfulness and huge generosity Fiona's father had phoned ahead and put a little something with the harbour master enabling us to go out for dinner whilst weathering the storm in port. John: Thank you so very, very much for your kind gift and thinking of us on our adventure. This not only put a smile on our faces but also all those in the harbour office as this was the first time that anyone had ever performed such an act. Many thanks again John.

We took the opportunity whilst in Tarbert to visit the local chandlery and seek some advice on where to go next and what pilot books would be useful. We also needed some gas and some other spares which would normally be housed in the special outboard spare shop. What followed again enriched our faith in human nature as they recommended that we go through the Crinan canal and don't buy any of their books as we were well armed bookwise north of the Crinan. Talk about pleasure before profit. It was at this point that things started to get a bit weird, Iain then commented that that was really nice and their gas was really reasonable, they retorted that we were nice customers, an offer of a group hug was then put on the table. Thankfully another punter walked in before anybody could start the hugging session.

So thanks to John off we went to dinner and we found a really quirky 100ft dutch barge that was doubling up as a seafood restaurant. As the only patrons this early in the season, the owner regaled tales of his delivery to Scotland of his ship and all his adventures he'd had on the west coast. This really sealed things. So through the Crinan we are going, off to the fabled cruising grounds of the highlands without having the pain of going around the Mull Of Kintyre.

The forecast was as expected and Ruffian was buffeted by 40 knots of wind and lashed with rain all night. As always she kept us warm and safe and will we are sure, happily deliver us to the entrance to the Crinan canal tomorrow to start another chapter in our adventure.

Another amazing day. How the weather on the south coast?


Welcome to Tarbert.


The old pier.


Some of the millions of scallop shells around the pier.