So instead of paying for another night we tucked up in front of the road bridge. It was closer to the shops anyway and we still had our keys to get into the facilities. Pete' barge was behind us so we felt at home.
And soon the bridge was swung for us to take the first rise.
This is the fair city of Inverness, capital of the Highlands.
Except it's at sea level and some folk will go to extraordinary lengths to hide their stash.
I didn't know they had developed water resistant varieties!
We eventually made it into Nessy land and had the cameras at the ready, ready to become millionaires should we snap the monster.
Of course the wind was on the nose and chuffing heartily down the glen. The next morning we had stillness with the above result.
We passed Urquhart Castle or what's left of it.
The steward was caught pondering whether to do risotto or paella for the evening meal.
We had the fortune to share a lock with the Ross Crana. I was keen not to become his spare fender.
Onward to Laggan bridge where we met up with Margaret the bridge keeper. Maybe she doesn't see many folk but we managed to see the bridge of Oich.
I tried to get arty with this shot but failed. I forgot about shadow.
In between the sunny interval we had the "drizzle", heavy rain, mist, torrential rain, light rain, low cloud and just plain rain. Then the sun comes out again and one sees this stunning avenue.
It was actually difficult to navigate the perfect reflection as the definition of up and down was odd. See what I mean?
Yes I have just flipped the photo upside down. And then it gets really surreal when you turn your head on one side.
Reminds me of LSD days in the seventies, did funny things to you apparently.
Loch Lochie Lock proved a mouthful to navigate on the radio but provided a triple layer of cloud for us to see and feel.
We nipped down Neptune's Staircase in an hour and a quarter as we were the only boat in the locks. We waves at the choo choo Potter train as it puffed its way back from Mallaig.
And tied up outside the Lochy Bar overnight and then dropped the last two locks into the Corpach basin were we bunkered alongside and went shopping too.
The sun had lunchtime off from the rain and gave us a chance to see the mountains.
The Calley canal, gateway to the universe and everything.
Over lunch the staff disappear but they did leave the overflow sluices open just in case it rained.
Later on we took the last drop to sea level and spent a night on the outside pontoon. I'm afraid we interrupted the locals having dinner.
While the Potter Train once more delivered Potter Fans back to Fort William.
The morning saw us taking the tide outbound for Oban to find some more charts before we fell off the edge of ours.
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