13thMay

VOYAGER 2001
Tuesday 15th May - Day 5

	Members of the team lining up for a photo shoot to appear in this week's Glasgow Herald prior to departure from the Seacat Terminal at Troon. Pictured with Elaine Murray terminal manager of Seacat who declined the offer to ride pillion !
John and the team making final preparations prior to departure from Troon harbour. The jetski and the boats had been refuelled the night before to save time in the morning. John dislikes this part of the day and gets a bit nervous before he starts.
	Brian Clarke and Gorden Waddell warming up the engines of Ocean Runner in the harbour. Note the heavy weather clothing of the crew as temperatures were quite cold.
A quick warm-up before departure from the harbour whilst photo's were taken for the Glasgow Herald. The destination was Ardrishaig the start of the Crinan Canal. On route we received a low flypast from a Royal Navy SAR Sea King helecopter and a cheery wave from the pilot. (at least we think it was a wave ! )
	At 12.45 we entered the first of fifteen locks of the Crinan Canal and preceded along the nine mile length to the village of Crinan at a sedate 4mph. Our progress was monitored by the land team who were able to follow our progress by driving alongside the canal. Mark Harding, our resident canal / lock expert, took it upon himself to organise the lock operations. He was a dab hand at winding the windless on the lock gates as he's been winding up the team all week !
The weather was overcast with the occasional light shower but the outstanding scenery more than made up for the glitch in the weather. Today was a time to 'chill out' and take things easy which made a change from the usual tight schedule that we've been trying to keep.
	Out heartfelt thanks go out to the British Waterways personnel who prepared the locks ahead of us and thus speeded up our passage. Many thanks for their kind donation to the British Heart Foundation. They also stayed beyond the closing time in order for us to exit into the Sound of Jura. Also thanks to Joanne and Lisa in the Canal Office for their help with regard to the trailers.
Philip Carruthers of Ardrishaig jetski club seen giving John a few tips on the finer points of handling the machine
	Team members line up after the boats have been moored at Crinan ready for tomorrow's departure. Our passage through the canal gave us one of the most pleasurable sections of our trip so far and also we would like to thank the kind generosity of the gentlemen from Cairnbaan Post Office and the bus driver who pulled up alongside to see this curious flotilla who both gave a donation to the British Heart Foundation.