On the eve of our holiday, as we were packing cases, an Email arrived to say our ferry had been cancelled because of a technical issue (unable to use ramp to get cars on or off)!! Unable to get through to Calmac because of the high volume of calls they were experiencing we went to bed not knowing what would happen in the morning.
Well morning arrived and although the website said there was an extra ferry running - it was at 8 o'clock in the morning! Not going to catch that one then! Ringing Calmac resulted in about an hour on hold. Eventually, talking to a very helpful assistant meant we changed our booking to the first available ferry - at 8pm. Plans to meet our fellow travellers then had to change, and kept changing throughout the day. Finally arriving at the ferry terminal to collect our tickets we found that our original ferry might be taking cars after all! A mad dash to get the cars into the queue and we managed to board the ferry at the very last minute.
Back to Plan A now after a very stressful time.
The crossing made up for it though - calm and done under beautiful blue skies.
Having done shopping, we journeyed to the cottage and unpacked our cars, had tea and were sitting watching the tide come in by the time 8pm came around - the time we thought we would be setting sail. How relieved we all were to be here and settled. A good night's sleep will hopefully get us back into holiday mood.
Sunday
Well it was a very good night's sleep - and the view this morning is amazing. Look at the colour of the water!
Then it got even better! My favourite sea bird is the gannet and what was flying and diving right in front of me as I sat looking out the window? Yes gannets ... and more gannets... and more gannets. What majestic birds when they are flying - those black wing tips mean there is no mistaking them for anything else. The way they then turn into a dart as they head towards the water is incredible to watch. Well, that's made my holiday! We have been trying for years to get a good photo of a gannet, or a video of one diving into the water but have never been able to produce anything worthwhile. They are so agile and quick.We may have another week now to have another go, but it means sitting here looking out of the window at the sea watching for gannets with a camera in hand - what an awful way to spend a holiday (I don't think!)
With the window open, listening to the sea whooshing gently on the shore, watching the blue/green sea as it shimmers in the sun is such a hardship that the morning passes very quickly. The odd shower passes over but they are of no great length or density.
Decided to go and visit Arran Distillery this afternoon.
A lovely ride out but not too far to go and the scenery on this short journey was lovely in the sunshine.
On returning to the cottage we decided to have a wander along the beach as the sun was still shining - might not be tomorrow! The weather in Scotland can be unpredictable, so strike while the iron is hot!
Although breezy, the sun shone for the rest of the afternoon and we had a very pleasant wander. On the way back we encountered a kite surfer just getting his gear ready.
Well we had to stop and watch didn't we? Not a hobby we will be taking up though!
A calm end to the day as we sat and watched the water and the sun setting. The sky was clear enough to see Mars and Saturn out the window and on going outside found there were hundreds of stars in the sky too. By bedtime however they were disappearing behind the clouds.
Monday.
Not such a calm morning this morning.
Cloud everywhere and the wind seems quite strong. It has rained overnight and the sea as it crashes against the rocks makes quite a spray.
It is still mesmerizing to watch and keeps us enthralled all morning. We have also seen a few fishing boats out on the water this morning - but I don't think I'd like to be out there with them!
As the day went on the weather gradually got worse and the rain poured down. We did manage to get out for lunch but soon headed back to the cottage where we sat and listened to the rain hammering on the windows and watched the waves crashing on the shore. It was so dull and grey that it looked just like a black and white photo.
Tuesday
Today started better than yesterday finished! We even saw some sunshine and then spotted a really special creature sitting on the rocks in front of us - an otter. He soon disappeared - but then came back again and sat on the rock munching his breakfast! Unfortunately he was looking the wrong way and too far away to get a really good photo but we know what that black blob in the photo is!!
Just along the road from Corrie lies Sannox, where the river runs alongside the road. It flows through rocks and crosses the road under an old stone bridge - it certainly had plenty of water in it today.
Wednesday
We woke to glorious sunshine this morning but still had the odd heavy shower. A huge cruise ship passed by the end of the island - it was the Regal Princess on her way to Greenock. A walk along the road to the local shops was meant to be taken between showers ... it began well enough
Unfortunately, we mis-timed our return and got drenched!! By the time we had eaten lunch the weather had improved again and we decided to venture out again. We re-visited Lochranza and the villages of Corrie and Sannox looking for wildlife along the way. We were lucky to see swans, a heron, swallows, mallards and peacocks. Yes I did say peacocks.... they were just by the side of the road!
We also sat and watched what we think was a female Hen harrier hovering and then gliding low across the hillside - probably looking for food.There was also a herd of deer, including stags and hinds up the hill and seals in the water. So, not a bad list for just a couple of hours. We went back to the cottage feeling quite chuffed and sat in the sun watching the waves gently washing up on the shore and the oystercatchers poking around in the seaweed right in front of us.
Thursday
Up and out early this morning - well early for us this week! We wanted to catch the ferry from Lochranza to Cloanaig to visit Campbeltown and the Mull of Kintyre. However first we had to empty the moth trap we set last night. Unfortunately that didn't take long - only 2 moths in it!! A Square Spot Rustic and a Dun-bar. Counting the Angle Shades on the wall that made a grand total of 3.
The weather this morning was still somewhat changeable but the water didn't look too choppy for a ferry crossing. It was quite busy at the small Lochranza terminal and there were actually 2 ferries running as the main terminal at Brodick was still having trouble with ferries.
Only half an hour sailing on Catriona saw us arriving in Cloanaig, leaving a misty Arran behind.
We took the minor road towards Campbeltown, driving along the narrow, meandering roads through wooded areas which suddenly opened up and revealed the sea below us again.As we got nearer to our destination we saw the lighthouse that we had watched blinking every night from the cottage.
Finally arriving in the port of Campbeltown we had a good wander around.
The harbour was full of eider ducks - all sounding a bit like Frankie Howerd "ooh"ing
A nice little town but our time was up - we headed off on The A road towards Tarbert, passing the airport at Macrahanish (up to 10 flights per week from Glasgow - we didn't even know it had an airport!), calling in at Big Jessie's tearoom for tea and delicious home-made cakes on the way. Big Jessie wasn't there unfortunately (on the ferry to Gigha, which had its terminal by the tearoom)
We reached Cloanaig in time for the last ferry back to Arran, and home shortly after that. A super day out.
Friday
Rather grey and breezy again this morning but it had brightened by mid-morning so we decided to go for coffee at the Shiskine Golf Club - just up the road. We knew there was a golf course, and had watched many golfers going past with their trolley of clubs but had never gone to look any closer. We now wish we had - a very smart looking course and clubhouse, that overlook the sea, as you approach. Inside is just as impressive and the home-made scones and cakes were absolutely delicious.
It would have been nice to sit there looking at the view but we moved on, crossing the island by the road known as the String, with a lovely view across the Firth of Clyde .
We continued to Brodick, with a detour along the shore overlooking Holy Isle.
This seal was obviously very comfy on his rock ... but not interested in looking our way!
... talking of which, we went back to a cafe we had visited earlier in the week and had their delicious fish and chips.
Although we had suffered some heavy showers while we were out, by the time we got back to the cottage the sun came out and we spent the rest of the day "water-watching". A quick wander along the sea-shore brought views of a couple more birds.
Rock Pipit
White Wagtail (New species for us)
And a few more ever changing views of waves and whooshes
The crescent moon looked fabulous but then we also saw Jupiter, Saturn and Mars. A nice end to the week.
Saturday
Better weather this morning so we had a smooth crossing to Ardrossan as the first part of our journey home after a very relaxing week. We stayed in a super cottage with a stunning view across to the Mull of Kintyre. The well-equipped cottage was cosy and comfortable and although the weather may have been rather changeable it did not stop us getting out and about. We were very lucky to see some wonderful wildlife and are already looking forward to going back!
