MV Isle of Arran, Campbeltown Loch, and Davaar

... Island

20.3C with light rain on and off through the day. Occasionally heavier showers. Moderate SE breeze then SSW/SW becoming stronger.

It was still dry when Maeve the Deerhound and I were out for our first walk of the day but the rain wasn't far away. We went our usual walk and I took her home. Then, since it was  ferry Friday, I set off to the ferry terminal and walked along the shore side of the park to find a spot to wait for the ferry to leave. The cargo ship Ayress was making its way very slowly towards the harbour to berth at the ferry quay once the ferry had gone. They passed starboard to starboard not long after the ferry left the quay and turned to make towards the channel out of the loch. Once the ferry had made its way though the channel past the island I went home. Ayress was already approaching the quay.

I chose Halibut from Gigha when I went to the fish shop today. We had seen a film about it when watching a program about the island on television (on Alba, the Gaelic channel) earlier in the week. The other customer in the shop when I was there mentioned she had seen it too and had enjoyed it. The lady behind the counter in the fish shop told me that the Halibut sells in Harrods in London for £50 a kilo. Thankfully not that much locally. I intend to roast it in the manner that was demonstrated in the television program with a few small tomatoes, olive oil, and garlic. I might throw in some butter and dried herbs at the end to make a sauce.

Maeve the Deerhound and I went for a walk after lunch. Capercaillie on the iPod Mini (The Blood is Strong). When we were going round past the park to the harbour two wind turbine tower sections were coming round the road on the big low loaders escorted by police cars with flashing lights and the usual escort vans. It makes an interesting sight as they take the roundabout by the old quay, especially like today when there was a line of cars parked along the side of the road opposite the old picture house. There isn't a lot of room to spare. Louis was still moored at the old quay with some turbine tower sections already on board and the big mobile cranes alongside ready to load the new arrivals.

We went out past the ferry terminal, where Ayress was being loaded with wood, and along the shore side of the narrow park to the little grass area by the cemetery. We stopped there to watch some Gannets in the air out towards Glenramskill. Then we wandered back along the street side of the park and came home though town passing the town hall and the second hand bookshop on the way. We managed to stay dry. It did feel very warm and it was becoming humid.

Afternoon music ... Runrig's The Big Wheel.

E-PL5 f/9 1/200 sec. ISO-200 34mm

Extra: MV Isle of Arran passing Ayress in Campbeltown loch.