Arran; from the other side

A blustery, mostly sunny beach walk form Troon to Prestwick and back. I avoided the cyle/walking track and opted for the shore option which reduced the distance by a mile or so, just over 8 in total, there and back. The return trip much more interesting with gorgeous views to Arran. I am very familiar with the view to arran from Kintyre towards its west coast but very un-familiar with the view of its east side from Ayrshire. It took me a while to mark significant place although of course Goat Fell was dead easy to spot and also Holy Isle. Lady Isle with its lighthouse was initially a puzzle, it looked from Prestwick much closer to Arran than to the mainland when the reverse is the case. The long reefs again just off shore were a misleading landmark – possibly exaggerated because of the very low tide.

I had lunch in the dunes – a M&S posh puppy chipolata sausage with ketchup, a turkey roll, crisps and a leomin and white chocolate biscuit (also M&S), unhealthy and delicious with a flask of coffee flecked with sand grains.

There appears to be no way of crossing the Pow Burn, other than diverting back and in land to the cycle track. I enjoyed padding through it and found it to be not that cold.

Around 5 or 6 planes took off form Prestwick airport, I think its just Ryanair that flies form here. All the planes as far as I could make out were probably cargo and or military flights.

I took several photos of Arran and then just as I arrived back into a very busy Troon (it had been pretty much deserted when I arrived at around 11) I saw these young lads having great fun in the sea. I thought it provided a more interesting setting for the main focus which is of course Goat Fell.