An Arran Day

Well, I say a day. It was more like 6 hours as I went on the 12:30 ferry over to the island. I had been dubiously watching the skies earlier trying to decide if it was going to brighten up and turn into one of those beautiful bright days that surprises you with its warmth after a dull start. I took my umbrella anyway.

It certainly did, although you'd never guess from my initial stroll round on the deck after I'd had my lunch of tuna sandwich and chips washed down with tea while in the cafe/restaurant. I nearly blew overboard and was clinging onto the railings for dear life! By the time the ship docked, 55 minutes later the sun was out fully. I made my way round the corner to where all the buses sit rumbling waiting for passengers wanting to travel in various directions round the island. After stupidly getting on one which was absolutely packed and sitting right at the back thinking 'I'm going to have heat stroke on here,' the engine stopped and the lady driver announced that there was a crack in the windscreen and we would all have to get off and move to another bus. With relief, I trampled several people getting off - slight exaggeration - and got on the nearly empty shorter string road route bus and arrived at the pretty Blackwaterfoot a short time later where I took pictures, stared wistfully out to sea for a while, had a pint of Leezie Lundie (Ayr Brewing Co) and packet of nuts and just made the 323 bus around the south of the island to the wonderful place known as Lamlash.

Lamlash is quite a busy little place and I had an interesting wander around finding out about all the little boat trips you can do over to Holy Island opposite. I decided to leave that for another day as it would be cutting things a bit fine time wise. It was so beautiful there. Strangely, all of the shopkeepers I spoke to appear to be English and I do wonder if many local Arran people can actually afford to live and work there? There are two primary schools and a high school there so those who do live there all year round have a 'normal' existence that you wouldn't imagine as part of island living. This was probably my fifth visit to Arran. It won't be the last and I learn more about it every time I go there.

I really liked it there and after having a ridiculously large pizza in the hotel/restaurant. I caught another little bus back to Brodick Harbour where I wandered to the cashpoint to stock up. I like seeing 'Brodick, Arran' appearing in my online statement! I'm daft like that....

The picture was taken in Brodick Harbour of a pleasure boat going out, probably one of the last shots I took yesterday. I'll add a few more to Blipfolio later....

Best viewed large

One ferry and two short train journeys later, I was sat in the Glen Park in Ayr. It was a long day but really nice and I look forward to returning to Arran again soon, maybe even before the week is out so I can do that little trip to Holy Island.

Oh, I lost my brolly.

Track? I am in Stones mode today - You Can't Always Get What You Want