Friday, December 21, 2007

West Coast Wander - Two

Well, on our second day in the area, after a late night at the very welcoming and intimate, Argyll Arms Hotel the evening before, I took the dogs for a morning walk around the Ardrishaig Basin on the Crinan Canal before having a relaxed breakfast with everyone when we got back. The Canal Basin


The Canal Basin


Ardrishaig Harbour from the house garden,


with a ship being loaded with forestry trees, to take by sea, to the pulp mill on the Clyde.


We decided to take a trip down the Kintyre peninsular to Machrahanish to check out the superb beach there. I have to admit it was not the warmest of days to visit, nor the calmest. The waves crashing on shore enroute down the coast road.

We stopped in Cambelltown, to get something to eat before heading across the peninsular to the beach.


There was a strong southerly wind whipping up the fines sand and blowing it along the beach at our feet.


We walked with the wind at our backs firstly and then turned to come back to the vehicle and had the wind in our faces as the sun was setting over the Mull of Kintyre! However the dogs really loved it and were totally exhausted for the rest of the evening! One of the interesting 'finds' on the tide line was an old shoe, which must have been in the water for quite some time as it was encrusted with Goose Barnicles. As they were still alive we threw the shoe back out into the water as far as we could.




Heading homewards at 3.30pm!!

Thursday, December 06, 2007

West coast wander one

Just back from a little trip up the West Coast, to visit some friends who have just moved to Ardrishaig. They have got a little Bed & Breakfast business, and like most people on the West of Scotland, a couple of other jobs to bring in some revenue. Patch and I drove up on Monday, past a snow topped Ben Lomond and then through Arrochar heading westwards.
We had to stop at the roadworks where the landslide was , near the 'rest and be thankful' [ a spot so called because on the old road the gradient was so steep on the slope, that if you managed to reach the top without losing either thecontents of you load,or the horse and cart, (or the 'new-fangled' cars).
Patch lost interest in the scenery when it started to rain a little.

We reached Invarary around luchtime and I stopped to get something to eat and have a wee look around. Luckily the suncame out and there was some lovely blue sky for a while, which gave me some nice photos. Inverary from the opposite shore, The church tower, and the town Hall to start.
and then a few more photos round the main Street too.


Arrived at Ardrishaig around 3pm, at Seaview and after a coffeee and a chat, we took the dogs - Patch and Shadow - a Cocker Spaniel 1 year old 'pup' out for a walk along the towpath of the Crinan Canal - heading towards Lochgilphead, before turning for home before it got too dark.