Patch and I took a day trip, heading out on a ferry from Ardrossan. As Patch is a rescue dog, I wasn't sure how he would react on the ship - but as usual he took everything in his stride. However I did go straight upstairs to the outdoor area, so that we could enjoy the sunshine, and see all the views!
We were pretty fast to leave once everyone was on board, they have a VERY fast turn around, despite it being a largish car ferry.
Our destination was hazy on the horizon - the beautiful island or Arran sitting in the Firth of Clyde. I used to spend all my holidays there as a child, setting off with my parents, down to a house they used to rent for the month of July every year. It was always a great adventure - packing all out summer clothes and toys into a large hamper which was then taken to the house by road and rail, ready for us to head down in my dad's car to Ardrossan and over the sea to Arran. We used to have a competition, usually about the time we got to Kilmarnock, to see which of us [me or my brother] would see the sea first! Once we got to Ardrossan it was onto the ferry and up on deck to feed the seagulls, and then hang over the side watching the waves until we got closer and closer to the island and the pier at Brodick. Then straight to our rented house to unpack and then get to the beach as quickly as possible!! We used to have breakfast as a family, and unless we were going a trip somewhere on the island, we would head off to the beach, until lunchtime, and either go home or to our beach hut which we always hired for the month. Over the years the line of beach huts seemed to dwindle, as some of the winter storms caused damage, or they were damaged by being moved. They were really great, as we kept all our beach stuff in them, plus it was a place to get change easily. You also made friends with the people who had the huts next to you too! Anyway those were very happy days - especailly as we used to spend the entire month of July there - arriving on the 1st and leaving on the 31st. We always wanted to get the earliest boat to arrive and always the last boat to leave, if we could.
So heading over on the ferry always brings back those very happy memories, of long summer days and practically complete freedom.
When we arrived on the island, the others [my brother and lady friend] wanted to visit Lamlash, so we took a bus over the hill to the sailing haven of Lamlash. Protected by the rising mass of Holy Isle from any storms it was always busy with boats of all kinds. I can even remember a few naval ships being moored out in the deeper water in the 60's!
We stopped on the grass at the back of the shoreline, to have some sandwiches and drinks, and Patch, had a little wander down onto the rocks to meet a couple of Labradors who were playing catch the stick with their mistress. Naturally Patch joined in and dived into the cooling water to fetch the stick! Did I mention it was one of the really lovely hot days in June!!!
The scent of the seaside roses was exquisite, and they looked really nice too.
After our brief lunch - Patch and I decided to head back to Brodick, as I wished to visit the castle, so we got a bus back which dropped us off at Brodick Primary school, which was at the road end of where we used to spend the summer. I took Patch down past the Rosa Burn, alongside the golfcourse, to the beach - as you can see he was quite excited by this option!
After walking along the waters edge on the Duke's Beach [and Patch having a few more cooling swims] We went across the road and into the grounds of Brodick Castle [ I am a member of the National Trust for Scotland] where we walked up through the gardens to the castle.
See next post.
