If alcohol free Carlsberg did days out…. Wow. We’ve had it all apart from scorching sunshine!!
We spent a while trying to decide what to do today. We were going to go to the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow Green today…. Entrance was £22.50 and I was worried that it wouldn’t take our attention for a whole day and yet, we would feel like we should stay…. I’m sure we may have missed a great day but we opted for a car, train and ferry trip to Dunoon! I have lived in Scotland all my life and I don’t think I’ve ever been to Dunoon.
So we took the dogs out first and then drove to Glengarnock train station.
We jumped on the train to Paisley Gilmour Street.
We changed there for Gourock.
When we got to Gourock we had to chose between the ferry to Dunoon at 1.05pm or Kilcreggan at 1.30pm. We chose Dunoon as it was earlier. We had some time to kill.
What hoves into view around the corner, as we wait?!?
The Waverley is heading to Dunoon just before us!!
Then we spotted this seal waiting around the fisherman. That’s the best photo I got!
Dunoon Pier is beautiful.
Lots of it is derelict.
This is our trip for the day!
We went for lunch at The Boat House in Dunoon. It was really lovely, a beautiful view doon the watter, as they say in Glasgow!
We then for a long walk through Dunoon to Kirk and then to Hunters Quay.
We sailed back with Western Ferries.
We were the only foot passengers
Then Helen screamed and was routed to the spot and couldn’t speak… she spotted the dolphins!!
We were very excited and almost missed getting off the Ferry!!
How lucky was I with the seagull?!?!
Last off the ferry!!
We then had a 50 minute walk back along the front in Gourock, to the train station… what pops up behind us?!?
How lucky were we!!??
So no blue sky but it’s been dry all day.
We’re on the train home now and have pre-ordered a chow mein!
We’ve marvelled at the view, the wildlife and all the buildings we have walked past.
We have chatted about anything and everything oh and had a good charity shop rummage!
I was sooooooo grateful to get back onto dry land last night, albeit Largs was soaking wet too.
We finally docked at 9pm which was 50 minutes later than planned. Given how bad the weather was, I don’t think that was as bad as it could have been.
So yeah, lesson learned. That is not the kind of forecast that brings me any massive enjoyment out of the trip, but equally, I’m so glad I didn’t get off in Brodick otherwise I would never have experienced the true extent of the trip…. It was WILD!!!
I was scared at a few points along the way. That kind of sailing isn’t something you experience every day, especially not alone. At the worst point, I met Betty. She was just as scared as me. We laughed and rolled with the boast and kept each other calm.
I don’t even remember mentioning the blog but I must have told her as she messaged to thank me for calming her nerves! How lovely is that?! She had no idea how much she helped calm mine while I was alone and a wee bit scared!!
I knew that we were safe, otherwise we wouldn’t be out there. It still had its rough moments. Literally. A character building trip.
The sail back from Brodick to Largs via Millport was nothing like it had been on the way out, thankfully. It was still choppy but I was able to sit indoors and not get any wetter at least.
It was torrential rain.
I was very lucky that I didn’t feel seasick at all.
We had to wait for CalMac to tie up their two ships for overnight in Largs, before we could dock, but it was only a short delay.
Most people got off in Largs.
Julie 2 jackets!!
I had a pac in mac over my anorak… I do need to rethink my waterproof clothes though…
The water at Largs pier looked so inviting. I love this photo, I feel like I could get lost in it.
Also love how the 2 ships merge into one in this next photo. One is behind the pier and one is in front.
How many ships?!? 😆
Largs was like a ghost town as everyone was keeping out of the rain.
I loved this next one. Would you believe I took this through my wet car window?!
I wanted to wait for her to sail away but it was SO wet that I headed back to the car. Then pulled over to get this!
This is the full route the Waverley took yesterday. Thanks to my friend Mike for sending me this.
So it was so good to get home and get a hot shower. My water resistant trousers were full of water. My socks were soaking and my boots appear not to be waterproof either. 😆 I mentioned the pants already 😆
I got into bed with the electric blanket on and it was amazing. It won’t be long before I’m back in my electric blanket bed tonight!
I have so much to do but I’m shattered after the day at work. It’s not stopped raining, all day, again, so I’m just going to have a night in comfies in front of the tv.
I don’t think I’ve ever experienced anything quite like this.
It is as rough as…
Today has taught me a lesson… if I’m sailing and I see a forecast like this… just cancel!!!
I’ve been watching the forecast all week, and been slightly concerned about the wind and rain.
Every time I have sailed on the PS Waverley it has been scorching. Pure blue sky…
Not today….. cloudy, winds up to 35mph and torrential rain.
It has not been my usual experience at all but I can still take the positives. The ship is empty compared to what I’m used to and I’ve been able to get some different photos from different angles.
The negatives. Despite 5 layers on top… I am wet through to my pants.
Sodding.
My feet are soaked through too.
My fingers are so wet it’s like I’ve sat in the bath all day.
I’m ok but it’s been a massive solo learning experience.
I’ve been exhilarated and scared, excited and worried, I’ve loved it and wanted to get off in equal measure.
My hands are so cold and wet I’ll make this short and just send post some photos… don’t expect much scenery 😆 it’s been covered in mist!
Here I am sporting my new Waverley hoodie.
Craig’s the only person who’s seen it…. It’s been under two jackets all day!
I get to Largs and realise just how windy it actually is.. the sea is very choppy.
But here she comes. I love this ship.
She’s such a beauty.
She took a while to moor at Largs. The swell seemed to pull her away from the quay.
And we’re off…..
It’s wild… getting soaked up the front but the huge waves.
This is our first stop at Millport.
CalMac’s Isle of Arran. (I think….)
Alfred leaving Brodick.
It’s been a very windy crossing… but at least it’s dry… until we get to Brodick.
This shows how few people are actually on board… I feel like they know something I don’t…. 🫣
For the first time ever on this ship, I moved to sit on the upper deck.
What an amazing view….
Then the heavens opened.
There aren’t many photos from here on in.
It was so torrential and such a bad southerly swell that I only took video. Try to pop on my insta or FB to see them.
I’ve honestly hardly seen any of Arran!
I sat upstairs but was too scared to move so just stayed there and rode the swell and got very, very wet. About 5 waves really took my breath away….
We’re now heading back from Brodick, running about an hour late. I’m wet and cold but I’ve found a seat in the observation lounge so I am finally warming a bit.
I hope there’s only another hour to hour and half before I can get off.
I have, as usual, met some lovely people and had a laugh… there is camaraderie in the fear at sea 😆
Get the electric blanket on Craigie!!!
Stay safe everyone, believe the forecast before you jump on a boat trip! ♥️🚢🏴
I’m writing this on Monday night on the bus on the way back to Glasgow. I cannot begin to explain the true extent of the beauty I have seen today. We got the West Coast of Scotland as its absolute best.
“I’m sailing up the west coast, through villages and towns” to quote Dignity by Deacon Blue!
More accurately, we sailed up the west coast taking in several beautiful islands.
We started off on The Clyde at the Glasgow Science Centre and sailed down the Clyde, under the Erskine Bridge, past Greenock and Port Glasgow and down to our first stop in Largs. We picked a good couple of hundred people up in Largs.
My friend Helen sent me the Waverley’s actual trip for the day. I was so chuffed.
We then headed over to Great Cumbrae and sailed north of Little Cumbrae and over to skirt the north coast of Arran…. With Bute in view most of the way.
We then headed across around the Mull of Kintyre and across to Islay and up the Sound of Islay with Jura visible on the right hand side. We sailed on to Colonsay and then back across towards the mainland via the Correyvreckan Whirlpool. Then down through the Slate Isles, past Easdale, Seil Island and Luing… before head into the sound of Kerrera, past Kerrera and into my favourite place on the world… Oban. In the scorching hot sunshine.
What is not to love.
I also met two other solo travellers, randomly both called Chris. One male, one female. We kept an eye out for each other’s bags while we were off away around the boat. I love that kind of connection with someone. We’ll not stay in touch and never see each other again but we shared the day.
I am shattered but I am so grateful that I had the chance to see all of this. I’m gutted I’m not carrying on further north in the Waverley but, given how much I was “bouncing” on dry land… it’s maybe just as well I’m on the bus home. 😂
So I’ll pick up where we left off… we were just about to enter the Correyvreckan Whirlpool.
Now, I’m not going to lie… this is a bucket list thing of mine and I had NO idea that we actually went through it on this cruise. Also, it wasn’t exactly what I expected. It was a bit like sailing through a bubbling cauldron… actually when has anyone EVER done that?!?
These photos WILL NOT do it justice.
If you have ever drive past the Falls of Lora in Connel, near Oban, the effect is very similar.
As the Waverley went into the Whirlpool she was doing 15 knots, by the time she came out she was up to 2/knots just with the force of the whirlpool…. About 10 minutes later, she was down to 11 knots as fighting against a flowing tide.
It’s now Tuesday afternoon and I’ve had the laziest day in the sun. It’s 4.30 already and all I’ve got to show for it is a varnished bench!!
I am quite pleased with it.
So back to yesterday. Leaving the Gulf of Correyvreckan was spectacular.
It was now an evening sunset cruise. After such a spectacular day.
The film crew that were on board were sailing alongside getting lots of shorts for the David Hayman documentary about the PS Waverley.
We are currently here.
The Slate Islands were beautiful. I was torn between watching out to the sun and capturing the green island of Luing and the coast south of Oban.
This is just at Seil island.
I almost missed it but I caught the bridge over the Atlantic!
The Oban lifeboat came out to see us!
The PS Waverley is a celebrity wherever she sails. It’s lovely to be a part of that. Even leaving Glasgow yesterday, folk were waving out of their Clydeside flats.
I’m back out the porthole in the ladies toilets again as we head down the Sound of Kerrera into Oban!
My favourite place on the west coast, Oban.
McCaig’s Tower up on the hill.
The low sun is beautiful!
Docked for the evening!
Taken from the bow of the Waverley.
I’m already off and so sad that the day is over. It was just so perfect.
We then had to jump straight on the bus to Glasgow Science Centre. I literally spend 10 minutes in Oban!
What a stunning night.
Even the bus trip down was stunning, I kept taking photos out the window.
All of these taken from a moving coach… this is the start of Loch Awe.
St Conan’s Kirk on the banks of Loch Awe.
Reflections of the railway bridge at Kilchurn Castle.
The moon is huge….
It’s finally almost dark so I try to sleep but nothing comes.
I got home around midnight after a few wrong turns in Glasgow. My mind wasn’t as fresh as it should have been.
What a truly wonderful day that will stay with me forever. There’ll be videos and more photos to come, I’m sure!
I’m too tired to proof read this tonight so fingered crossed it’s ok 👌
It feels like a longer weekend having a Monday off, than having a Friday off, but I know that’s not really true.
I slept in until ooooh 6.15am…. 😳 we had a nice, leisurely, freshly ground coffee ☕️ in the sun room before taking the dogs up the hill for some Scottish Dog Behaviourist photos and filming.
It’s a lovely morning… really clam and still and very mild. The forecast is for heat all week, which is lovely, though to us, that’s 16-20°C which will do me nicely.
Bhru got a wee teensy bit muddy!!
Calaidh loving her red frisbee!
Filming some training!
I stopped in past the meadow garden on the way home. Check this beauty!
Just to give it some perspective, they are very small but so pretty when you stop to look and focus in.
Showered and changed and headed over the Largs to wait for the PS Waverley coming in. She’s sailing from Glasgow around the Isle of Arran today.
I had time for s quick wander round the odd charity shop, Costa Coffee to pick up some sandwiches and a Coconut Milk Latte (DECAF!) and I settled down on the rocks to wait for her coming in.
There were hundreds of people waiting to get on!
And just like that she was gone!
I was home for 1.30 and passed Craig on his way out to work. I have no idea where this afternoon has gone but 3 hours have past and I have done precious little. Two loads of washing, put clothes away and watched some YouTube videos of the quieter places to visit in the world! It’s been pretty cloudy but still warm. I might do some more work on my vision board later on. I’m getting quite into this manifesting malarkey.
It’s been a lovely relaxing day, it’s lovely when the sun shines in the blue sky. It makes everything feel really good.
It’s a beautiful morning. There’s not a breath on the Clyde.
Craig ran me to the Glasgow Science Centre for 9.30am and picked me back up in Ayr at 6.30pm. In that time I have sailed the River Clyde and the Firth of Clyde down to Largs for 12.10pm, Ayr and Girvan for 4.10pm and out around Ailsa Craig. A very crude map….
A bucket list item ticked for me today. Big time!!
I didn’t feel good when I woke up this morning but the day had had the desired effect. This is what makes me happy. This is what gives me a buzz. Travelling and exploring and not having to drive.
I have had the most amazing time. I have gazillions of photos to sort through so I’m going to make this very quick and just show you a few for now as I’m shattered! It’s 8pm already. (Reading this back over, I did way more than I was planning!!)
This photo makes me laugh… I have the tallest husband in the world 😂 I look tiny!
The Waverley is pushed around to turn the opposite way on the Clyde. It’s literally shunted.
Craig stayed and took some photos from the dock.
Sailing under the Erskine Bridge.
Passing Dumbarton Rock.
We had dolphins riding the bow at this point and I got a fab video which I shared on The Rambling Sloth FB page. The last time I tried to add a video to WordPress it hung for days so I not risking it!!
Ailsa Craig is the tiny blob of an island on the horizon.
Leaving Largs.
Arriving in Ayr where a million people got on!!
Arriving in Girvan.
The RNLI lifeboat danced around beside us for a while!
Setting sail for Ailsa Craig.
I am so pleased we got to sail right around. The photos of the Waverley sailing round would have been pretty special. That’s the only negative to being IN her… you don’t get photos OF her.
Never mind the island. Look at that sky!!
I obviously have loads more photos but will work through them another day.
I met some lovely ladies. Another blogger Dawn-Marie than I’m going to follow and a girl called Sarah. You’re never alone when you’re on your own.
I’ve had the most amazing day. Honestly out of this world. Sadly I’ve been FREEZING for most of it as I opted for the summer wardrobe and unpacked the hat, gloves and warm hoodie… but nothing would get me sitting indoors!!
Sarah spotted this rabbit in the clouds!
Looking towards the Heads of Ayr.
Craig took some fab photos from the dock.
Where’s Julesie, just like where’s Wally!!! Look how busy the ship is?!?
Hint I’m waving!
Vision in turquoise…
A wonderful day. This is what life is all about. 🚢♥️
Crazy work day again today. I didn’t sleep well again last night, either. I was asleep but dreaming really heavily. Dreamt I had to move into a flat and it was a room at the top of a high set of stairs and I had to climb over sleeping people to get up to it. I didn’t like it. 😂
I went straight for a food shopping after work tonight and spent £169!!!!! How is that even possible. I only had 3 big shopping bags of food. I did buy some lovely things as it’s Craig’s birthday this week, and I didn’t pick the cheapest of everything, but I never saw that coming. Before the Tesco Clubcard price reduction it was £193!!! For a weekly shop for two people?!?!? Horrifying…. 🤯
I had about 10 minutes turnaround when I got home as I was heading out to Largs with Gayle again.
I’d checked the forecast today and saw that it brightened up tonight. It was a lovely wee trip!
As we headed around the corner towards the ferry terminal I suddenly spotted the red funnels or the Paddle Steamer Waverley!!!
The tide was going out and because it’s moored at the back of the pier then I couldn’t get a decent photo!
The Loch Riddon heads over to Cumbrae.
We sat and had an ice cream sitting watching the calm tide recede…. While we talked the hind legs off a donkey!!
When two become one… the Loch Riddon with the Waverley in the background!
Hiding!!!
Some sea kayakers were out checking out the Waverley.
Loved these 3 yachts spaced out.
The kayakers heading home, as we’re we.
My photos got a bit mixed up and I’m too tired to move these next ones up to the top… Julie half a job. It’s 9.38 and I need my bed after all that sea air!!
The Rambling Sloth 🦥 