Day 1570 reflections on my Waverley trip yesterday

I’ve finally stopping a-rocking and a-rolling.

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’m tempted to light the candles. 😆

Stay safe everyone ♥️♥️♥️

Day 1494 reflections on my PS Waverley trip yesterday

Oh. My. Word.

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 👌

Stay safe everyone 🚢♥️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Day 1493 sailing on the PS Waverley from Glasgow to Oban 🚢 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

I’m back on board the Paddle Steamer Waverley with Waverley Excursions.

The red line is roughly the trip we’ll be taking.

Craig got me two sailing ticket for my birthday last year and this is the first one I’m using. I wanted to sail all week but I couldn’t find accommodation in some of the places she is docking for the night. I picked the best of the bunch and despite my low mood yesterday, I’m really looking forward to it.

Very early start with the alarm set for 4.55am!

I parked the Glasgow Science Centre at 6.30am and the Waverley sailed promptly at 7am.

I had wanted to be on a Waverley cruise for the whole week but I couldn’t get accommodation booked up north so had to settle for today’s trip which is the easiest to navigate from home.

It’s much cooler this morning so I’m wrapped up. We’re expecting 18°C but in was so cold on my Ailsa Craig tour last year that I’m wrapped up well today. I am still fairly cold and regretting leaving the fur lined boots at home.

Heading under the Erskine Bridge.

Finally the sun is out. I’ve had a hot chocolate breaking my fast very early for warmth!!

Largs Ahoy!

A large ferry crossover behind the Waverley while we are docked in Largs.

Millport on Great Cumbrae.

The sun is out and while it’s hot the breeze keeps it cool. The sea is mostly calm.

They’re filming a documentary about the Waverley with David Hyman.the hope to release it this year as they’ve been filming it for years.

Sailing into Campbeltown at 12.30. I have taken two layers off. I’m still wearing 3!

Leaving Campbeltown.

Loved these cows on this tiny island. So very Scottish! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Davaar Island.

This is so similar to Ailsa Craig.

This next one is the view from the ladies toilet porthole!

This is Mull of Kintyre Lighthouse. I loved the birds in low flying formation.

They did this a lot.

The Coastguard flew out from the Mull of Kintyre and did a fly around the ship. That was really cool!

Heading towards the Sound of Islay. We were meant to sail into Port Ellen on Islay but there was a grain tanker in our berth. We had to divert to Colonsay. This shows Islay to the left and Jura to the right.

The south coast of Jura.

The Paps of Jura.

Looking back over Jura.

Stopping in Colonsay.

Colonsay looks lovely. I’ve never been here.

As I write this we are currently heading for Correyvreckan whirlpool and then into Oban.

I don’t get home until about midnight tonight so I’m going to put this out now and write about the rest tomorrow.

All I can say is, I have had the best day. I’ve been sailing since 7am and it’s now 18.30. No sadness, no low mood, just total wonder at the beauty of the trip!

Wow.

Stay safe everyone ☀️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿☀️

Day 1216 a trip on the PS Waverley from Glasgow Science Centre around Ailsa Craig and back! 🚢

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!