Arran - Page 2

Sundae · 03-22-2013, 06:18 AM

Got to Limey's house about a minute and a half before she returned. I just had time to scan the welcome note (including house plan to remind me where the bathroom was!) before she was in through the door herself. Larger than life and twice as kind. Height-wise I mean; this trip more than our Christmas jaunt allowed me to see her weight loss. Not as dramatic as mine but it really suits her.

Being Limey - wise and generous - she offered me sustenance and immediately after a trip out. Arran in the Spring, in the light and in the sunshine is very different than a whistle-stop tour in the dead of Winter and the fading light. It's just gorgeous.

We ended up in the Kinloch Hotel in Blackwaterfoot for tea & coffee. I watched seals sunning themselves from one of the large windows. If I had the money I'd stay there like a shot for the views alone. Although I have to admit Chez Limey is stiff competition. So no, scrap that - I'd rather stay with the Limeys than in a hotel.

Sundae · 03-22-2013, 06:24 AM

Blackwaterfoot outside.
Me on beach. Remember I have travelled overnight with virtually no sleep at this point.
Yes I am making excuses because I think I look a little raggedy.

glatt · 03-22-2013, 07:56 AM

What glorious weather! And I'm surprised at the size of that ferry. I pictured something smaller for some reason.

Sundae · 03-22-2013, 08:22 AM

That night was couscous and roasted veg night.
It was so lovely to eat with Mr & Mrs Limes, who were (undeservedly) complimentary.

Next morning I was dropped off in Whiting Bay.
The deal was that Limey drove me there and I made my own way back - by bus.
I think it was one of the many times I was offered a lift but declined. Exercise and clear air was a big part of why I was there after all.

I scrambled about on the beach and the rocks. Picked up some stones for Claudette's circle - mostly white from that beach. I also bought the two of us a libation. Two vodka miniatures (approx a double shot in each bottle.) Drank them both.

In the end Limey provided the vodka for the circle in a little flask. She managed to be both understanding and observant during my stay.

Sundae · 03-22-2013, 08:26 AM

It was my first outing in the waterproofs.
I was excited because they were labelled as "Medium"!
Wow. Not XXL. Medium.

I was dubious when Limey offered them.
I even said the noise would drive me crazy.
But wiser minds prevailed. And while I was walking Whiting Bay there were a couple of squalls that would have had me wretched within 5 minutes. Instead I felt impervious to the weather and did what I wanted.

Look!
Arran hedgehog!

Sundae · 03-22-2013, 08:28 AM

Whiting Bay shopping mall.

Sundae · 03-22-2013, 08:30 AM

Post Office Whiting Bay and me on the bus outta there.
Not to suggest I wanted out - I'd happily live there if I didn't need to earn a living. It's beautiful even in the rain and really does meet all your basic needs.

Sundae · 03-22-2013, 08:32 AM

Instead of getting the bus back to Limey's, I asked for the next village along. I felt I hadn't really walked enough (although scrambling also burns calories) and was fired up for a good walk.

Some photos of water on Arran.
Many, many more to follow.

Sundae · 03-22-2013, 08:42 AM

Off we go, through the woods to Torrylin Cairn (remains of.)
800 yards my beaver. Scotland, or Arran at least, seems to use a different method of measurement than the rest of the UK. I would suggest they measure as the crow flies.

Seems mean to cavil here though, as I actually wanted exercise and was happy to climb, descend and puff and pant.

And I felt it was worth it. Claudette was very much in my mind that day. More than usual I mean. I did cry when I got there. And on the way there. And I did shout a sweary word at the sea, which sucked it up imperviously.

glatt · 03-22-2013, 08:45 AM

that forest stream is beautiful.

Sundae · 03-22-2013, 08:46 AM

Cairn information board.
And view from same.

Sundae · 03-22-2013, 09:07 AM

Walking back through the woods.
Old trees - not managed by the Forestry Commision. A good place to see red squirrels.

Apparently.

Little squeaky bastards hid from me the whole time I was there.
There was peace in the trees though. More of that later.

Sundae · 03-22-2013, 09:14 AM

Having climbed up the steep hill to the cairn, I was able to skirt along the top on a footpath. This meant I didn't have to risk the Z bends on the road, so I was pretty chuffed.

Not far along was the Arran Creamery. Which I kept calling the Cheese Factory. Meh. They made cheese. Bought some too. Yumyum. This is what topped the tuna casserole I made on Friday.

Sundae · 03-22-2013, 09:25 AM

Creamery.
Plus the road home.

Sundae · 03-22-2013, 09:28 AM

Lambies!

And one of the views Limey has. Pretty much - it's not from her window but it's something she sees on a daily basis.

03-22-2013, 06:18 AM	#16
Sundae polaroid of perfection Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 24,185	Got to Limey's house about a minute and a half before she returned. I just had time to scan the welcome note (including house plan to remind me where the bathroom was!) before she was in through the door herself. Larger than life and twice as kind. Height-wise I mean; this trip more than our Christmas jaunt allowed me to see her weight loss. Not as dramatic as mine but it really suits her. Being Limey - wise and generous - she offered me sustenance and immediately after a trip out. Arran in the Spring, in the light and in the sunshine is very different than a whistle-stop tour in the dead of Winter and the fading light. It's just gorgeous. We ended up in the Kinloch Hotel in Blackwaterfoot for tea & coffee. I watched seals sunning themselves from one of the large windows. If I had the money I'd stay there like a shot for the views alone. Although I have to admit Chez Limey is stiff competition. So no, scrap that - I'd rather stay with the Limeys than in a hotel. Attached Images __________________ Life's hard you know, so strike a pose on a Cadillac

03-22-2013, 06:24 AM	#17
Sundae polaroid of perfection Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 24,185	Blackwaterfoot outside. Me on beach. Remember I have travelled overnight with virtually no sleep at this point. Yes I am making excuses because I think I look a little raggedy. Attached Images __________________ Life's hard you know, so strike a pose on a Cadillac

03-22-2013, 08:22 AM	#19
Sundae polaroid of perfection Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 24,185	That night was couscous and roasted veg night. It was so lovely to eat with Mr & Mrs Limes, who were (undeservedly) complimentary. Next morning I was dropped off in Whiting Bay. The deal was that Limey drove me there and I made my own way back - by bus. I think it was one of the many times I was offered a lift but declined. Exercise and clear air was a big part of why I was there after all. I scrambled about on the beach and the rocks. Picked up some stones for Claudette's circle - mostly white from that beach. I also bought the two of us a libation. Two vodka miniatures (approx a double shot in each bottle.) Drank them both. In the end Limey provided the vodka for the circle in a little flask. She managed to be both understanding and observant during my stay. Attached Images __________________ Life's hard you know, so strike a pose on a Cadillac

03-22-2013, 08:26 AM	#20
Sundae polaroid of perfection Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 24,185	It was my first outing in the waterproofs. I was excited because they were labelled as "Medium"! Wow. Not XXL. Medium. I was dubious when Limey offered them. I even said the noise would drive me crazy. But wiser minds prevailed. And while I was walking Whiting Bay there were a couple of squalls that would have had me wretched within 5 minutes. Instead I felt impervious to the weather and did what I wanted. Look! Arran hedgehog! Attached Images __________________ Life's hard you know, so strike a pose on a Cadillac

03-22-2013, 08:28 AM	#21
Sundae polaroid of perfection Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 24,185	Whiting Bay shopping mall. Attached Images __________________ Life's hard you know, so strike a pose on a Cadillac

03-22-2013, 07:56 AM	#18
glatt ™ Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 27,717	What glorious weather! And I'm surprised at the size of that ferry. I pictured something smaller for some reason.

03-22-2013, 08:30 AM	#22
Sundae polaroid of perfection Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 24,185	Post Office Whiting Bay and me on the bus outta there. Not to suggest I wanted out - I'd happily live there if I didn't need to earn a living. It's beautiful even in the rain and really does meet all your basic needs. Attached Images __________________ Life's hard you know, so strike a pose on a Cadillac

03-22-2013, 08:32 AM	#23
Sundae polaroid of perfection Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 24,185	Instead of getting the bus back to Limey's, I asked for the next village along. I felt I hadn't really walked enough (although scrambling also burns calories) and was fired up for a good walk. Some photos of water on Arran. Many, many more to follow. Attached Images __________________ Life's hard you know, so strike a pose on a Cadillac

03-22-2013, 08:42 AM	#24
Sundae polaroid of perfection Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 24,185	Off we go, through the woods to Torrylin Cairn (remains of.) 800 yards my beaver. Scotland, or Arran at least, seems to use a different method of measurement than the rest of the UK. I would suggest they measure as the crow flies. Seems mean to cavil here though, as I actually wanted exercise and was happy to climb, descend and puff and pant. And I felt it was worth it. Claudette was very much in my mind that day. More than usual I mean. I did cry when I got there. And on the way there. And I did shout a sweary word at the sea, which sucked it up imperviously. Attached Images __________________ Life's hard you know, so strike a pose on a Cadillac

03-22-2013, 08:45 AM	#25
glatt ™ Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 27,717	that forest stream is beautiful.

03-22-2013, 08:46 AM	#26
Sundae polaroid of perfection Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 24,185	Cairn information board. And view from same. Attached Images __________________ Life's hard you know, so strike a pose on a Cadillac

03-22-2013, 09:07 AM	#27
Sundae polaroid of perfection Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 24,185	Walking back through the woods. Old trees - not managed by the Forestry Commision. A good place to see red squirrels. Apparently. Little squeaky bastards hid from me the whole time I was there. There was peace in the trees though. More of that later. Attached Images __________________ Life's hard you know, so strike a pose on a Cadillac

03-22-2013, 09:14 AM	#28
Sundae polaroid of perfection Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 24,185	Having climbed up the steep hill to the cairn, I was able to skirt along the top on a footpath. This meant I didn't have to risk the Z bends on the road, so I was pretty chuffed. Not far along was the Arran Creamery. Which I kept calling the Cheese Factory. Meh. They made cheese. Bought some too. Yumyum. This is what topped the tuna casserole I made on Friday. Attached Images __________________ Life's hard you know, so strike a pose on a Cadillac

03-22-2013, 09:25 AM	#29
Sundae polaroid of perfection Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 24,185	Creamery. Plus the road home. Attached Images __________________ Life's hard you know, so strike a pose on a Cadillac

03-22-2013, 09:28 AM	#30
Sundae polaroid of perfection Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 24,185	Lambies! And one of the views Limey has. Pretty much - it's not from her window but it's something she sees on a daily basis. Attached Images __________________ Life's hard you know, so strike a pose on a Cadillac

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