More travel woes

limey • Sep 11, 2018 5:53 am
The background info: there are two ferry routes to my island home. Ardrossan to Brodick, the main route, with two boats (the Caledonian Isles, and the Isle of Arran) operating in the summer and a choice of berths at the mainland end, the regular berth and the Irish berth. So lots of redundancy there in case of problems. Clainaig-Lochranza is the other route, about 100 miles of scenic roads further north.
The recommended service life of the boats for this type of run is 25 years, so I'm told.
The Caley Isles is now 25 years old, and the Isle of Arran is 35 years old.
A few weeks ago the Irish berth was declared unfit for use.
Last week, just after we set off worry Fanny in a jaunt to England, an unusually heavy load damaged the on and off ramps to the Caley Isles. One ramp has now been fixed but as vehicles have to turn on the deck to drive off the sailings are for cars and foot passengers only. It was planned to take Caley Isles to dry dock to fix the other ramp.
Then the MV Isle of Arran broke down in the regular berth at Ardrossan. So Caley Isles had to go to Gourock as the port of refuge on the mainland.
They've moved MV Isle of Arran, sent her for repairs, so Caley Isles is still in service taking cars and foot passengers only.
And we're on the mainland with Fanny. Meant to get home yesterday but instead have taken a 100 mile detour in an effort to get to Claonaig and home. Spent an extra night away. Have had to cancel some work.
And now the car has a flat tyre.
[emoji31]

Sent by magick
Griff • Sep 11, 2018 7:55 am
Bummage.
glatt • Sep 11, 2018 8:33 am
I'm sorry. I hope you get the tire fixed and the Northern route has room for your fanny.
limey • Sep 11, 2018 9:46 am
Spare tyre deployed.
Fanny and us taken on the wee ferry.
Puncture mended and tyre replaced on car.
Now holed up in a lay-by (pocket?) waiting for a scheduled bus to go by and then we'll be on our way.
The main thing is we're on the right side of the water now!

Sent by magick
glatt • Sep 11, 2018 9:49 am
Awesome!
xoxoxoBruce • Sep 11, 2018 11:41 am
limey;1014799 wrote:

Now holed up in a lay-by (pocket?) waiting for a scheduled bus to go by and then we'll be on our way.


Is the bus traveling in the same or opposite direction?
Roads too narrow to pass?
Being timid or courteous?
Or just taking the opportunity to spend some time in your rolling den of iniquity before returning to your roll of upstanding citizen? :haha:

Every time I see a road sign reading "Expect Delays" I think no shit, anytime I drive I expect delays.
limey • Sep 11, 2018 12:06 pm
xoxoxoBruce;1014805 wrote:
Is the bus traveling in the same or opposite direction?
Roads too narrow to pass?
Being timid or courteous?
Or just taking the opportunity to spend some time in your rolling den of iniquity before returning to your roll of upstanding citizen? :haha:

Every time I see a road sign reading "Expect Delays" I think no shit, anytime I drive I expect delays.


Bus was travelling in opposite direction, the roads are narrow and twisty and the buses are really too wide for the roads (standard size instead of dinky little buses). Being both timid and courteous I'd say.
limey • Sep 11, 2018 12:06 pm
Oh, and WE'RE HOME!
[SIZE="7"]YAAAAAAAY![/SIZE]
Clodfobble • Sep 11, 2018 12:53 pm
Hooray!
glatt • Sep 11, 2018 1:30 pm
Now, what are you going to cook for dinner? Do you have any food in the house? Or are you going back out to get a bite at the pub?
Undertoad • Sep 11, 2018 2:50 pm
a little misadventure is simply a part of it!
Gravdigr • Sep 11, 2018 5:34 pm
Dang, Limes. Having some travel troubles of late aren't we?

Sorry that your plans keep getting interrupted w/mechanical difficulties. Sooner or later, though, you'll have everything fixed/repaired/replaced.:)

You seem to take setbacks rather well. Much better than I do.
orthodoc • Sep 11, 2018 7:43 pm
Home, hooray!! To sleep in one's own bed: divine.