Given the beautiful scenery and sunset last night , today dawned a bit disappointing. We woke to Drizzle and low cloud . All the colours from yesterday gone , to be replaced by a 100 shades of grey . After breakfast we got the dinghy ready and set off to the beach near the castle. Our friends that were camping nearby had invited us for coffee …… about 10 minutes walk from the beach. It was just dull at this point and we left the dinghy on the beach attached to a rock. The tide was going out( I’d worked that out!) so we didn’t have to lug the dinghy any distance thank goodness. The campsite borders the river / stream which runs down to the loch and supplies the distillery……they seem to be almost as prevalent as ferries! It was lovely to see Ed and Kirsty, Flo and Fin. Despite the pretty atrocious weather they’d had they were remarkably happy but probably looking forward to ditching the camping idea and moving to the very posh house in saddel bay (for a family celebration) the day after tomorrow! Happy birthday Lee!! We made our way back to the boat and just as we clambered on board the heavens opened. Suffice to say the rest of the day was a bit of an endurance test. Doing everything wet is miserable. The wind kept moving around and we couldn’t really sail. We were hoping to get some great views of goat fell as we passed by on the east side of Arran, but not a chance! We had originally planned to go to lamlash but on passing Brodick which apparently also had visitors moorings, we decided to cut our journey short. Also we’d never been here before and it’s always nice to go somewhere new. We picked up a mooring no problem…. 15 moorings and only us!! The town on the front opposite looked inviting… bustling shops and maybe the odd eatery or two! However….. it was still raining heavily and there’s really no fun in getting even more soaked than you already are….. so we decided to watch from afar, put the dinghy away, and put up with home cooked dinner instead . One issue here to remember, is that the ferry terminal is not far away and each time it comes in, which seems to be at a rate of knots….. it’s bow wave sets up a massive swell which rocks the boat around mercilessly for a good half an hour. Rather hoping the ferries stop running soon! Also a rather nice paddle steamer came in ……… presumably an original….. maybe a day trip or cruise up and down the Clyde from somewhere????
So this evening will be watching tv ( if we can get it) and an early night! Hopefully it’ll have stopped raining tomorrow!!
What I have learned today……….it’s probably worth bashing on till you reach your planned and more protected destination ☹️…………..
Lochranza castle 
Bus stop ( note chairs??) in Lochranza 
Goat fell 
Goat fell from a different viewpoint 
Brodick 
Paddle steamer
Always a ferry!
Angelique 