Another bright day. On the agenda today ….a lot of domestics before Alice and Will due to arrive lunchtime ish. First call for J was trying to get his computer sorted so emails And phone calls to Barry ( Mr fixit in Troon) eventually reaped reward and it appears it has once more sprung into life thank goodness! I had laundry to do and Morrison’s trip for the usual grocery shopping. Plus getting the boat ready for Alice and Will who are joining us for a few days. Will lives on the Isle of Man and because of The very strict covid restrictions there, they have hardly seen each for the duration of the pandemic. It’s a brilliant laundry room with efficient machines and easy to follow instructions! Julian also mended the yellow bucket and shortened the net which wouldn’t fit in the locker.
A and W arrived about 1330 and to Sunshine! We set off an hour or so later from Troon across to Arran bound for Lamlash. Really sunny and light winds to begin with but gradually increased to a force 4/5 as we got nearer. Julian has had a previous experience in Lamlash where it is not the easiest place to anchor and although all the books say there are 25 visitors moorings, the reality is somewhat different! There were a lot of blue and yellow buoys which looked a bit forlorn and with no ropes or trots ( small buoys) attached…… so basically impossible to attach to in any wind. We finally spotted one quite far in which seemed to have a rope attached to it. As luck would have it I managed to pick it up and lo and behold a good strop and loop…. even if there was no trot. Excellent result! Until I realised that the boat hook hook bit, had completely jammed into the plastic tubing around the rope meaning I couldn’t either let it go or bring it on board☹️. Fortunately ( as I was thinking I might have to lose the boathook) Alice managed to reach Down and get it on board . Yay! Finally attached to a rather neglected and weedy buoy but no worries! Supper was a lovely ragout that veggie Alice had bought with her. An ottolenghi recipe no less and very delicious. It was quite late by the time we finished so just had time for one round of the category game ( thank you Isla!) before turning in. The sea had settled down by this time and all was quiet and peaceful…….
What I learned today: to try not to pick up the tubing on a rope strop if there is some…..but actually not sure this is a controllable one!
Sue x
Will and Alice 
Sunlit sea 
Holy island 
Alice 
Angelique 