Millport

With a steady northwesterly forecast for the week we sailed from Portavadie to Millport Bay at the south end of Great Cumbrae for our first anchorage. It's a busy spot for shipping coming up the Clyde and to the Hunterson Bulk Terminal, and for yachting with Largs and Fairlie Quay just round the corner.

It also has a spectacular view of the Arran hills, with Goat Fell in the background to Chico.

New season

April 1st and it's time to leave Portavadie Marina for our season's cruising. Our plan for this summer is to stay in the Clyde for April and May, and then head down to Campbeltown to wait for suitable conditions to go round the Mull. That will leave us time to explore on our way up to Fort William, where we're due at the beginning of July.

Cruise from Loch Craignish to Loch Sween and Jura

Sunset , Loch Craignish, looking towards Ardfern Marina

Chico anchored off Eilean Mor, MacCormaig Isles.  Chapel in foreground.

Chapel of St Cormaig

Enjoying glorious weather on Eilean Mor

Splendid view of The Paps  from Loch Na Mile, Jura

Loch Craignish: looking towards Eilean Righ and Eilean Macaskin

Cruise from Holy Loch to Loch Fyne



Headling down the Firth of Clyde from the Holy Loch

Anchored off Otter Ferry, Loch Fyne

 

Walk around Barmore Island, Loch Fyne






  


Anchored off Barmore Island

View from Wreck Bay, Kyles of Bute

Ella and Alexander, two of our youngest guests, waiting to go ashore

Tall Ships 2011

 The fleet of Tall Ships leaving the Clyde was an impressive sight.  Boats of all shapes and sizes turned out for the spectacle.

The paddle steamer, Waverley, adds to the spectacle



Around Arran

Torrisdale Bay on Kintyre, looking accross to Arran.

'Lady Chico' takes a break at Torrisdale. We could have spent all week here, a deserted beach in a remote spot.

The extraordinary volcanic plug that is Ailsa Craig, affectionately known as 'Paddy's Milestone'.

Lamlash, looking more like Switzerland with Arran's mountains rearing up behind.

Out and about in the sunshine

The start of June has brought more settled weather, allowing us to get on with some painting and varnishing while visiting some delightful spots in the Firth of Clyde.

Tropical Rothesay

Historic Castle Lachlan. 

Although midsummer, the trees in the background have been damaged with salt spray from the May gale turning the foliage brown. This is a common sight on all west facing shores with deciduous trees worst affected but conifers suffering as well.

Midsummer night, with one of the most dramatic skies that I've ever seen.