Brodrick, Isle of Arran (Day 2)

Our lady neighbour last night appeared outside with three dogs and a cat. She lived in her motorhome, working in the bar of a nearby hotel. We talked a while about the usual topics associated with van life. We also discussed the weather, which she never checked. It was, what it was.

This morning we were surprised to awake to sunshine. Today was supposed to be grim. Before breakfast, Angela took a walk out by the nearby beach bar, and did a little hand washing.

Then we moved up onto the seafront to park and visit the tourist office, ferry terminal, a few shops, stopping for coffee before a walk on the shore. By now light rain had crept in, but the sun persisted so we decided to drive down the coast to Corrie where we parked on the harbour side between two other vehicles.

John spoke to one couple about cycle touring and Angela to the others about, who else, Muddy Marge. We were only fifteen miles from Lochranza, where we arrived by ferry from Claonaig a few days ago, do decided to drive through the mountains back there. Arran, Scotland in miniature it certainly is. The drive through the mountains, wind buffeting Marge from the side, made us feel we were back in the Highlands. But the rain eased and we were able once again to sit out enjoy our afternoon refreshment at the Sandwich Station.

The little cafe is right opposite the bus shelter and ferry port. As in most of the islands bus shelters dining chairs have been placed alongside the bench seating. We've seen this before, and we liked the idea of it. If the forecast for tonight would have been more favourable we would have liked to stay over this side of the island for our last night. But alas it is not looking good. Heavy rain and winds gusting at 44 mph means we must stay once again at Brodick as it is more sheltered. 

Brodick, Isle of Arran

Last night as we settled into bed once again disappointed by England's performance in the euros, we could hear a hoot of an owl, the baa of a lamb calling for it's mother and the couple in the motorhome next to us rearranging the whole interior of the van until after half past midnight. Great. Angela hates it. It's happened to us a few times before and we can never understand what's wrong with these people! Setting up your bed is one thing, what else needs attending to! And then, despite a wind speed of 6 mph forecast the wind got up.

We were parked up above Pladda Isle with a view across to Ailsa Craig, so the spot was very exposed.

A few hours sleep and we were up to catch the low tide down at Kildonan beach so we could see the dinosaur footprints. Then a drive back to the car park at East Mor waterfall for breakfast before driving the challenging road to Arran's main town Broderick to pick up some shopping and walk the fisherman's walk to Brodick Castle.

The walk was pleasant and we managed somehow to walk around the castle gardens for free. Five miles later, back in Brodick we bought Costa's and reduced price ginger cake from the coop and sat on the seafront in the sun. Yes the sun! We were roasting, the Scottish must have been melting! But despite a warm evening the weather is turning and tonight, winds of around 24 mph are forecast. Tomorrow winds of 40 mph and heavy rain. Come on Scotland give us a break! Most of the other vans are on the seafront tonight. Just us and a motorhome are hunkered down outside the Arran Mountain Rescue premises hoping to be more sheltered. Through the trees is a beautiful beach with views across Brodick bay. It's a great spot, and would be popular if the weather was settled. If any of you park up here please leave a donation in the honesty box. These people are volunteers, doing a necessary and very good job.

Near Kildonan, Isle of Arran

Last night's stop in the woods made a nice change. Nearby someone had placed a small card on the Forestry notice board which read, thank you for looking after nature, beauty and history'.  It's our pleasure. A Scottish man who'd also walked down to the Kings Cave couldn't understand why we wanted it to be warmer, he thought it was warm, and said, he was 'roasting'. 

First job this morning, showers. John had contacted a nearby campsite who were quite happy for us to use their facilities at a cost of four pounds each. Perfect. And we were able to top up our drinking water as well.

Then on to today's destination, Eas Mor waterfall. The drive there was a little challenging. The roads here are narrow with lots of up hill and down dale and a few hair pin bends thrown in for a little more excitement. Our main reason for visiting this area was to visit the 'library in the woods'.

The walk to and from it was magical, through vibrant green ferns, past slippery rocks green with algae over which peaty water tumbled and layers of geology dating back thousands of years towered.

The little library hidden in the woods is full of visitors creations and books. We added to the messages by leaving one from Angela for her mum, and one from John on behalf of his daughter for her grandad. Despite a little drizzle we decided to take the long walk back to the car park walking up steep inclines past wooden sculptures and fallen trees.

Our reward for completing the walk, coffee and cake at the cafe, the interior stunning, with amazing woodwork a feature on the walls and five star toilets. Talking of toilets.

Out in the woods around a large fire pit, where a few nights ago a large party took place to welcome in the summer solstice there was a composting toilet. Thankfully our little Boxio compost loo doesn't look like that one!!

Kings Cave Forestry Car Park, Isle of Arran

Yesterday evening the weather was beautiful. How long had we waited? And a sunset, the sky slowly turning pink, purple and then grey. The silhouettes of the wind turbines back on the mainland visible in the changing light.

This morning it was situation normal. Rain. We know in England you are experiencing glorious warm sunny weather. Don't complain it's too hot!

Today we wanted to visit both the standing stones on Machrie Moor and the Kings Cave on the nearby coast. The car park at the standing stones soon filled up. We were a little taken back at how many visitors there were. We've become used to being very much alone when we visit anywhere. Whilst there, a lady pointed out a Golden Ringed dragonfly devouring a bumble bee behind one of the stones.

 Astonishing. We'd never seen this before, never imagined that bees would be on the menu for this flying insect. The stones were fascinating, and the views along the path superb. Back at the parking area a family of Americans were readying to set off. The mother telling the children excitingly that 'they we're going to get to walk with sheep in a field'. Something we've done almost every day since arriving in Scotland. The sheep own the land in these parts.

Next stop the Kings Cave a mile away. Another long circular walk beginning with a steep climb up through the pine trees emerging to sweeping mountain and far teaching coastal views, before a descent down to a Stony Beach. The King Cave is one among many caves. It is where Robert Bruce supposedly hid and watched a spider spin a web, failing many times, but after much persistence completing it. It inspired him to return to fight and defeat the English at the battle of Bannockburn. The caves now, home to many piles of stacked rocks left by the visitors. Many years ago they were an ideal place for smugglers to store their bounty, and we could see why, they're huge. The walk back up from the shore was difficult. John held onto Angela advising her not to look left. She didn't. 

Arran is described as Scotland in miniature, and today we could see why. Stunning mountain and coastal views. Walks over moorland and through forests of scotch pine trees grown for timber. We've been here two days now and look forward to exploring more over the next three before we leave. Let's hope the warm weather from England finds its way up here.