To Kintyre

On the way to the ferry at Portavadie we had a coffee at Botanica at the Barn. There was a choice of tempting cakes but when we ordered they were still in the oven. So I had a sourdough chilli beef snack instead.

Two cyclists had passed us in the opposite direction but such is the compact peninsula that we met them again here. They were clearly touring with all their gear on board but I was surprised how compact it all was.

They have been cycling north from Sussex for seven weeks and thus they know what to carry. In fact they really started in Jan 2019 when they flew to Mexico and then cycled through South America. It was CoVID19 that thwarted this trip and they eventually came home for lockdown.

It wasn’t surprising to see them eating everything as they can’t keep up with the calories expended!

At Portavadie Marina we wowed at the sheer opulence and wondered whether £30 would have been a good fee after all for an overnight pitch. Certainly the sea-going people like their luxuries when they are ashore. The heated showers / drying rooms would be welcome I’m sure. 

Then we took the ferry to Tarbert on Kintyre. This is another turn-up-and-go route and we only had to wait 25 minutes or so and then it arrived. There was no docking, it slid the loading plate up the ramp and presumably held it there with the engine.

We didn’t stop in Tarbert, that might happen later. Instead we headed down the east side and turned off towards Skipness, where there were reports of pull-ins used by motor homes etc.

We found what turned out to be a fantastic spot and we stayed for two nights. It’s opposite Arran and close to the summer only ferry that runs constant in daylight hours to and fro from just up the road.

Yet again we had to collect rubbish before we felt comfortable. Who are these people?

That evening only one vehicle passed in the entire night. It was idyllic. The view is to die for. We listened to the constant sound of rutting stags and watched the very few lights on Arran