Cycling Great Cumbrae then off to Tarbert

Following our relaunch, we had a full day in Largs planned, so the rented ladder could be collected. Luckily they came very early on so we had time to go on a little bike excursion. That involved heading up to Largs, then taking the elderly ferry over to Great Cumbrae island. We say elderly because, like much of the Calmac fleet, they are being kept up well beyond their normal bed time. The trip over was on a nearly 40 year old offering, the return on a sprightly youngster, ony late 30s. 

Great Cumbrae has one road that circles the island which is relatively flat and runs around the coast with good views, a trip of just over 10 miles:

It was a grey day but our view wasn't great going over to the island, just well used metal and lots of paint:

There are no pictures of the views across to the other islands / the mainland from our ride around. Why? Well it was a bit grey so nothing would have looked that exciting. After we stopped in  Millport for a soup lunch (yes, it was that kind of weather) it started raining and made the trip from Millport back to the ferry terminal a nice soggy one. No matter, the trip around the island was a good one with very little traffic indeed bar other cyclists. Returning to Largs we went up to Morrisons for more provisions (likely to be the last supermarket for a while) then headed back to the Yacht Haven. On the way, the crew recognised a lady that we'd met many many years ago in Salen on her then boat. A chat and cuddles for her lovely hound ensued.

We prepared for our departure, admiring this little boat moored near to us. We wondered if Anne (Izzy's owner) had bought and named it after her husband:

Saying our farewells to the marina team (and paying them for the visitor berthing) we saw a slightly smaller craft in the hoist being washed off - quite a capable one though:

 

No sign of a Facebook post about that lift on the Largs Yacht Haven feed - we feel honoured and almost important to have been included.

Naturally the wind started gusting as we departed and slowly crept out of the marina (just after low water, 0.9m under the keel at times) and into deeper water. We had planned Tarbet as a destination, with the added attraction of seeing Sheila and Niall whilst there and sheltering from the forecast strong winds later on. The route is lovely, weaving around the islands in the area:

Things were nice and quiet until a couple of fishing boats forced us to alter course a bit. So unusual for this area:

Things were nice and calm and we happily entered Tarbert harbour just after another Penarth marina resident - Challenge Wales. Here is a picture of her from the internet:

one of the round the world race yachts that has been repurposed as a sail training and adventure vessel.

We settled in, raided the Coop for critical things (Niall likes red wine and we were nearly out of it) and then happily welcomed them on board. Dinner was courtesy of a recommendation from Robert and Deborah - the Anchorage bistro. Limited menu but good food. In case you are interested or tempted here is the Anchorage website  link. 

As you can see, Penny the dog settled in well on board:

happily holding a sock for reasons that would be clear to any doggy behaviourist readers:

It was great to catch up with them all and kind of them to find some time in what was a manic week in their diaries. Our dilemma was where and when to move from here. The forecast had some seriously unpleasant weather coming in:

and that was allied to some rain which ended up coming pretty much horizontally across the harbour:

So, we hunkered down on board, read, baked bread, watched mindless TV, drank tea and chilled for a day until it went through. Most unseasonal stuff. When it all calmed down again we went for a good walk and spotted that the local yacht club members have a sense of humour too:

Maintenance News:

After our first proper run to get the main engine up to temperature following the lift out and coolant change, we topped up the system with around another litre of the magical blue stuff. All seemed well with the big Lugger.

For some odd reason, the stern gland was dripping more than before the lift out so that was tightened up a little. We will keep an eye (actually a temperature gun) on it during the next trip to make sure that wasn't overdone.

Annoyingly, the speed log impeller thingy which we had diligently checked before relaunch to be free and spinning nicely, decided not to until we gave the main engine a wide open throttle burst coming into Tarbert. After that, it was fine. It seems to love playing games with us.

One of the most annoying little (or it should have been little) jobs was a light above the forecabin bed. After our guests left we spotted that the switch was only working intermittently, and the "glass" in it was broken too. Sorry Sheila and Niall. So, removing it was simple enough but the spare little pieces of "glass" (actually perspex type stuff) that we had from the replaced ceiling lights were a tiny bit too big. Out with the Dremel, job done. The switch had two "on" positions so the feed wire to the bulb was soldered onto the other pole that had not been in use. It worked fine, no evidence of burning or failing contacts. All in all it took way too long and involved digging out way too many tools just to sort out a small light that we never use ourselves:

We do spoil our guests you know. They just don't appreciate how much effort we go to.