Arran
 

AKA Claudette Memorial Trip. But it would be both arrogant and maudlin to title the thread that way.

I leave here tomorrow, mid-morning to go to Luton (approx 1.5 hour bus journey) for my appointment with a liver consultant. From there I need to get a bus to the airport, as there is a regular servoce that runs into London from there. Buses are subject to more delays than trains, but they are a heck of a lot cheaper.

The Luton-London bus takes me straight into Victoria, where I am booked onto the overnight coach to Glasgow.
By my reckoning I should be ridiculously early (I have been every time!) so I might bail out to the nearby Sainsburys to get some provisions, as I've just got my Nectar points through (loyalty card which gives money saving vouchers.)

Spend the night in the washing machine that is the overnight coach, then about an hour to walk to Glasgow Central Station and the boat train to Arran. It won't take an hour, that's just the timeframe.

Bus runs clockwise around the island, which will be a real treat - I've said before I've always wanted to do it. From what I can remember, Limey lives at about 40 ack emma. Certainly a good way round anyway. They don't have bus stops either! I have instructions and an address and will just act the dumb - but very polite - Sassenach and he should put me down in the right place.

Camera on charge.
Barring previous camera mishaps when travelling to Scotland, I should be able to document the whole thing.
And I will say it now so I don't repeat it ad nauseum - this trip is because of Claudette (the Limeys are taking me in to take care of me) and also in her memory. Limes and I will have our own ceremony on Thursday, or if not then as close as we can.

Limes has lost other people very dear to her, and I know I am better getting through this with her than without. She also knows about my drinking and my various tricks, so I can't bullshit her. Bri would approve.

I don't expect to post again until I am Chez Limey, at least not in this thread.
I hope no-one finds this too self-indulgent.

Reported meet-ups :hug: is not self indulgent, it's mandatory, as are pictures.
Have a smooth journey.

Have a great trip! I'm envious. I'd love to see Arran and to meet you both for tea.

I always miss out on the Arran stretch of the Glasgae gtg, because of doggy responsibilities.

One day i will make it over. I will, I will!

Chezzer: Have a good trip, m'dear. I can't think of better company or a better place in which to enjoy it.

The cats at Chateau Limey are keenly awaiting the arrival of their new heated seating guest.

silver sliver...

hahahahahahahaha!

:apaw::apaw: No sooner did Sundae arrive than she set off again on a quick driving tour with Limey because the weather is great today, but who knows what tomorrow will bring? The Limeys made Sundae cook dinner which they declared YUMMY. We are waiting for Sundae to settle onto the sofa before we make our move ... :apaw::apaw:

Trip to Arran.
I got the bus from the hospital to Luton central, and thought I'd have to get another bus to the airport. Turns out there was a bus waiting just across the road which went to London VIA the airport. Worked out well - got on and had luggage stashed, got double-seat.

Snowing in Luton that day, the whole time I was there. Didn't settle, but made me unsettled re what would be waiting for me on my journey further North. Luton is North of Aylesbury, London is South of both. So effectively I would be retracing my route once I got on the coach in London, but it's an express so you have to go to London to catch it regardless. £10 isn't a bad fare, given it's now over £20 from Aylesbury to London.

Got to Victoria with time to spare. SO... MUCH... TIME...
Did reading and drinking water and toilet breaks (30p!) and just couldn't wait for a warm coach and a snug berth.

Didn't get.

The sleeper coach broke down before it got to Victoria.
We were loaded onto a normal coach. No bunks, no welcome tea & snacks, no breakfast in the morning. Just traffic all night North. Multiple stops for complaining drivers, yap yap yap. Cold air and noise and discomfort. I dozed off between about 05.00 and 06.30. Refund due to Limey - hope this reminds her to claim it.

My bag weighed a ton. Well, it was heavy.
I lugged it out of Buchanan Street Bus Station and stood wondering at the map. I had to get to Glasgow Central Station (I've only travelled to Queens Street before - except with Limey guiding me) when a friendly Glaswegian asked if I need help. He gave me clear and simple instructions and made it sound much closer than the map suggested.

Not only that, but having followed his route, he popped up as I was crossing a junction and pointed out a billboard to me, saying it was just above the station. Bless him. It was downhill all the way at least.

So there I was, on time, at Glasgow Central station. Too weary from dragging my bag to take any photos but on the train to Ardrossan Harbour on time and okay. With a bagel. My naughty excess to replace my missing breakfast. 08.20 is bagel time, right?

It's a certain kind of hell, having to shuffle across town on only a few hours uncomfortable sleep, dragging your heavy luggage. Why don't they ever put bus stations and train stations (and airports) in the same place?

they say....

They say there are only two kinds of people in the world, those who pack light, and those who wish they had.

Easy, train stations came first and blocks of businesses grew up around them, so when the bus stations were built everything close was taken. They could plan some inexpensive, convenient means of shuttling, but I wonder if Glasgow has enough traffic to justify it.

And airports, well they have their own issues, some are so big you have to catch a bus or cab between terminals. :haha:

... and those who fall into pot-holes and sheep shit or have to ford streams and wish they'd brought more clothes...

I don't think I over-packed.
I wasn't trekking.
And in a cold, damp, climate you wear whatever is available.
Many blessings on Limey and her waterproofs. 3 falls out of 4 resulted in no injury.

Get what you're saying. But my only wheelie bag is now is the biggun. So I might as well fill it. The 'rents promised to replace my suitcases when I moved in (because they were SO enormous and took up so much room) but that's gone by the by.

Never mind - given the £ I can still travel. That's gotta be good.

So, on to the ferry. The day was bright and clear and it was obvious I'd see Arran for the first time in sunlight. Happy days.

The higher ground is covered in snow, and remained so throughout my visit.
But it was warm Spring weather for pretty much the rest of the island.

Limey was busy when I arrived, but had given me careful instructions of which bus to catch and the address to give the bus driver so that I would be set down in the right place. It worked.

Brodick and the boat I came in on.

Got to Limey's house about a minute and a half before she returned. I just had time to scan the welcome note (including house plan to remind me where the bathroom was!) before she was in through the door herself. Larger than life and twice as kind. Height-wise I mean; this trip more than our Christmas jaunt allowed me to see her weight loss. Not as dramatic as mine but it really suits her.

Being Limey - wise and generous - she offered me sustenance and immediately after a trip out. Arran in the Spring, in the light and in the sunshine is very different than a whistle-stop tour in the dead of Winter and the fading light. It's just gorgeous.

We ended up in the Kinloch Hotel in Blackwaterfoot for tea & coffee. I watched seals sunning themselves from one of the large windows. If I had the money I'd stay there like a shot for the views alone. Although I have to admit Chez Limey is stiff competition. So no, scrap that - I'd rather stay with the Limeys than in a hotel.

Blackwaterfoot outside.
Me on beach. Remember I have travelled overnight with virtually no sleep at this point.
Yes I am making excuses because I think I look a little raggedy.

What glorious weather! And I'm surprised at the size of that ferry. I pictured something smaller for some reason.

That night was couscous and roasted veg night.
It was so lovely to eat with Mr & Mrs Limes, who were (undeservedly) complimentary.

Next morning I was dropped off in Whiting Bay.
The deal was that Limey drove me there and I made my own way back - by bus.
I think it was one of the many times I was offered a lift but declined. Exercise and clear air was a big part of why I was there after all.

I scrambled about on the beach and the rocks. Picked up some stones for Claudette's circle - mostly white from that beach. I also bought the two of us a libation. Two vodka miniatures (approx a double shot in each bottle.) Drank them both.

In the end Limey provided the vodka for the circle in a little flask. She managed to be both understanding and observant during my stay.

It was my first outing in the waterproofs.
I was excited because they were labelled as "Medium"!
Wow. Not XXL. Medium.

I was dubious when Limey offered them.
I even said the noise would drive me crazy.
But wiser minds prevailed. And while I was walking Whiting Bay there were a couple of squalls that would have had me wretched within 5 minutes. Instead I felt impervious to the weather and did what I wanted.

Look!
Arran hedgehog!

Whiting Bay shopping mall.

Post Office Whiting Bay and me on the bus outta there.
Not to suggest I wanted out - I'd happily live there if I didn't need to earn a living. It's beautiful even in the rain and really does meet all your basic needs.

Instead of getting the bus back to Limey's, I asked for the next village along. I felt I hadn't really walked enough (although scrambling also burns calories) and was fired up for a good walk.

Some photos of water on Arran.
Many, many more to follow.

Off we go, through the woods to Torrylin Cairn (remains of.)
800 yards my beaver. Scotland, or Arran at least, seems to use a different method of measurement than the rest of the UK. I would suggest they measure as the crow flies.

Seems mean to cavil here though, as I actually wanted exercise and was happy to climb, descend and puff and pant.

And I felt it was worth it. Claudette was very much in my mind that day. More than usual I mean. I did cry when I got there. And on the way there. And I did shout a sweary word at the sea, which sucked it up imperviously.

that forest stream is beautiful.

Cairn information board.
And view from same.

Walking back through the woods.
Old trees - not managed by the Forestry Commision. A good place to see red squirrels.

Apparently.

Little squeaky bastards hid from me the whole time I was there.
There was peace in the trees though. More of that later.

Having climbed up the steep hill to the cairn, I was able to skirt along the top on a footpath. This meant I didn't have to risk the Z bends on the road, so I was pretty chuffed.

Not far along was the Arran Creamery. Which I kept calling the Cheese Factory. Meh. They made cheese. Bought some too. Yumyum. This is what topped the tuna casserole I made on Friday.

Creamery.
Plus the road home.

Lambies!

And one of the views Limey has. Pretty much - it's not from her window but it's something she sees on a daily basis.

Off to Kildoran.
Four mile walk. Sounds good. Waterproofs as usual.

About 2/3 of the way there I am adopted by a dog. A farm dog by the looks of it - has a collar but I don't want to get too close. I'm not afraid, I just don't want to establish even a fleeting relationship.

Anyway, it skitters and clicks its way in front of me, checking I am coming up behind. It obviously has traffic sense and knows the roads. I was just worried a local might shout at me to keep my dog on a lead. But as Mr Limey pointed out later, a local would recognise the dog anyway.

It stayed with me until I got to the beach, then went its own sweet way.
Despite my worries I was pleased by its company. Wish I'd taken a photo.

Scrambled around on this beach too.
Got the mauve stones for Bri here. And one for me. I'm going to paint her name on it and keep it as a small treasure.

More running water.

Bus back, despite Limey offering a lift. She was working from home and I felt the least I could do was not bother her.

Road to the sea from the bus stop.
Lane down to the hotel from same.

What, no picture of the dog? Damn mutter cat grumble people... http://cellar.org/2012/bwekk.gif

Stylin' lid, homegrrl.


When you say "It seems mean to cavil..." do you use 'mean' as in stingy, or unkind?

I have no idea what stylin' lid means!
Nice hat?

I used mean to suggest I was being unfair and unappreciative.
After all these poor people dragged/ rolled/ manhandled enormous pieces of rock to this location, simply so I could turn up in the 21st century and bitch about whether 800 yards is really 800 yards.

Stylin' lid does mean nice hat!

In that case, ta Foot!

Just talked to both the Limes.
They are effectively snowed in.
No electricity, but they are prepared for that.
Open fire and camping stove and all that and everything.

Damn.
Wish I was there.

I want to live there! Gorgeous.

Wiki says May and June are the sunniest months, 200 hours of bright sunshine each year.
Hmm, 61 days is 1464 hours. With 15 hours of daylight at the first of May, and 17 hours at the end of June, that's 950/1000 hours of daylight.

That's the trouble with beautiful places, they take so much maintenance. ;)

Snowing here today as well!
Still wish I was snowed in on Arran.

We went back to Brodick that afternoon, as the Limeys had some teaching to do on the brass front. I had a lovely wander. Went down the the charity shop (closed) and into the chocolate shop just for a sniff, and really just poked about in the sunshine.

When the Limeys were through I met them at the library. Limey had taken out a book for me - she thought she had it at home but wasn't sure (she did, as it turned out.) Riddley Walker by Russell Hoban. Vastly under-rated book in my opinion, in that I had never even heard of it, but it was extraordinary.

All three of us (four if you include Riddley) headed off to the largest supermarket on the island, the Co-op, for snacks for the evening of horror DVDs. Vegetable crisps in case you're interested.

Gorgeous pics; I wish I could visit. Thanks for sharing, Sundae.

Yah, we're under a deep snow fall right now as well. It's been snowing non-stop since early hours of yesterday morning. With very high winds that have swept and scoured the snow into a strange alien landscape. And every time I open my front door, a small wall of snow falls into my kitchen :p


Gorgeous pics as per, dahling. Very nice. I just wish I could have joined ya :)

And so to the reason for the trip.
A day I was anticipating and dreading. And I've seen it approaching in the photos and felt the same.
How can I possibly do it justice?

I hope I don't come across too cold. The feelings were there, I just don't want to belittle them with purple prose.

Limey chose the location. Being a local and all. We went to Machrie Moor, where there are a number of standing stones and stone circles. You may not be able to read all the text from these photos, but if you are interested you can look them up. As far as I am concerned, the most important information is in the second photo.

Requiescat in pace, Claudette.

As I've said in the Trilby thread, this was a bit of a trek.
In the Summer, in flipflops and sunshine, it would be a lovely stroll. In the Spring (ha!) it was rainy, muddy, cold. On the way there it felt like we walked five miles, although on the way back the two miles signposted did seem realistic.

The landscape there is littered with age-old memorials.
It's very sobering. In the midst of life etc.
Kiss someone or something today, even if it's a pet.

.

We walked past a number of standing stones and circles.
This one just felt right.
There was a stone I was drawn to. As I went around it I saw the moss? lichen? on the other side. As Mark Gatiss says as Mick McNamara, "Life finds a way."

Here is me.
Cold and sad.
But Limey gives very good hugs.

Details of our goodbye to Claudette here (Cellar link).

I am in awe.

Thanks for sharing Sundae. A brighter day is coming ...

Well now.
It seems to be wrong moving on so quickly from death to life. It didn't feel like that in the course of hours though.

Saturday was the day when the K social club opened. It was a big deal. Limes was woven into the very carpet of it; it could not have happened without her. So of course I wanted to be there too. And it was catered. Blimey, I can't think of a more relevant wake for Brianna. Apart from the fact that the woman wasn't there. Damn, she was never present in reality, how come she's so absent in my life now?

Mr & Mrs Limey went to the social club at about 18.00.
I knew there'd be nothing for me to do other than sit and drink. So I agreed to get the bus about 20.00. I was all ready to leave - dressed to impress and the house in decent condition - at about 19.40. I decided I would set off on foot.

Okay I am wearing my slightly stack-heeled boots, but I wore them up to Glasgow and found them damned comfortable. And I had Lola's torch (flashlight) to light the way. I even had an umbrella because that night the rain was light and there was very little wind.

Perfick.

AH. No.
Bus went past me outside the Creamery (cheese factory)
I lost my perspective. I was so close to the hall, and having successfully beaten the bus I started casting the torch further ahead. Missed the deep and muddy pothole by my feet. There was a sickening lurch as I fell into it. I wanted to cry. I'd made a real effort that night and I'd walked nearly two miles and I was sober and all that. And yet I was going to turn up at the door as a shambling wreck.

I held my tears in.
I got to the door.
Mr Limey greeted me and was appalled by my injuries. Most of which were dealt with by a trip to the Ladies to be honest.

Limey was already on stage. Mr Limey got me a drink and steered me into the hall.
I was punctured, but happy. Twas a good evening.

It's been a week, but I'm still bruised. Must remember to take a pic for you.
Limey modelling her band "uniform". They all wear black ('cept the singer)

Limes chooses the Cellar. Good girl.

Me.
Well, there are never enough photos of me on the Cellar, right?

Taken in dim light, so although Limey kindly took about four, the only one in focus was me looking away from the camera.
I've included a blurry one as proof.
And it shows Limey's gorgeous house and the room we ate in every evening.

Oh, forgot to mention I fell into a muddy, deep pothole in a dry-clean only silk skirt.
£12.50 to clean.
I bought it for about a quarter of that amount.

Send all donations to Claudette's family.

Just went though this entire thread. Absolutely amazing.

Where you went, how you traveled, all the walking. The scenery ... OMG. Unreal no words. And you. My goodness, you look beautiful. You seem to be 1/2 the woman you were - and I mean that in a good way ;)

There's Limey. Luckily she's taken or I'd be thinking of making a major move east across the sea. lol

This thread is awesome. I have been seeing the posts as they've come in, but I just went back and read again from the start. Taken together it reads like the very best travel literature. Not the guide books, but the tales of real travel and real people and an emotional core. You have the knack of bringing your reader right into the picture.

And it was lovely to be able to share in your tribute to our dear friend. Really means a lot that.

Also: you and Limes both look so great. You've got some excellent snaps there.


[eta] Boots look fine, girl, really fine.

Sundae, off to Eas Mor Falls.
Sunday too.
I'd asked Limey if it was worth seeing because I passed the sign on my way to Kildoran. She said it depended on the recent rainfall. Given that I'd been rained on every day since I arrived (okay, not the day I arrived) I guessed it was worth a trip. Limey was working again, but I was happy to walk the three miles to the turn-off. She agreed to pick me up.

Only I didn't have to walk - hahaha.
I was about a mile and a half down the road when a black shiny car pulled up and offered me a lift.
Well it was so black and so shiny and it was raining so how could I refuse?
Lovely Scottish couple. Came to Arran this time every year to avoid the tourists. I mean, yes they were lovely, but they were obviously crackers. They CHOSE to come in the rain/ sleet/ hail / snow (all of which I saw)?

I could understand the lady, but the man was frankly unintelligible to me. Bless him. Anyway, they took me to the turn-off and wished me well.

Limes said that the initial climb was a bit taxing. Or something like that. Something that suggested it might be like dragging a bag across Glasgow.

NO.

It was torture. I had to stop every hundred yards to catch my breath. My heart decided it didn't want to be in my body any more. At least that's how it felt when it was trying to beat an exit. Steep?! I should bloody cocoa.

But it was marvellous too. Every other step raised you above the road and looking back after ten steps showed an amazing achievement. And it was soon done, for all my moaning. Underneath the chubby outside I am actually quite fit, something I hope Limey will attest to when she is finally back on the National Grid (oh, the power outage on Arran is now national news.)

The falls were gorge. In a gorge, ya get me?
You could hear them from quite a way off.
The only insect in the ointment was a biker. Cyclist. Set off after me, but overtook me. Lean and muscular but even he had to carry his bike up the steep parts.

What an annoyance. Sunday morning, MARCH! cold and wet and I still don't have the place to myself. Ridiculous. But I channelled peace. It's hard not to in a place like that.

The woods were lovely, green and deep.
And this was just the beginning. You could hear the road from here.
M. Biker had climbed over the fence to get a closer look at the Falls. Rather him than me, I still had the memory of last night's Fall in my mind. A slip from the top of there would result in more than a muddy skirt.

Onwards and upwards, as Limey and I said many times during my visit.

Given that Bike Chap had headed over the bridge to the little community centre, I decided not to dog his steps. And given that I hadn't walked the full three miles, I thought the further walk, to Loch Garbad (a mile it said) would be good further exercise.

I'm glad I did.
The silence and peace in the woods was almost tangible. On the way back I sneezed and it rang around the forest like a maroon. But I'm getting ahead of myself here.

Thank goodness for boots (wellies, not stack heels) and waterproofs. It was almost all uphill and I felt like I was Bilbo Baggins. Without the company. Nothing like home, it felt so remote. I forgave it the petty annoyances of mud, water, rain and climbs. Maybe the Scottish couple weren't fruitloops after all - I can't imagine better weather to make this journey in.

Stream.
Stream across the track.
Not the last I would encounter either.

And water. Always water. To offset the silence of the trees.