Millport

We set off from the Royal hotel Tighnabruich in a glassy calm heading down the West Kyle, the plan was to go to Cunbrae centre and spend the night on their pontoon going back into Largs marina in the morning for the repair to the masthead and new quick drop system etc.

The wind began to fill in after an hour or so and as we approached Inchmarnock sound Dark Tarn was romping along showing an unbelievable 9 knots on the speedo for a short while. Speed remained high as we entered Bute Sound and then at the south end of Bute the wind veered to the SW and almost died away completely, we ghosted along at 2-3 knots reluctant to start the engine as it was such a beautiful day with barely a cloud in the sky.

As we ate lunch we listened to a search by the Troon ILB who were seemingly looking for a person in the water off Troon golf club, about 30 miles from us.

Approaching wee Cumbrae island the wind again did an about face and went back to the N E, giving us a nice lift into Millport. The mooring buoys in Millport have no pick up bouys and a rather small and difficult to thread shackle on the top, nevertheless, Lynne and I were prepared and lassoed the bouy prior to threading the shackle from the dinghy, all went very well even if I say so myself!

The heat by this time was intense (I know difficult to believe for Scotland but nonetheless true) so I had to have a swim to cool off, several in fact.

After a meal later we rowed ashore for a pleasant stroll around the seafront at Millport