Beaches, Boats, Birds and a Castle. Plus a Teeny Bit of Crochet...

The final load of photos from our visit to Arran...

Criss-cross barnacled rock detail.

 Playing on the beach in the evening.

Worm cast.

 A new morning, looks like it's going to be another gorgeous day.

Looking back at our cottage, it's the right-most one of the semi-detached pair on the left.

Green and blue.

 Beach treasure - a fairly intact sea urchin. It's now back home with us, along with numerous pebbles, shells and feathers.

Sea thrift.

Beach bag. We've moved along to the sandier part of the bay...

 A & N go body-boarding while I watch and paddle again. It's the afternoon and the tide is in - I wish I'd joined them this day as the water was lovely and warm.

More evening beach activity.

A seal by me. There was a seal in the water near where the children were body-boarding - we kept seeing his head popping up and looking round.

The sun setting.

A hedgehog by N.

I loved this view of the neighbour's gate leading to the beach. It's yet another new morning, the weather isn't quite so good this day.

We head up to Lochranza to visit the castle.

Boats and castle wall.

A forbidden passageway.

Lochranza bay.

A Ship...Called...Dig...ni...ty

 On the way back to the cottage we stop at Dougrie bay, we have the beach to ourselves. The little building on the right is an old changing hut.

 A & N in the distance (you can just make out A's pink jacket), they're making more sand drawings.

 Looking inland.

 Dougrie sign.

Now back to "our" beach. The sea's a little rougher today. You can see two gull chicks on the shore near the sea, we often watched out for these chicks once we realised they were there. They're quite well camouflaged. 

 It's starting to rain.

A last beach view for the day, this time with added Scooby Doo mystery machine. Rain prevents any evening play on the beach this day.

Now to our last day...

 Yup, at the beach again!

 Purple pebbles.

 We find a real live crab.

 We make a paddling pool.

I photograph the neighbour's washing line.

A little progress has been made on yet another Eva's shawl. I wanted something to make that I didn't have to think too hard about and I do like these shawls. This is my fourth one. I love the colours of this one and am very tempted to keep it for myself but it's intended for a friend. Pattern here, yarn here.

 Thyme, it smelled delicious.

The bay at Blackwaterfoot village where the river to the sea was frequently occupied by a family of swans. Then it was time to leave...

 The view of the ferry port from where we ate our (expensive!) fish suppers.

 Here comes the ferry...

 ...we're on!

Bye bye Arran, see you again soon...