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Well that was bloomin marvellous. Set off with bike, tent, cooking stuff, some maps, addresses of a few campsites and a week to do whatever I like 🙂
Ended up having a few days on Arran and a few on Islay. Truly wonderful places. I will be back!
[url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4184/33989608443_7d0d523aca_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4184/33989608443_7d0d523aca_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/TMxCpM ]Heading to Arran![/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/simondbarnes/ ]Simon Barnes[/url], on Flickr
[url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4269/33955735374_65d4449f65_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4269/33955735374_65d4449f65_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/TJy28m ]Gull on a stormy day[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/simondbarnes/ ]Simon Barnes[/url], on Flickr
[url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4276/33956106084_6cefb268b1_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4276/33956106084_6cefb268b1_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/TJzVjU ]Campsite Life[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/simondbarnes/ ]Simon Barnes[/url], on Flickr
[url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4228/34412198400_89cdf4d6c5_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4228/34412198400_89cdf4d6c5_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/UqTvFw ]DSCF5776-01[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/simondbarnes/ ]Simon Barnes[/url], on Flickr
[url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4164/34797866815_a80c66b982_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4164/34797866815_a80c66b982_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/V1YasX ]Claonaig Ferry[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/simondbarnes/ ]Simon Barnes[/url], on Flickr
[url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4223/34797703765_32d83cf148_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4223/34797703765_32d83cf148_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/V1XjZK ]DSCF5890-01[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/simondbarnes/ ]Simon Barnes[/url], on Flickr
[url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4221/34411512730_67c1fd48d5_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4221/34411512730_67c1fd48d5_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/UqPZRC ]Seal watching![/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/simondbarnes/ ]Simon Barnes[/url], on Flickr
[url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4202/34797422265_7f922da384_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4202/34797422265_7f922da384_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/V1VTji ]Pedalling[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/simondbarnes/ ]Simon Barnes[/url], on Flickr
[url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4252/33987817513_a00878df07_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4252/33987817513_a00878df07_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/TMos2F ]Bowmore 14, Bowmore Distillery - Islay[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/simondbarnes/ ]Simon Barnes[/url], on Flickr
[url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4191/34757012426_97f6b0e229_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4191/34757012426_97f6b0e229_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/UXmLSW ]Packed up ready to leave Islay[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/simondbarnes/ ]Simon Barnes[/url], on Flickr
[url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4180/34411073930_97eb3a2f91_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4180/34411073930_97eb3a2f91_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/UqMKq7 ]Lochranza Castle Sunset - Arran[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/simondbarnes/ ]Simon Barnes[/url], on Flickr
[url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4247/34756859776_271ba7b99c_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4247/34756859776_271ba7b99c_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/UXkZv3 ]Claonaig - Lochranza Ferry[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/simondbarnes/ ]Simon Barnes[/url], on Flickr
[url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4248/34664203641_53c3312843_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4248/34664203641_53c3312843_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/UPa74t ]Campsite, Lochranza - Arran[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/simondbarnes/ ]Simon Barnes[/url], on Flickr
[url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4167/34796983175_c043199418_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4167/34796983175_c043199418_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/V1TCMM ]Nearing the end, Brodick - Arran[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/simondbarnes/ ]Simon Barnes[/url], on Flickr
Full album of pics here... https://www.flickr.com/photos/simondbarnes/albums/72157683988646556
I have fond childhood holiday memories of Arran, Islay and the surrounding area and islands.
Lovely to see your photos.
Great places for touring around. Love the castle at sunset picture.
Lovely Stuff Simon.
We have a week in Lamlash every summer, even tough it's only about 15 miles as the crow flies from where I live, It's a home from home for me.
It is becoming a little 'West-end Yummy Mummyish' but still ace, feel the shoulders relaxing as soon as I get there.
great stuff!
Fancy this one day!
did you drive up and park somewhere on the mainland?
The secure car park at the ferry terminal in Ardrossan (it would have to be secure before Iainc says it!) is only about a fiver for a weekend.
Or, it's a lot cheaper now to take the car over, about 35 quid for car and passenger return, since the introduction of RET.
Nobeerinthefridge - Member
The secure car park at the ferry terminal in Ardrossan (it would have to be secure before Iainc says it!) is only about a fiver for a weekend.
I was too busy thinking about a 'nobeer does the yummymummies' reply to get onto that one ... 😀
did you drive up and park somewhere on the mainland?
I did. Was kindly donated use of a driveway in Ardrossan 🙂
Fancy this one day!
Don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today. I wish I'd done this years ago.
The secure car park at the ferry terminal in Ardrossan (it would have to be secure before Iainc says it!) is only about a fiver for a weekend.
Surprised they let iainc on the ferry at all.
He might crash it. 😉
I know I said it on Instagram but that sunset Lochranza castle sunset shot is superb - would happliy buy that from you for a full canvas print.
It is stunning up there, my tour of the north-west mainland coast last year was just beautiful.
^^^^^^
Hey, they don't call me pugwash for nothing y'know 🙂
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😆
Disturbing lack of PPE in that photograph.
Great pics. I'm pretty sure I passed you on the road near Bowmore last week.
would happliy buy that from you for a full canvas print.
I'm not sure a filtered to **** instagram phone shot would print out that well James. If you want to try then paypal me £2350 🙂
Great pics. I'm pretty sure I passed you on the road near Bowmore last week.
Were you rushing to get to work?
Disturbing lack of [s]PPE[/s] any sense of fashion in that photograph.
Sorted for ye, Perchy...
Not to mention the T-Rex proportioned arms... 😆
cheers nobeer 🙂 I hadn't noticed my malformed arms till now, maybe that why I keep crashing 😀
Nice. I'd like to get back out to the islands in the next year or so, we stayed on Harris for a week last year and it was simply incredible. One of the best holidays I have ever had.
I was following your trip on Instagram, looks cracking, very envious!
I think that is just delightful - what bike touring is really about. Previous routes were all miles not enough looking around (my suggestions included). That sounded absolutely cracking and delightful!
Initial route plans did seem rather ambitious. Glad I went with the pedal and see where I end up one in the end. No rush, take in the stunning views. And getting to watch seals and otters was ace 🙂
I went to Islay years back, wow did it rain. It was so bad the pub nearest the bus shelter we were cowering in invited us in and gave a free soup and a Guinness as they weren't open, but felt sorry for us.....brilliant place, great pics..
Most excellent photos!
I went to Islay years back, wow did it rain
I stayed pretty dry on Islay (even got a suntan!) but did get drowned on Arran for a morning!
Simon what is that tent if you don't mind me asking?
Envious, moi?
Lucky you and beautiful pics
Simon what is that tent if you don't mind me asking?
It's an original Easton Kilo
Hoping to head to Arran in 4 weeks time, thanks for the inspiration to get my arse in gear and get the trip sorted 😀
Fabulous photos...not bad up there is it!
It's bloody lovely! And *all* of the motorists on Islay wave at you (which I found a bit strange at first!)
Some inspiring photo's there,thanks for posting.
Creg - Member
Hoping to head to Arran in 4 weeks time, thanks for the inspiration to get my arse in gear and get the trip sorted
Don't forget a midgie net. And smidge.
Like maybe take back ups of both...
Don't forget a midgie net. And smidge.Like maybe take back ups of both...
I didn't take either. Which was mostly fine as it was breezy. I did get properly attacked one evening though!