The weather has finally picked up, still showers but some sunshine between these and the wind has allowed us to sail at last. Our first night's stop was the brand new 5 star world class marina of Portavadie. Sitting on the shore of Loch Fyne just a few miles north of the Isle of Arran it is a "modern gem set amid the stunning West coast scenery" according to the brochure.
Portavadie lives up to its reputation. It is a 230 berth, attractive, upmarket marina built on an old industrial site used for building oil platforms. It has very tasteful flats, a restaurant and a stunning spa and leisure centre. The facilities were very good including a drying room for wet sailing gear so it was useful as we had all got soaked doing the last couple of locks on the Crinan Canal. There was even a family bathroom complete with a large bath, wet room, his and hers vanity units, fresh towels and a TV! We had never encountered anything like it!! In the leisure centre was an indoor pool and an outside heated infinity pool and several Jacuzzi's. So for me it was heaven and Frank and I went for a swim the following morning, firstly doing laps in the indoor pool and then enjoying a lazy swim in the outdoor pool followed by a coffee in the café. We were chatting to a couple of older men in the outdoor pool who said they use it in October in the snow! The view from the outdoor pool was stunning and it was lovely to have some luxury.
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| The outdoor infinity pool at Portavedie. |
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CalMac ferry
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The next day we headed off around the Isle of Bute and then north to Largs, an even bigger marina with 730 berths. With so many islands here there are lots of little ferries criss- crossing the sea.
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| Largs Marina |
We did manage to sail most of the way without getting too wet, and arrived by five in the afternoon.
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| Approaching Largs marina. |
The following day was Sunday and it was raining as usual so we decided to have a lazy day and read the papers. We were taken out to lunch by Frank and Steph at Scotts Bar and Restaurant at the marina, which would not have been out of place in London. It was very good and we were treated to pink champagne which made my day.
After our late lunch the rain stopped and the sun came out and it was a beautiful evening so we decided to go for a stroll along the coastal path towards Largs, about a mile away. We passed what appeared to be an old monument, known locally as the pencil, which had been built in 1902 to commemorate the battle between the Scots and the Norwegians in 1263. The Norwegians had a hold over the North West and the islands of Scotland and there was a battle at Largs when the local clansmen tried to see them off. Apparently it was an inconclusive battle but the Norwegian king adjourned to Bute and died that winter and so the rule of the Norwegians was effectively over.
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