If at first you don't succeed...

On the 8th December 2013, yes I'm catching up with past walks, Chris & I drove North, one comfort break, with some refreshments and then onwards into Scotland and onto Ardrossen. First in the queue for the ferry,we had refreshments and then sat in the car as the ferry came into harbour.

I tried out the "Lapse It" app on my iPhone,as the vehicles left for their journey on the mainland.

End result is quite pleasing; thanks for the heads-up Ben!
It was then our turn to drive onto the ferry and cross to Brodick.

Chris didn't venture on deck, unusual for her, but it was wet, windy and a little rough.
Once settled into our Hotel it was time for a swim, sauna and then a cracking meal in the Brambles Restaurant.

The next morning it was back to Brambles for Breakfast before we set out on a walk from Brodick to Lamlash.

After the wind and rain yesterday we were pleased to see sunshine on the mountains. The walk itself should have been shorter but ended up 9.3524 miles long.
The route is available at http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6155007

So why so long?
Well everything was fine until we reached the forest. Gorse in flower, catkins preparing for spring...

Sun on the mountain side...

Yes we did see the laminated sign on the post at the entrance but didn't read it as carefully as we should have done.
To cut a long story short, we had to turn back because of Logging activity and the closed area blocked our route.

Having retraced our steps we turned away from the stream (burn? Scots Gaelic has the word bùrn, which means "fresh water") and headed back to the coast.
The idea? to walk the coastal path to Lamlash.
On the way to the coast the sun compensated for the disappointment of our blocked route and the scenery, stunning as always.

we passed Highland Cattle...

Admired Goat Fell

Then across the Golf Course with Brodick Castle visible in the distance...

The walk along the beach and Prom provided stunning views, in particular those of Shags fishing and/or drying their feathers.

Oyster Catchers

...and Herrons...

It had to arrive! The climb from the Prom along the A841 before following the coastal path. A number of stops were needed, by me rather than Chris, but with views like this, who wouldn't want to stop every now and then?

 Now this was what we were both looking forward to see...

One it meant we were over the ridge, and two it's Holy Island, bringing back fond memories of our last visit. A few styles...

 ...and a stroll down beside another Burn...

 ...and we were down in Lamlash although this statue got us wondering.

More Oyster catchers, Herons, Curlews and other coastal birds and we arrived at our destination. In time to grab a pint (or 2) of Red Squirrel, 

...before catching the bus back to Brodick.
By then it was starting to get dark.

All in all, a wonderful day on Arran and yes the weather was spot on for December.

Swans, Geese, Alpacas and more

To be fair, the Alpacas were domesticated.
Today it was a walk starting at Martin Mere. Later than normal, I'd been gardening in the morning, we set off from Martin Mere, via the Coach Parking lot to basically walk the East- side perimeter of the Mere.

We'd walked this path, in the opposite direction, in the past. As you'd expect, at a wetland centre, there were sightings of many different breeds of duck, moorhens, geese, and swans.

Sightings of flocks of Green Plovers rose up from the banks of the mere and flights of swans and geese, constantly passed overhead accompanied by a noise that has to be heard not described. 

The only time we couldn't hear the wetland residents was when we had a helicopter fly pass...

The gentle giants of Longhorn cattle, grazed the grassland between the stretches of water.

Crossing the Southport - Wigan line, for the first time,

we continued walking along good paths, 

albeit a little muddy in places,

we past mounds, yes I mean mounds of mushrooms.

I don't think all the wasted food had anything to do with it but, when, a little further on, we came across The Farm shop, tea room and B&B, we decided to have lunch.

The food was EXCELLENT!
Yes it was here we saw the alpacas, pigs, sheep and chickens, as we continued on our way.

The next part of the walk took us along the Leeds Liverpool Canal towards Burscough.
Passing a range of narrow boats, short boats and plastic tubs.

Passing 3 pubs between lunch and leaving the canal, we managed not to be side-tracked.
Near the Lathom Slipway was a field full of swans.

Back across the railway line, 

we headed back to Martin Mere via more mounds of food. This time carrots, some washed others not!.

The route of our 5.8099 miles walk can be found at http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=6150005