Week 18th Nov'13 Arran

It has been a better weather week even though its much colder and there are still very strong winds at times but the blue skies on many of these days make everyone much happier.

Arran is looking spectacular with its dusting of snow. The island is known as 'the sleeping warrior' and if you look from right to left you can see why it gets this name.
The dog wandered into the photo just as I snapped. I took another shot without the dog but when comparing them I think that the dog adds something to the photo.

 A zoomed shot illustrates perfectly the mountainous terrain with the Arran's highest top 'Goatfell', on the left, showing its magnificent profile well.

Further along the beach the clouds are blowing in from the north with further wintery conditions expected.

week 11thNov'13 Clouds and blue sky

This was a poor week for the bay. We had a week of grey skies, high winds and a fair amount of rain. At times the house lights were on early afternoon thinking it was impending night already. Gloomy stuff indeed.
However on one day we did get a weather break for 10 minutes whilst I was out walking and I snapped these.

This view looking at Troon harbour would normally have the Ailsa Craig prominent but today the stormy cloud hides the island. looks nice but you know there is a squally rain-shower in among those clouds.

5 minutes later the storm clouds have gone but so has the Ailsa Craig!!!

Week 4th November What a difference

Even though the weather is improving still a deserted beach

The tanker is still there with Arran behind

Low tide, blue skies it must be summer, not.

Arran behind the bushes

Troon harbour with Ailsa Craig prominent

1st Nov'13 deserted beach

There goes another month, two left and then another year disappears, alive only in the memory. They say it is better to live for the moment and not the past so out I go for my morning saunter. I have been jog/walking this week but the tendon is flaring up this morning so just the walk. This is definitely the windiest day of the week and a touch cooler into the bargain. I have been fortunate to get out most mornings this week but that will not always be the case so there will be more irregular postings.

Guess who put on less gear this morning? The reason was because I was overheating yesterday? Well I will just need to get up a faster pace and get the body warm. For a change I went the golf course side of the beach. It is obviously a different perspective and also you are slightly sheltered from wind thanks to the dunes and the undulating nature of the golf course. You also get to see people as the green-keepers are out doing their stuff.
All my photos today show a little bit of greenery just to show you that it is not all sand, sea and cloud.

A tanker rides on the waves waiting for its turn to go somewhere. I think to the open cast mine at Hunterston. It has been noticeable over the last couple of years how many tankers are 'docking' at sea, presumably the cheaper option, saving port fees etc.

Two views from the 7th tee at Western Gailes golf course, the hole is appropriately called 'sea'. It is a short but testing par 3. It is rated as one of the best par 3's in Scotland.
Whether running or walking I always stop at this tee for a few seconds to take in the view.
Today the wind was straight off the sea which makes this a very testing golf course today. The design of the course is effectively 2 nines side by side. Therefore, if you have a strong wind off the sea, or indeed from the east, then your ball is always going to move sideways and sideways here is a lot of rough. get the sniffer dog out or take a lot of balls with you.
I will post more photos of the course as we go on.