A few days away at Monkton then Greenock.
Stopped off on the way at Doonfoot near Ayr as there had been reports of Snow Buntings, sadly we didn’t see them so just took a few shots of the castle.
Dodgy position, I wonder how long it will remain perched on the edge!
Our view out of the window at the Monkton Premier Inn.
Next morning we set off early to Lochwinnoch, parking at Castle Semple and walking round to RSPB Lochwinnoch.
Goldeneye
Black-headed Gull with full black head…
..this ones not quite there yet…
…and this ones just a juvenile.
This is the resident Whooper Swan that stays all year round as it has a damaged wing.
Goosanders
A little bit of colour, my first Celandine of the year.
Calder Bridge
RSPB Lochwinnoch
Drake Smew!
Robin outside the visitor centre
Back at Castle Semple this Greylag was waiting to be fed..
..and this lot!
After lunch we headed towards the Clyde Muirshell visitor Centre, this was not to be as the road was blocked by a diversion so we headed for Locherwood instead.
We started off well with this sighting of a Kestrel
But the signposting got very dodgy!
Shame about the pylons!
The sun came out briefly, but then it started to pour. We followed signs for a hide and ended up in a bog and had to turn back. We never found the hide, the paths were awful and signposting needs some work!
Soaking wet and fed up we headed for our next Premier Inn at Greenock.
Now thats what I call a room with a view, boats just outside our window!
Next morning started quite bright so we were hopeful of a better day!
It started sunny and calm with good visibility so we headed around the coast to Gourock, where we had caught the ferry to Oban many, many years ago. The views were great so we headed for the Greenock Cut. Again our plans were thwarted by yet another blocked road and diversion, so we headed back to Greenock and the other way to the Greenock Cut Visitor Centre.
Up by Loch Thom the weather had started to turn in
Grey and pouring with rain
This is a great walk and should have stunning views but not today!
At the end of the Overton Track we reached the cut which used to supply water for Greenock. My new camera stayed in its dry bag underneath my waterproofs for the rest of the cut unfortunately.
This is at the end of the cut when the rain finally stopped so I had a chance to play about with exposures!
Ducks in a row
The Greenock Cut Visitor Centre
View back down towards the path along the cut
Still some day left so we headed to Clydeport
The sun across the water
Back at the Premier Inn we had another walk before our meal, this is the Inn with the Table Table restaurant next door
Just outside our room
Old tyres
Crane and apartments
Fishing boat coming in
Juv Gull
When the seagulls follow the fishing boat..or whatever Cantana said!
Hideous tower blocks
Old harbour
The next day we were heading back home but stopped on the way at Portencross.
Our first view of Portencross Castle
Looking towards Arran
Castle and Wee Cumbrae
Castle door
Wee Cumbrae
Rocks and jetty
this old jetty is a bit neglected
Seen better days
Its got a big hole in it!
Great Black-backed Gull
Castle and hamlet of Portencross
This spot is a haven for birds but sadly just around this corner is the Hunterston Power Station and they want to build another coal fired power station here!
SAY NO TO HUNTERSTON!
Footpath…
…to Hunterston
Millport on Great Cumbrae
Painted rock
Caslte sign
Learn more about Portencross Castle at http://www.portencrosscastle.org.uk/index.htm
Looks like the weather has brightened up again just as we are leaving!
..and finally we saw this funky chicken trying to get through the gates!
