Ardrossan - Part Two

(Wednesday, 13th and Thursday 14th - Catch up)

One of the good things about the hotel we found, is that they have a large off-street car park, and another is, that with only 5 rooms they ask what you want for breakfast, rather than set out loads of choices, and you just come down at 7.30 and get served.

We went out to Kilwinning, where some of Lee's forebears, Barbara McBlane and William Roughead were married, and found the area of Corsehill, and a view of the large old church which was probably contemporary for their time.
Then down to Irvine, where we found the Maritime Museum, which is very interesting, but not spectacular. Still, somewhere to be out of the elements one of our few rainy days.

Also found a shopping centre for coffee, and got some money from the bank in the main street. Attractive street with some old buildings and the newer stuff, but in some cases it doesn't work. I guess it all comes down to who approves what, and whether or not the locals want it(?)

Having endured the fish and chips the night before, I checked out a Chinese Restaurant down the road. There don't seem to be many actual chinese restaurants in most towns, just hole-in-the-wall takeaways. But this one was different. Very pleasant, and quiet, and not many in, but the food was just wonderful, and cooked after you ordered, and not sitting, being kept warm. Just a bit hard getting used to a chinese man with a Scots accent!

Went down and got our tickets for the ferry tomorrow morning across to Arran. I paid for these ferry tickets in-line in December, and just needed to pick them up. No problems, but I have a memory that the man charged me for them, and I am still emailing the company about whether or not I have paid twice(?)

Leaving Ardrossan

Approaching Arran

After breakfast, got sorted and went down to the ferry terminal. This company, Calmac, is VERY efficient, and always on-time, and we had to be there in the waiting car park 30 minutes before the sailing. Not a problem, and the ferry is one of the larger ones, so once on board, for a 9.45am crossing, we could have had a cooked breakfast on board, or a drink (whisky tasting!) or anything.