Portencross

After the hurly burly of the jets at Prestwick I decided to take the long way home via the coast road.

Opted to pop down to Portencross as I hadn't been in many a year.

It hasn't changed of course and the sun kindly shone for my walk around the area.

Here are a few images that I hope show the charm of this little gem of a place.

 View from Portencross

 Dinghies at Portencross 

 Lone Angler

 Portencross Castle

  Portencross Castle

Small Harbour

Flowers Bloom in Late August

More images are available at - www.dougie-coull-photography.com - better resolution and options to licence.

Millport Visit

We expected the Joint Warrior NATO vessels to depart the Clyde today, but the force 10 gale forecast for the Minch had other ideas.

However the USNS Kanawha berth at Loch Striven was brave enough to take on the challenge and she departed around 16:00.

The dilemma was how to get some half decent photos as Loch Striven is not exactly an easy location to get to by car.

Opted to drive to Largs but too far to get anything worthwhile in poor light. The answer was to get the ferry to the Isle of Cumbrae and then the bus to Millport.

After that it was good old Shank's pony and about a mile walk around the tip of the island to get a reasonable location.

After securing the shots it was the reverse journey, so all in all a long day, and not what I expected when I left home.

 Millport Harbour

 Bus Turning Point

 Beach Shelter

Passing Cumbrae

Heading Down the Channel

 Passing Arran

 Rock Pool

 Beach

Rocks and Sea

 Converted Fisherman's Cottage

Waiting for the Bus to the Ferry

More images are available at - www.dougie-coull-photography.co.uk - better resolution and options to licence.

Gumball 3000 Rally - Scotland

This year's Gumball 3000 Rally starts it's European leg in Edinburgh this morning.

The cars arrived at Prestwick Airport by plane on Saturday night.

I travelled down to Prestwick very early this morning to get some images to document the event.

Originally the cars were to leave at 07:30 but a few delays held things back till about 08:45 but it was worth the wait in the nice weather.

 Ferrari, Porsche, Lamborghini, plus other manufacturers made their way through to The Mound for the start of the marathon drive to Ibiza.

Ferrari F12

Police on Duty to Keep the Roads Clear

Rally Support Car

Mercedes Sports Car

Participants on the Road

Audi R8 V10

Ferrari 458

Swedish Team Mercedes-Benz

Lamborghini Gallardo

BRABUS Super G 700

Dodge Challenger

Fisker Karma

Ferrari FF

Porsche 911

More images are available at - www.dougie-coull-photography.co.uk - better resolution and options to licence.

'City of Adelaide' aka 'Carrick' Departs Irvine

The 'City of Adelaide' aka 'SV Carrick' finally departed Irvine today at the third attempt due to inclement weather.

A crowd of around 1,000 people assembled - many for their third day - and watched the world's oldest clipper ship leave Scotland bound for London. The historic clipper will then be loaded onto a cargo ship for its final journey to Australia to be restored.

She was built in Sunderland in1864, and was salvaged in 1992 after sinking in Glasgow the year before.

 'Dutch Pioneer' Leaving Irvine

Lady Harpist Performs Before the Departure

 'Dutch Pioneer' Flying the Flags

  'Dutch Pioneer' Manoeuvres Towards The 'City of Adelaide' 

 'Dutch Pioneer'

'City of Adelaide' Prepares to Depart Irvine

 

Final Preparation for the Departure of the 'City of Adelaide' 

'City of Adelaide' Departing Irvine

 'City of Adelaide' Departing Irvine


 'City of Adelaide' Departing Irvine


Crowds Gather to Witness the 'City of Adelaide' Departing Irvine

'Dutch Pioneer' Assisting the 'City of Adelaide' as She Departs Irvine


 'City of Adelaide' Now Far from Shore


City of Adelaide

More images are available at - www.dougie-coull-photography.co.uk - better resolution and options to licence.

Awaiting Departure of the 'City of Adelaide'

A run down to Irvine today as it looks like the 'City of Adelaide' will finally start her journey to leave Scotland today.

This is after yesterday's aborted run when I learned halfway down the road that it had been postponed.

I had driven through very heavy rain this morning so was relieved to find that Irvine was dry, if a bit on the windy side.

Sadly, despite a large turnout of well wishers to see her off, the departure was abandoned for a second day.

This grand old lady is certainly not running to schedule with the inclement weather.

She is now expected to depart either Friday or Saturday.

'Red Countess' Waits Patiently


Awaiting the Decision - Go or Stay?

 Crowds Gather for the Departure


Everyone Waits in Anticipation

'Dutch Pioneer' Returns to Her Berth

'Dutch Pioneer' Berthjng

 Thor

 Berthing at High Water

 Ready with the Ropes

 Staying Put Today

View of the River

Till Tomorrow

Dutch Pioneer

Secured for the Night

More images are available at - www.dougie-coull-photography.co.uk - better resolution and options to licence.