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| 0600 at Gourock. Crew aboard Ali Cat getting ready for first run of the day at 0620. No sign of life yet on Argyll Flyer |
Ali Cat seemingly creates the first waves of the day on her way to Dunoon | Ali Cat sets off from Dunoon on return journey | ||
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| Argyll Flyer arriving Dunoon at 0705 | On way back to Gourock we see Sound of Shuna at McInroy’s Point – ready for her 2nd return crossing of the day | Ali Cat on 2nd run with Kilcreggan Pier in background | ||
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| A quick run down to Wemyss Bay in time to watch Bute arriving for the 0845 to Rothesay | Bute leaving Rothesay at 0930 | Argyle arrives Rothesay at 1000 | ||
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| Bute and Argyle pass off Toward | Seabus arriving at Gourock. 1145 departure slightly delayed whilst tickets are sold to passengers, many of whom are crossing to Kilcreggan to catch Waverley | Seabus leaves Kilcreggan Pier, with a now sizeable crowd waiting for Waverley | ||
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| Waverley takes the long way round to tackle Kilcreggan, arriving about 15 minutes down on schedule | A snatched picture of Waverley at Dunoon before I have to make my way aboard Ali Cat for 1250 back over to Gourock | Eric Schofield (right) prepares to disembark from the Ali Cat at Gourock on the morning of his epic ferry-hopping day on 29 July 2011. Wishing him well are Argyll Ferries crewman Ryan Hamil (left) and CRSC Past President Iain MacLeod (centre). In the background is the Argyll Flier. | ||
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| A quick car run down to McInroy’s Point, a dash to the ferry, and I am now aboard Sound of Shuna on the 1330 crossing to Hunter’s Quay | Sound of Shuna heads away, with my next ship Sound of Scalpay getting ready to start her day | Sound of Scalpay moves from lay-up berth ready to load for the 1415 departure | ||
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| A fine view of Scalpay at McInroy’s Point | Sound of Scarba arrives, well on schedule for the 1500 sailing | My fourth WF ferry, Sound of Sanda will get me back over to the mainland for 1605 | ||
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| Trying to find a suitable parking place in Largs means it is a rush to catch Loch Shira’s 1645 sailing | Many of the daytrippers to Cumbrae are already beginning the trek homewards at 1700 | My twelfth boat of the day, Loch Riddon, arrives at Cumbrae Slip | ||
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| As we return to Largs, Loch Shira makes a fine sight on her next crossing | After ample time for a fish tea in Largs, I am down at Ardrossan in plenty time to watch Saturn seemingly glide through the evening calm towards the harbour | Saturn silhouetted in the evening sun, with Arran hills behind | ||
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| Saturn looks quite at home loading at the ‘Arran’ berth for her last crossing of the day | We pass close to Caledonian Isles | Saturn vacates Brodick Pier as Caledonian Isles nears on her Friday evening additional return service | ||
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| With daylight gradually settling lower in the western sky, I relax on the top deck of Caledonian Isles, my fourteenth ship of a very memorable day on the Clyde |