Castle Semple Loch

Near the RSPB reserve in Lochwinnoch is Castle Semple Visitors Centre where a large colony of seabirds will happily devour any titbits thrown to them by the public.

This means that they are well accustomed to being around people and is great for close up photographs.

Mute swan with its wings arched

Pair of mute swans swimming gracefully

Being watched by a whooper swan

Several canada geese also form part of the mixed flock

RSPB Nature reserve, Lochwinnoch

A lovely spring afternoon for a trip to the RSPB bird sanctuary. I've a feeling I will be back for many more visits.

Everybody knows this little chappie, a cheeky robin

A male chaffinch with a seed in its mouth

The femaile chaffinch is not so colourful but just as pretty

A great tit looking directly at me

A pair of goldfinches at one of the feeders

New Lanark

New Lanark is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The 18th Century village was built around a cotton mill on the bank of the River Clyde.

The village has been beautifully restored and is surrounded by spectacular scenery. I stopped in for a visit last autumn where the golden colours added to the beauty of the place.

Dumbarton

Almost got shot and stampeded by an army of Covenanters today. Went along to see a re-enactment of the 1640 seige of Dumbarton Castle. Not quite a full army there, but definitely enough musketeers to create a frightening racket.

The visitors enjoyed the entertainment and I'm sure they also learned a few facts from Scottish history.

Musketeers marching to the battleground

On parade

Pikeman showing a typical stance

Clouds of smoke from the gunpowder surround the soldiers

A lone Mosketeer firing from the gun battery

A large flame leaping from the barrel of a musket

Musketeers firing straigh towards us

El Mountjid

Algerian tug, El Mountjid, came to Faslane in January. Her visit was extended when she had to spend some time in Glasgow for emergency repairs.

Berthed at Faslane shortly after arriving on the Clyde

Returning to Faslane after her repairs

Cargo ships on the River Clyde

A wide variety of cargo ships have come and went on the Clyde over the past six months while I was without pc access to post them to my blog. Here is a quick catch-up of some of them.

 

Arklow Rally and Med Baltic seen passing East India harbour on 29th September. The Arklow ships are regular visitors.

Mid December and MV Boisterous was lying in James Watt Dock Soon after she was moved to the Great Harbour where she received a paint job for her new owners.

January and Fure Star sailed down from Glasgow. Here she is passing Garvel Point. Ostbense and Cemvale are both heading upriver.

Trip to Millport

What a cracker of a day, the weather almost felt like summer. Down we went to Largs and caught the ferry over to Great Cumbrae and then straight onto to local bus to take us into Millport.

Millport harbour

One of the local cycle hire shops

Garrison House and gardens

Blue boat

The famous Crocodile Rock

Well, the caption above the door says it

High and dry in the harbour

Horse and rider out for some exercise

Gentle waves rolling onto Millport beach

A lovely day for a sail

We had a great day out with fish suppers and ice cream. Did I tell you about the birds? You should have seen the legs on some of them!

Gull watching us eating

Mr and Mrs Mallard paddling along

Curlew standing by the water's edge

Heron patiently waiting