Largs Pencilpoint monument

The year was 1263 and King Hakon of Norway had brought anarmy to attempt to reassert his sovreignty over the west of Scotland.

While his fleet was gathered in the Firth of Clyde fate and the weather forced several of his ships aground near what is now Largs.

The Scottish army arrived while Hakon's men were trying to salvage their ships and the now famous Battle of Largs took place on the beach.

The outcome of the battle was inconclusive and not considered to be of historical significance.

The pencil monument was construced in 1912 and Largs now holds an anual festival to comemorate the battle, 2013 being the 750th anniversary.

BAE barge move

The latest section of aircraft carrier passing Greenock on its journey by sea round the north of Scotland.

This module will become the rear island of HMS Queen Elizabeth, currently being assembled at Rosyth.

Loch Thom & Gryffe

We complain often enough about the weather when it is cold or wet, but it was neither of these when I took a wander aroung the Gryffe reservoir and Loch Thom area.

Having waited till late afternoon, the sunlight was less intense and ideal for walking in.

One of many streams arounf Gryffe reservoir

Gryffe reservoir

Heron patiently waiting the arrival of lunch

Loch Thom compensation reservoir

MSC Magnifica

Another new visitor to Greenock, this time MSC Magnifica stopped off on her Britain & Ireland tour.

She arrived way before her scheduled arrival time of 8am but her departure was spot on at 6pm prompt.

Lochwinnoch bird sanctuary

What better way to spend a few hours on a beautiful spring afternoon than to go to the RSPB sanctuary at Lochwinnoch.

Birds and visitors were both out in numbers to enjoy the sunshine. Needless to say, my focus was on the feathered ones.

Great tit perching on a branch

Coal tit having a refreshing drink

Robins are more often associated with winter

Female chaffinches are less colourful than the males

Goldfinch taking seeds from one of the feeders

Lesser redpoll with its distinctive red forehead

Female mallard walking through the grass

Male mallard looks to be calling out to the female

Great spotted woodpecker on top of a tree stump

Celebrity Infinity

On her first visit to Greenock is Celebrity Cruises' ship, Infinity, on a round Britain trip.

Here she is departing in the early evening sun.

Waverley

PS Waverley, the world's only sea going paddle steamer, prepares for another busy season.

Here she is, fresh from a visit to the drydock, looking very smart.

She stopped at Greenock's Customhouse Quay before heading down river for her pre-season trials.