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Friday, September 25, 2015

Return to Largs via the Midshipmen's Memorial, Great Cumbrae.

 The wind picked up again as we made our way up...

 ....the west coast of the Great Cumbrae.

At Tomont End at the north end of great Cumbrae we passed under the Midshipmen's Memorial. It's inscription reads:

"IN MEMORY OF MR. CHARLES D. CAYLEY AGED 17 YEARS AND MR. WILLIAM N. JEWELL AGED 19 YEARS MIDSHIPMEN OF H.M.S. SHEARWATER

TWO PROMISING YOUNG OFFICERS DROWNED BY THE UPSETTING OF THEIR BOAT NEAR THIS PLACE 17TH MAY 1844

THIS MONUMENT IS ERECTED IN TOKEN OF THEIR WORTH BY CAPTAIN ROBINSON AND OFFICERS OF THE ABOVE VESSEL"

Leaving Great Cumbrae we enjoyed a favourable wind as we crossed the channel to the AQyrshire mainland. In the distance, at Hunterston, we could see the coal terminal, the nuclear power station and the giant windmills. As is often the case when there is a wind, the windmills here and on the hills above Largs were not turning.

We landed at Largs marina almost exactly 24 hours after we had left. As always it seemed like we had been away several days. An overnight expedition to Inchmarnock is always a treat, especially when you have a tail wind all the way back!

3 comments:

  1. Looks like a fantastic time. I really like the sailing aspect of it.

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  2. That always puzzles me why so many turbines are static when it appears to be excellent generating weather. Surely the national grid is not at full capacity after a few windy days here and there? At least there is comfort in the knowledge that they still get taxpayers money poured into them no matter what mode they are in. Although not a terrible eyesore the two new large turbines do spoil the scenic beauty of Great Cumbrae and Millport somewhat as they tend to dominate the view from the hills and the town beach just by size alone.

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  3. Hi Bob, sorry for delay in reply. I agree. Ian and I saw Robin Rig in the Solway this week. There was a good F4 wind blowing but not one turbine was turning.

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