Pladda and Ailsa Craig from Kildonan...

My sincere apologies for the lack of recent comments ....
The internet connection on Arran this year proved to be problematic and life has been hectic since returning to work. Will try to catch up now, and am really looking forward to catching up with all your Blips over the forthcoming Easter weekend!

6th April is always a special day for us, as it is ES's birthday. This year he was not with us as he was in London for the Oxford/Cambridge boat race, which we actually watched on TV for the first time in many years. It was quite controversial, as there was a clash of oars and the unfortunate Luke Juckett from the Cambridge side "caught a crab and skewed his rigger". No idea what that means, but basically there was a clash between the boats which knocked Luke Juckett off his rythym and possibly broke some part of his oar. The umpire took Oxford's side - the Cambridge boat was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Oxford won by 11 lengths, the biggest winning margin since 1973. While I was glad Oxford won, I wish it had been in different cirumstances. I couldn't help feeling that the way in which the victory occurred was unfortunate for both sides. The Oxford victory was marred by poor Luke Juckett's misery.

That aside, we spent a lovely day with YS and E on Arran. We had a lovely lunch at Coast in Whiting Bay, then went down to Kildonan to look for seals. The seas were too stormy there, but we saw them later in the more peaceful waters near Brodick castle.

Had a lovely evening meal with YS and E then headed home and they packed for their early departure in the morning. We have really enjoyed their company....