Day 12 Tarbert to Maidens

As I’m lying here in our tent listening to the wind pick up, I’m beaming from ear to ear. I have had a fantastic birthday.

I woke this morning in our cabin at The Gather in Tarbert and my neck was killing me. Issue is, our airbeds have built in pillows so when we have be staying elsewhere and you have to provide your own bedding, we have had no pillows. Anyhoo that was short lived as Bobby and the kids had set up the wee kitchen area there. They made me pancakes with fresh cream and strawberry for breakfast and a nice cup of tea. I’m really missing a good cup of tea. There was a 3 flag small banner wishing me a happy birthday and I got my cards and gifts. All very lovely and thoughtful. I even hsd banners around my tuktuk that would travel with me. We were rushing out the door to catch the 9am ferry from Tarbert to Portavardie. Nice quick ferry crossing bringing back memories of me sailing around the area with the EMCTrust. We arrived at portavardie and made our way towards Colintraive. One route we passed Tighnabruaich where a man and his daughter waved from there balconies. Great start to our journey with good interaction from the public and the sun was now splitting the skies. Arriving in Colintraive, we managed to catch the ferry that had just come in, to hop over to the Isle of Bute. I was able to explain to Dechlan some of the stories I had been told about the area from my previous trust trips. Passing by Port Bannatyne it brought a smile to my face. We arrived in Rothesay and headed for breakfast. We got a few questions from a young lad about the tuktuks and lots of pictures and videos being taken. After we had eaten we waited in line to board the ferry. Looking around we spotted the Waverly. Not seen it out for a while so was nice to get a glimpse and some pictures of that. Arriving at Wemyss, we headed straight to the Largs EMCTrust base to meet the team.

We got a lovely welcome by them all and it was nice to speak a bit about the trip to them. I’m always talking about the trust at home so it was nice for my family to even get a wee glimpse of their offices and to meet some of the staff. It was exactly 20 years today that the trust set sail on their first ever trip. Something I never knew. I shared a birthday with the trust. So despite it being the day I got diagnosed with cancer, it’s also the day an amazing charity entered the world, soon to become a huge part of my life. After a nice cup of tea and slice of cake it was time to give some of the team a hurl in the tuktuks before we set off south towards Maidens. Passing by Irvine, Preswick and Ayr was really tough. Bobbys hand was cramping as  we were continously on and off the clutch and accelerator as the traffic was so bad. I found myself wishing i was back in the Highlands. It’s not enjoyable when there is lots of traffic and the responses weren’t as happy. It’s strange, I’m noticing that city life is so rushed and people seem so much less happy. The highland life is less rushed and people seem more laid back. We got more positive vibe there too. Maybe its because they were all on holiday? Who knows but I was releived to get out the traffic and get to our campsite for the night which was biker haven. Have to say it’s literally a field by a farm with one barn toilet. £40 was a bit steep but it’s the only place around here we could find. We have the place to ourself in amoung the horses haha.

Tonight was one of my best nights. We headed to Souters Inn to have a sit down meal for my birthday. Still dressed like the tramp campers, who cares! I had the best sirloin steak. Followed by a nice relaxing family chat and laugh. We then went for a walk along the harbour pier watching the sun set behind Arran. Then back to the tent for some cake before getting settled for the night. For the first time this whole trip I felt like I was on holiday, much more relaxed and had amazing family time. I also got a good chat with my mum tonight which was great. It really lifted me up getting a long chat without having to rush off the phone. She is just the most precious person. 💗

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