I had a lovely cooked breakfast at the B&B today, before getting my bike out the back of the car and heading off to the ferry terminal.
Although Sunny there was a cold wind so I was wrapped up warm with my coat and hat for the short journey over to Great Cumbrae. I had been given a tip for cycling on Cumbrae, which turned out to be really good advice; When you get off the ferry, turn right – it takes you over to the nicer side of the island.
Getting on the ferry as a cyclist is £4.40 for a return ticket per person – no charge for the bike. Not bad. It costs an extra £15 if you’re taking a car across. My original plan was to drive and take the car across, in the end I didn’t and just cycled the whole way.
There is only one town on Great Cumbrae – Millport – which, cycling anti-clockwise around the island is 5 miles away. It was windy but not too bad, as I wasn’t yet cycling in to the wind (that would come later). After 3 miles I arrived at Fintry Bay where there is a lovely little cafe serving ice creams, food, drinks. Perfect opportunity for refreshments.
Another 3 mies and I’d arrive in Millport – This is where I stopped for lunch. Mac and Cheese (my favourite). Back on my bike and I found a great beach where I stopped for a paddle. The water was ice cold. Nearby a group of people were playing with their dog. The dog was called Fred. I kept hearing “Come here, Fred”.
Leaving Millport, it was 4 miles back to the ferry terminal – I could have done with somewhere this side of the island to stop and buy a drink, but without that I stocked up on bottles of water before leaving and took it slow (I was already getting tired by this point). I was also cycling in to the wind now, and may have walked a lot of this bit of the route.
Back in Largs and I had time for a rest back in my room, before heading out to the theatre. One of the reasons this trip up to Scotland came about was that I watched a documentary on the BBC Scotland channel, by Mhairi Black, former SNP MP for Paisley & Renfrewshire South.
The documentary was all about her experience of working in Parliament while at the same time discovering that you are neurodiverse (she has been diagnosed with ADHD and suspects she may also be autistic).
I don’t agree with her politics, but the way she talks about neurodiversity really did resonate; The burnout, the stigma, the way it impacts mental health, the coping mechanisms, the bullying associated with it.
She has recently started her stand-up comedy tour entitled Politics Isn’t for Me: A first-hand, ruthlessly honest look at 21st century politics. So last month I booked my ticket, for tonight’s appearance by Mhairi Black here in Largs. You don’t have to be an SNP supporter to find this incredibly funny, but also informative as she highlights the many strange nuances in the way Westminster operates.
After a brilliant show I went to have a pizza for dinner which was good, and I returned to my room just after 22:10. I will sleep well tonight!
Heading over to the Isle of Bute tomorrow, which is where I’ll be staying until Tuesday.
Good night,
FH.
