Eventually made a late start in very little wind, and headed for Irvine. Motor-sailed part of the way to get there before the ebb started. We entered the river past the old pilot tower which many years ago when Irvine was an important port used to have signals which showed the depth on the bar. We then passed a beautifully made footbridge which was a millennium project commemorating Scottish inventors. Unfortunately both it and the other attraction which it led to are now unused.
Irvine is not set up for visiting yachts! Even the residents have problems as the river is now owned by a property development company who don’t care about it and don’t maintain anything. After some confusion we ended up alongside the “Kyles”, an old puffer which was part of the maritime museum, helped by locals Jimmy and Denny. There appears to be quite a problem here with thefts and vandalism, so when we went into town we locked the boat for the first time for ages.
In the evening Jimmy invited us to join him on his fishing boat which he has spent years converting. We appreciated the company, guitar-playing and the warm stove.
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| Leaving Holy Island in no wind |
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| Entering Irvine. The old pilot tower used to have signals showing the depth of water |
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| The sliding footbridge was a millennium project, sadly now abandoned |
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