Day 11 lslay to Largs

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The tent started to stir at about 5 am. We had a 7 am ferry to catch and the support team needed to get checked in by 6:30. With practiced efficiency we packed up our bedding and night clothes, then collapsed and packed the tent in the dark. We were ready to role just after 6 am! Fortunately all the bikes had good lights for the 20 minute ride we had to do to get to the port. We arrived and in short time were on board. It was the same board and crew we had had on the way over. Sunrise was due at 7 am, but the continuous low cloud meant the world just got brighter. We had a cropped view of the Paps on the way past Jura. 
Our plan was to use the Isle of Arran as a stepping stone to mainland. So we had a quick dash over the Kintyre peninsula to catch the ferry over to Lochranza. We then had a stiff climb past Goat Fell and its northern companions (200 m over 4 km). The scenery was spectacular and made more so by the cloud streaming over the tops. We plummeted down the other side, and thoroughly enjoyed the coastal run to Brodick. I particularly enjoyed the large scale cross bedding on show in road side outcrops!
A quick lunch stop was followed by successful embarkation on the ferry to Ardrossan. Our route to the campsite just beyond Largs was varied. Part off road cycle route, part quiet lanes, part main road - a fairly typical experience for the long distance cyclist with this countries disjointed cycle network, and John C did a magnificent job navigating it. We particularly enjoyed one section that dived away from the main road and through quiet countryside, passing a ‘house-castle’ on the way (probably Hunterston Castle), and were intrigued by the now-unused huge conveyor belt system we passed under near Hunterson; this used to carry coal from the nearby Hunterston port to a railhead. Coal from here used to supply Drax power station amongst others.
We had a brief shopping stop (we asked for directions!) for evening food in Largs and we were quickly at the campsite next to Noddsdale Water.
John H was again brilliant with the camp food whilst we set up the tent. Skys cleared briefly for a fine display of stars and another satellite siting. 

Wildlife spotted by the team during the day
Red squirrels
Red deer
Porpoises 
Seals
Cormorants 
Herons
Buzzard
Oystercatchers 
Chickens! (to check our tent was put up correctly)
Submarine!!

Best street name of the day: Noddlesburn Road (Largs)

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