Rothesay to Rhu

This was to be my last sail in Kalessin for a few weeks. On Tuesday I head home by train for five weeks’ work. One of the reasons I chose Rhu was because there is a direct train link from Helensburgh to Edinburgh, which saves messing about at Glasgow. By the magic of split ticketing I got a first class ticket for £70, although it’s only useful on the east coast mainline and I do have to change at York, as well as Edinburgh, Peterborough and Stowmarket. 

Sadly it was not a gorgeous day with a F3-4. It rained again, although there were lovely views between the showers. We passed the paddle steamer Waverley for the third or fourth time, and passed Loch Long which leads to Loch Goil, where my mother and her twin used to row to the shop. 

Loch Goil hidden behind rain 

I love this photo, which must have been taken in the late 1930s. My granny in headscarf and, astonishingly, trousers; Sonia left of the mast, my mother Patricia to the right. 

Rhu is in a lovely spot despite being close to the military might of Faslane. The facilities are more low key than I expected and the chandlery is closed at the weekend but otherwise it has everything we need and the staff are very friendly and welcoming.