Kings Caves and Blackwaterfoot

The day started with a one hour bus journey from Brodick to Blackwaterfoot along scenic roads including the Bogville pass and a little too many humps for our liking. On arrival Hannah from COAST (Community Of Arran Seabed Trust) asked us to make some model beach art sculptures which featured:

Sam the Seal

Sid the Starfish

Seb the Seahorse

and ...

Trevor the Turtle

By ten am the families descended upon Blackwaterfoot beach and began making sandcastles and even a sand whale. After this thrilling event we began searching the rock pools for marine creatures. Our findings included hermit crabs, jellyfish, whelks, periwinkle and swans (not in the rock pools)

Some of our findings

We then went on a beautiful coastal stroll towards Kings caves. We were inspired by the beauty and history of this natural structure.

The day ended with a turbulent, crowded but picturesque bus journey back to Brodick.

Bruce the Shark

The day began with a trip to the beach.  Our first insight in to Arran's wildlife came when we spotted a variety of bird life including swallows, wood pigeons, robin,wren, linnets, cormorant, oyster catchers. Our artistic skills were put to the test with the task of creating a piece of beach art better than the last groups (this was not quite the task!-Lucy) resulting in the formation of Bruce the Shark.

Initial stage...

Finishing touches...

Bruce the Great White Shark

Team Bruce

Ninety minutes of our hard graft had disappeared by the time we came back from lunch but it was okay because we had plenty to occupy us with the prospect of a big beach clean, using ltter pickers, gloves, and the motivation of the game "who can find the most random piece of litter". The day was topped off with a nice walk down the beach hoping the rain would abate. We almost got a bit of sun at the end of the day! Which was very rewarding, combined with the 13 bin bags full of litter we had collectively accumulated.

Hard at work cleaning the beach

Proud litter pickers.

Rockpools, marques and Colin

Beginning the day once more with a deliriously early start, we set off for Lamlash Bay in search of rockpools and the inhabitants thereof. After a short briefing by Stephenie we began our exploration of the beach.

Rachel, Becky, Jemima and Laura investigate a pool

Lucy finally makes an appearance on the blog

After a few hours of careful study, an examination of otter poo that was a little too close for comfort and a team photo we continued onwards to the site of Arran Agricultural Show to help COAST set up their marque.

A bit of manpower

 An additional unexpected task presented itself in the form of a mosaic of Curly the octopus, the construction of which tested our mental agility and physical strength.

Curly under construction

The finished article

Finishing unexpectedly early, we found ourselves once more on the Bus of Fun, this time headed back to the lodge and shortly after to the beach, where we were tasked with the construction of a team mascot. Under Lucy's masterful artistic direction, our plans began to take shape. We would construct a seal.

Adil measures out the foundations

After a laticework of rocks was designed to take the weight of the sand, work began on the sculpture proper.

Work begins

Soon, our masterpiece began to take shape.

Sophie and John begin work on the nose

After what seemed like hours of hard toil, our seal stood magnificent and proud, a testimony to our teamwork and artistic skill.

Our mascot in all its glory

And so our day drew to a close, and we retired to the bunkhouse for pizza and jelly, lovingly prepared by Jemima, Becky and Rachel.

Tom, Sophie and Alex

The fruit of our day's labors, AKA Colin