Behold the sea!

Day 43: apart from a certain poet, Mauchline has another claim to fame – it’s the place where all the world’s competitive curling stones are manufactured, using granite from the dramatic island of Ailsa Craig off the Ayrshire coast. We walked past the back of the factory, quite by chance, and met a very engaging man who told us a lot about the process, the different types of granite used, and how they get it from the island without disturbing the seabirds. After this encounter, we walked down the River Ayr Way to its endpoint in Ayr, right outside the flat where we’re staying. It’s a pretty river, with lots of beautiful wooded sections, and it was a very enjoyable (but long) walk.

Britain has so many beautiful places, but the ones that make my heart sing are mostly mountains or the coast. So after 6 weeks’ mostly inland walking, it’s exciting to have a view across to Arran, and to know that we’ll be in sight of the sea pretty much all the way to the end. Track of the Day is the first movement of A Sea Symphony by Vaughan Williams, conducted by the late and much lamented Richard Hickox. Even if you don’t think this is your sort of music, listen to the beginning, for one of the best chord changes ever on “Behold, the SEA!”.

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