Care4Carers – Arran Tour of 2023

Usually, when I go away, I write a mini travel blog of my exploits, it’s perhaps a bit grand to call it a travel blog. It’s more a set of musings of what I got up to, complete with amusing quips and observations.

For this trip somehow it feels like something a bit different is needed. Below are my own thoughts on the amazing C4C June trip to Arran.

Before we begin, a quick explanation

Yes, my chosen career is a Business Analyst, but I am also a ‘carer’ for my husband Michael who has, at times, severe mental health issues. Although he has always been very self-aware and understanding about the effect his situation has on me, there are times when I need a bit of additional love, care, and support.

That is where the wonderful charity Care4Carers has been amazing – and I cannot thank them enough.

So, with that covered, let’s get back to the Arran adventure…

Day 1 – The first meeting

Finally, after weeks of anticipation and weather watching the day arrived when we were picked up for our grand tour of Arran.

It was four blissful days away from it all, and the weather looked promising, with plenty of sunshine and temperatures soaring.

I was a little nervous, as I suspect were most of the others going. There were eleven carers and, like me, many of us didn’t know each other or what to expect. 

There were also three reps. from C4Cs, Alex our lovely driver and Jacqueline and Jacquie (that wasn’t confusing at all!)

Before we got started, there was a round of introductions, but it was impossible to remember everyone’s name (especially as I’m hopeless with names!)

Getting to know each other

Once we were on the ferry and wandering around in small groups, getting to know each other started in earnest. Treading lightly at first, I learnt several names and a few people were very open about why they were there.

I also had a few blissful moments of peace in the sunshine. Little did I realise then there would be plenty of time over the weekend for both chatting and chilling alone.

In fact, most of that first day was spent getting to know our fellow travellers with companionable walks and opportunities for talking. Introducing ourselves and if we were feeling bold sharing our carer stories. All in beautiful and peaceful surroundings.

Of course, being me, I was drawn to the troublemakers – and probably they to me! And between us, we spent a good hour that first day chatting like old friends in the hotel garden over a drink!

Day 2 – Starts with alone time

I started the day with an early morning walk, it was lovely being outside with no one around just taking in the beautiful scenery. I was even lucky enough to catch sight of a couple of seals.

Before long the day got started properly with everyone gathering for the day’s excursions. This time the minibus was lively, with small conversations taking place all over. I was no longer sitting alone having been joined by a travelling companion as we enjoyed the scenery flowing past together.

The first stop was the LAGG distillery, a beautiful building in an amazing setting. If I’m honest the tour wasn’t really my thing, but I could appreciate the enthusiasm of the guide! And I could see others in our group found it fascinating.

This was followed by a fabulous lunch (we were always eating amazing food on the trip …it’s only the walking that saved me from being a stone heavier!)

Al Paca Suprise

The next stop was to visit to take Al Pacas for a walk! As with the distillery tour, I hadn’t really expected much from this visit, how wrong was I?

What pure joy! It was like being a kid again and getting your first puppy to take for a walk, and I don’t think I was the only one that enjoyed it this much!

I walked our Al Paca, Lomond, with my drinking companion from the previous afternoon. We had a good giggle walking around feeding him too many treats, only learning later he was one of the most overweight Al Paca’s …ooops!

There are lots of different people, with different personalities on this trip, and after the walk, I spent a lovely 10 minutes sitting outside with another carer, just sharing a companionable silence. We’d both gone to find some quiet time away from the general buzz of noise in the coffee hut after the Al Paca adventure.

A hot walk to the standing stones

The adventures on that first day ended with a 3k trek to see the island’s standing stones. Not far, but it was uphill, and it was blisteringly hot (that’s not a complaint, ordinarily I would have expected rain!)

I meandered up the hill with my minibus companion, and as we chatted, we realised our stories were similar in some ways. What was especially nice was she’d only very recently discovered C4C and came on the trip as a last-minute cancellation. By the smile on her face, she was thoroughly enjoying herself.

By the time we all got back to the bus and then onward to our hotel, we had about 15 minutes to change for dinner!

That evening our post-dinner drinks group grew from two to four as we mulled over the amazing day we’d had.

Day 3 – Starts with rain

It had rained a little overnight and there was still some rain in the air as I went out and about first thing, but it soon dried up and was shaping up to be another glorious day.

We were off for more walking today up to Glenashdale Falls. The start was just a short drive away.

It wasn’t long before we’d walked partway up toward the falls and the group were discussing splitting up so the more able could take a slightly longer walk to the falls.

What an amazing day as we walked and talked (mind you, there were some points where it was too difficult to talk!) – The views from the top were stunning, on such a clear day.

In what seemed like no time at all we were at the Giants Graves, from there, it was an easy walk to the magnificent double-height waterfall.

We had our lunch just near the waterfall at a picnic table enjoying the great outdoors, the fantastic views and not having any worries for a little while …well unless you count reading the map for the route back, never my strong point!

A drive around Arran

The walk had taken much longer than expected, so with this in mind it was decided that rather than do another walk instead we’d do a minibus tour around the whole island. There was time built-in to stop off and see a few highlights along the way.

I don’t know whether it was the heat or the rising noise in the minibus, but by the time we made the first stop, I was desperate to get off and practically ran for some open space …we all have our moments!

Anyway… I then spent half an hour taking in the scene in front of me, a castle nestled on the banks of a lagoon surrounded by sheep, oh and a couple of deer feeding off the grass just for good measure! …and my bad mood lifted in no time!

A little bit further along the coast, we saw a group of 5 or 6 seals sunbathing on some rocks …or perhaps posing for photographers!

Our last stop was a promised stroll on the beach. It was quieter in the minibus now, I think everyone was tired, a combination of the sea air and the long walk. We’d all sleep well tonight.

We returned to the hotel for dinner at a place famous for fish and chips (and they were fab – yum!)

Post-dinner drink!

It was quite a crowd for drinks on the last night, at one stage it got up to around six …a party!

We shared stories about the day, and the whole weekend, what we’d enjoyed the most and what we’d seen. This strayed into discussions about whether people had been on other trips and if they’d do this again (of course, there was a resounding “Yes!”)

Having been relentless all evening, the midges finally saw the last of us off, and it was bedtime.

Day 4 – Packed and ready to go?

I must admit to mixed feelings about heading home.

My first thought was this is the right time to head home. I’ve had a great time, I feel rested and relaxed, and I’ve had enough time away, I miss home.

And yet there was a little part of me that was feeling I’ll be going back to the same challenges, same issues, “I’m not sure I’m ready for that!”

Perhaps I wasn’t the only one having these mixed feelings…

Last-minute gifts and meandering

We gathered slightly later this morning allowing time to check out of the hotel. When we did depart it was a very short drive to the home of two famous gift outlets, Arran Cheese and Arran Aromatics.

…and just like that we were back at Brodick having a last wander around before it was time for the Ferry, it was there I finally had a paddle in the sea!

I spent some time sitting alone on the ferry (I’m not great on boats anyway, even if the crossing is smooth). I just needed some time to take in everything from the last few days and contemplate the coming week.

It had been a glorious few days, meeting new people in a safe and supportive environment, who truly understand life as a carer.

Discussions had happened naturally and were unforced, which was how it should be. There was no pressure to talk to anyone, no group discussion, just friendliness, supportiveness and understanding.

Added to that the wonderful environment on Arran, spending time outside and to top it all off the brilliant weather …the whole weekend had come together to be just perfect.

The drive back to Edinburgh was very quiet, I think perhaps everyone else was contemplating the week ahead either that or they were asleep!

Goodbyes

If the first meeting had been very reserved and quiet, just a few short days later it was the polar opposite. Goodbye was a flurry of hugs, swapping numbers, talk of WhatsApp groups and coffee catchups.

I would say that means the Arran tour 2023 was a happy success! 😊