A damp day in Edinburgh

A Merry Russian Orthodox old calendar Christmas to you all by the way!

I had a meeting this morning in Victoria Quay, which it seems has a wierd hum on windy days, sounding like the roof is going to take off. And it really wasn't that windy, nothing like the west coast has been recently. I hope that all of you are safe and warm, though I know many are not.

My brother in law posted the following on Facebook on Saturday about the weather conditions and ensuing chaos it caused in Ardrossan when he got back from an overnight with the kids in Glasgow. Some background: Ardrossan Harbour is the mainland berth for the big ferry to and from the Isle of Arran. If they are concerned about the weather they berth overnight in Brodick rather than Ardrossan, where they are timetabled to stay. What used to happen was if they couldn't get in to Ardrossan (a truly terrible harbour), they would sail to Gourock, which is a much better harbour, but that hasn't happened for a while as the Caledonian Isles can't get in there. The Clansman is the replacement ferry as the Caledonian Isles went away on Thursday night away for it's annual service.

Anyway, now I've explained some terminology, for your information and entertainment is Chris's post:
"Just back from an overnight at Braehead with the kids. Epic journey. Left on Fri morning on the Clansman sailing to Gourock (anyone explain why our own ferry can't do that?) Got to Gourock at 10.20. Shuttle bus from there to Ardrossan...... road closed at Skelmorlie. All the way round via M8/Paisley/Dalry.

Got to Ardrossan at 1245. Having been over on Thursday for the day I left the car in the 'Secure' car park. Knowing the weather forecast parked on a piece of higher ground near the ferry ramp & gate.... Never seen anything like Ardrossan harbour after 43 years living on the west coast. Waves had cut through the solid stone wall & were throwing bricks, stones, wood all over the carpark. High tide not till 1330!

The road to the ferry terminal was under water. The middle of the car park was now the sea with water up to car windows. The ferry waiting area was a river. A man came into the waiting room soaked up to his waist in water & said he had just retrieved his car from a little island near the gate. He said get yours now else its gone in 15 mins. I waded knee deep across the road & through the gate. Water was up to bottom of car door. It started first time. I took it to the exit road revved it like a racing car & floored it hoping that the waves flying over the wall didnt have bricks. Thought I would just drive out but no... there was a young lad in the pay box who stuck his hand out & asked for the money. I said would you like a tip... he said that's up to you pal... I told him get a boat & offer a park & ride service to get more money out of the poor sods who parked here. He said its no ma fault.

Leaving on the delayed 1515 Clansman ferry today the car park was wasted. One end ripped to bits & no tarmac left. Cars with windscreens smashed, roofs with bashes. One family had another car washed by a wave into the side of their car. Cars abandoned on the exit road where they stopped with flooded engines. Still taking money! No help, no advice, no messages, no tow trucks - there is a f....ing garage behind the pay desk!"