Cafe Riva at Inverkip Marina takes its name from the classic Riva Aquarama speedboat which although it went out of production in 1999 is still much sought after by the rich and famous.. 
My experiences on the ocean wave, however, weren’t nearly so high powered or spritely!
Love, hate
Being here is a bit of a nostalgia trip. For quite a few years I would be leaving from here on a 34ft Westerly Falcon called Brizo. Six knots was the maximum speed and we didn’t hit that very often. Having said that, we did once manage an exhilarating 14 knots but only with the help of the infamous Corryvreckan whirlpool. The boat was owned by a syndicate, all of whom lived down south. Being the only relatively local person, I was called upon every other weekend to crew with whichever member of the syndicate’s turn it was to have the boat. With seven berths there were many happy adventures exploring the coastlines of Scotland and Ireland. For me personally it was a love hate relationship. I was always fine on board until we left the marina whereupon I would promptly be sick … never ever found my sea legs!
Always worth it in the end though. Some great trips as far as Orkney and St Kilda in some fantastic company. 
Closing time
The marina has got bigger since these days and Café Riva is one of the new additions. We had the misfortune to arrive fifteen minutes before closing. 
The tables and chairs were already being taken in. Somewhat grudgingly they agreed to provide us with a scone and some tea. The fact that we couldn’t sit inside wasn’t a problem since the day was a bit cloudy but lovely and warm. Our tea and scone was plonked on our table without ceremony. The scone in a paper bag and the tea in cardboard cups. By now, you have probably guessed that this was never going to be a topscone. But we enjoyed sitting there watching the rest of the tables and chairs disappearing inside. 
Nightmares
In our previous post from Helensbank we mentioned the plight of the five people stuck in a mini-submarine near the wreck of the Titanic. Barak Obama rightly questioned the wall to wall media coverage it was getting. Of course, we now know it resulted in the sad loss of all five lives. Obama was comparing it to the comparatively scant coverage given to the loss of 700 lives in a fishing boat off the coast of Italy. Both were tragedies for everyone involved. We think, however, the uneven coverage was probably due to a basic human condition. Being trapped in a cold dark place for days on end simply waiting for your oxygen to run out relates to peoples most base fears … the stuff of nightmares. The Mediterranean tragedy wasn’t relatable in quite the same way.
Just outside Café Riva was this intriguing sculpture which we could also relate to. On the little plaque it said “Sometimes We Get It Right”
Promising signs .. or not?
Elsewhere, part of Russia’s army, the infamous Wagner Group seems to be in a state of mutiny. However, they probably haven’t fully reckoned in dealing with a duplicitous Moscow. Similarly Humza Yousaf, First Minister of Scotland, has just published his road map to Scottish Independence. However, we think he probably hasn’t fully reckoned with the duplicitous parcel of rogues at Westminster.
PA16 0AW tel: 01475 789850 Café Riva
///equality.brisk.roofs
The Birds! We often spot a new exotic feathered friend and exclaim what do you think it is, with no likely answers forthcoming, we are inclined to agree “Pat would know”
Just wondered what’s happening with our feathered friends as they have not had a mention for some considerable time.
Okay David, some people just want everything! Obviously we do spot birds on our adventures but I guess we haven’t been reporting them. We have been told. The other day we got 30 different species in Sandy’s garden .. and a weasel and a squirrel and a deer!
Kind of like yourselves and the scones, only perfect when you get everything right.
Scones, sheds ands glimpse of local history with the odd dod of politics are good but the addition of a mention of wildlife spotted would just complete the event.
Keep on trecking, we will enjoy your stories with or without our feathered friends
The word ‘ploncked’ just about sums up this post! It spoiled everything,especially 15minutes ‘before ‘closing time.
Anyway you still managed to enjoy your visit to a place so full of memories .
‘Plonked’ is just short of ‘thrown’ … it was difficult deciding which to use 😀
Hi there, I see you are venturing to our side of the country, all be it a little to the north. A pity about your timing and the response from your hosts, the illustrious Nardini’s.
Whatever happened to “the customer is always right”
Returning to sailing I thought your adventure’s were on Trapper of Goil, or is that a story for another day. At least you survived to tell your stories unlike the many poor unfortunates we read about these days. The world really is in a mess, unfortunately I used to blame my old mother for her generation causing it all. Just wonder who I can lay the blame on now.
You two take care and keep posting.
PS what about the birds?
Trapper of Goil?? Think you’ve lost the plot David, blaming your mum for the state of the world. I think she would be horrified to see it now, as would her twin sister. As long as there are scones, there’s hope!
PS what about the birds
It is a long time since we were down that way and driving through Glasgow was a bit of a nightmare, busy, busy, busy. We used to do it everyday going to and from work, am I glad those days are gone. We had lunch in Buckley’s at The Chartroom which was lovely and then our scone. It’s our first one delivered to us in a paper bag, first time for everything I suppose. 😂