Arrangements for 4th February

 Meet at Dundonald Castle at 10am for the Smugglers' Trail.

Some images from the Irvine shore walk

Ayr and Pool 21st January

Alan, Alan McQ, Allan, Davie C, Dougie, Graham, Gus, Ian, Rex, Robert

We met at Rex’s on a nice, dry morning and welcomed Ian who had come down form darkest North Lanarkshire to participate in our legendary pool competition. First things first though as we had a walk to do and, given the necessity to get the competition started reasonably early, a two-hour walk would suffice, so we set off down to the cycle track, through the tunnel bedecked with the murals, and continued down to Greenan. Passing above the castle we walked to the Millenium bridge and then turned right to go up to the wee roundabout at Parks’ garage and then straight up the road and back to Rex’s covering between five and five and a half miles in two hours exactly.

Rex had the pies on as soon as we got back and the competition proved, as always, to be good fun. Robert insisted that he got a mention for potting four balls in a row (some of them even his own) and mention also must be made of the fact that no balls ended up on the floor this year. There were some great shots and plenty of diabolical misses, but the final was keenly contested by last year’s winner, Robert, and Graham, with Graham winning out in the end. Well done to Graham! Indeed, well done to all for participating. And we were finished by half past two!

Thanks to Barbara and Rex for their hospitality and to Rex for arranging the pies (and, for some, it was a four-pie day).

An excellent day!

 

Arrangements for 28th January

Morning

Meet at Johnny's at 9.30 for coffee and delivery of food/drink for the evening. Walk to be decided on the day but probably Irvine beach to Barassie and back.

Burns Supper

Be at Johnny's from 6pm for a prompt start to the meal at 6.30. Hope to be finished by 10.30.

A Frame to Auchinleck House 14th January

 

Alan, Alan McQ, Allan, Davie C, Davie Mc, Dougie, Graham, Gus, Hugh, Jimmy, Johnny, Malcolm, Paul, Rex, Robert

Fifteen Ooters met at the A Frame on a dry, bright, chilly morning for a walk to Auchinleck House via Ochiltree. Despite the recent rain, underfoot conditions weren’t too bad on the first leg down to the Lugar Walk but in a couple of wee sections of the path some of the recent improvements had been washed away undoing the good work that had been done. Indeed, a length of narrow rope had been attached to trees to afford a ‘handrail’ on a tricky, muddy section. Nonetheless as said before, the path was generally fine, and the bridge at Ochiltree was reached after forty minutes or so.

Crossing the road, we went down the steps, passing the time of day with a couple who were having coffee at the bench, and walked on to the new path which avoids the necessity to cross over the wet grass on the fields. There is a steep climb on this new path but nothing to trouble the company and, in no time, we were at the road leading up to Boswell’s Coach House. Derval Davie decided that enough was enough for one day and turned back with Isla, whilst the rest continued up the road to sit at the steps in front of Auchinleck House for coffee/brunch.

There was some discussion about doing some more, but most decided to simply return from there so all set off back the way they had come. On reaching the new path, Dougie, who had to be home early, decided to go straight on up the road and Alan, Davie and Johnny accompanied him while the remaining ten retraced their steps down to Ochiltree and then back to the cars reaching them at ten to one having covered seven miles. Not the biggest walk we do but with plenty of ups and downs enough to get the legs well stretched. Davie and Isla had only just arrived back whilst the road walkers had been there for around twenty minutes having done six miles.

It was a lot milder by this time and, with rain threatened later, we set off for our favourite pub, the Black Bull in Mauchline where Gillian was on duty today and treated us, as usual, to sausage rolls. Thanks again, much appreciated! A good hour and a bit having been spent here, we set off for home, just in time for the first spots of rain to appear. We had got the best of the weather and had enjoyed our day out.