15 May 2024 - Croy Shore to Maidens (and return)

 Rex, Graham, Davie M, Jimmy, Bob, Hugh, Gus, Paul

Eight Ooters gathered in the car park at Croy Shore on a pleasant morning with the fulfilled promise of a warm day ahead.  It should be noted that Davie arrived well before the Kilmarnock contingent.

A haze meant that Arran was obscured as we made our way along the beach to Culzean.  One wide burn had to be negotiated and those who chose not to wear walking boots probably regretted it.  We also had to traverse extremely smelly seaweed, with Davie claiming his boots had been overtopped by the stuff.  Terra a bit more firma was reached at Segganwell Cottages (though Jimmy chose to extend his beach walk a little for some photo opportunities) and we visited the gas house and admired the exhibition.  The chap overseeing the furnace could easily have been mistaken for an Ooter. 

"Which one?" I hear you ask.  

(c) J Johnstone Esq

Coffee was taken at our usual spot above the Castle gardens and then we proceeded anti-clockwise around the Swan Pond.  A "dead" swan was probably just resting. 

At the pagoda we patiently waited for Jimmy and Davie who, it was assumed, would appear soon.  Eventually we decided to patiently wait no longer and this was the correct decision since we met up with them, arriving from a different direction, at the top of the steps which descend to Maidenhead Bay.    Traversing more sand and seaweed we reached our lunch spot at Maidens Harbour.  

The return trip featured minor variations. We entered Culzean via the bridge over the Hogston Burn at Ardlochan House, we went anti-clockwise around the Swan Pond, with Robert pointing out the skunk cabbage growing at the pondside , and at Segganwell Cottages we followed the path above the beach which runs as far as Goatsgreen Cottage.

Your scribe should have paid more attention to Davie's wise words but it was 'about' a four hour walk.  Distance 'about' 9 miles.  

There was some debate about the venue for FRT.  The newly re-opened inn at Dunure and Balgarth Pines were proposed.  The latter was chosen although the dissenters were not easily assuaged.  It was a good choice and the sitootery (Davie had to explain this to the barman) was an ideal spot for an hour's 'wide-ranging' conversation.

A grand day out in perfect weather.

Some images from the Croy to Maidens walk

 

Arrangements for Wed 22 nd May

  Meet at Kirkfieldbank for the walk along the Clyde . Meeting time 10.00.a.m.

The Loch Lapraik Circular Walk

 Present: Alan, Bob, Gus, Jimmy, Dougie, Graeme, Rex, Hugh, Killie Davie and Derval Davie

First to set the record straight right away, the name of this new loch beside the Muirkirk-Cumnock road is  not Loch Wellwood, as it was copyrighted many years ago by yours truly as a token of appreciation for John Lapraik, a fellow poet and  friend of Robert Burns. (See Epistle to John Lapraik by Robert Burns). Lapraik lived on the other side of the road from the loch and his grave can be seen in Muirkirk churchyard. So that's you tell't, Jimmy.

Anyway, the above 10 met in Kames carpark for what was to be a semi-new walk round the loch as the Early Ooters had never come this way before. The weather forecast was favourable for the whole day, and so it turned out to be as we set set off down by Tibbie's Brig (Tibbie Pagan, another poetess and contemporary of Burns), along the Garpel Water, before ascending the steps onto the old railway. However, today we did not make a right turn to Wellwood farm, but instead carried straight on along the old track, with Bob showing compassion for Dougie and his artificial hips, by lifting the old rusty gate clear so that he could pass through. See, I knew that Bob could be a nice guy!

We ambled along at a nice pace with the vista of the new loch suddenly appearing before us. We turned left and started the uphill climb towards the big rock which has been upended on the top of the hill. En route we met up with Bob Stakim, the husband of one of DD's nieces who was out doing a bit of birdwatching.

After a short conversation with Bob, 3 of our number decided to take the path to the right, while the other 7 decided to head up to Russel Griggs's stone. (Russel Griggs, who he?  For the answer , consult Gus.)

After a photo shoot at the top, we retraced our steps to follow the other three. As we proceeded along the west side of Loch Lapraik, we could see clearly the memorial to the Rev. Richard Cameron and the other Covenanters who were buried here after the Battle of Airds Moss on the 20th July 1680. Before long, we crossed a wee brig over the outlet to the loch, noticing that the water was crystal clear as it made its way  to join the river Ayr.

Soon we had joined up again with the front three on the boardwalk where we all had lunch as we normally do at this point. As we made our way back to Kames along the river, Isla had a great time retrieving sticks from the river. The cars were reached 3 hours and 50 minutes after we had set off; so the answer to last week's blog question is: yes, your scribe does tell lies. It did not just take 3 hours for the walk!

No FRT today as this was our scheduled curry night where the above 10 were joined by Johnny, Billy Ronnie and Malcolm. The food was absolutely delicious, albeit each course taking some time to arrive. Of course this allowed more time for the consumption of wine and beer. KD suggested a chorus of the Ooters' Song, and then  promptly forgot the words! DD had to leave before the bill arrived to catch the Derval bus  at 5 to 10, but promises to pay his debts next week.

All in all this was an absolutely super day with everybody enjoying the walk, the food, the banter. Long may we continue to enjoy days like this!

Arrangements for Wed15 May

 Meet in the lower car park Croy Shore for a walk to Maidens and back. Meeting time 10.00.a.m.