Pre Christmas walk.

 Meet in the Sorn church car park at 10.00.a.m. for a short walk along the river to Catrine and back.

Darvel and Curry 17th December

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

It was yet another dour, dreich rainy morning as we met at Davie’s in Darvel for coffee and mince pies. Many thanks again to Kay and Davie for their hospitality and it was good to see Kay recovering well from her leg-break.

Given the conditions there was no dissent to altering the proposed walk to one nearer to Davie’s and having some shelter, so his idea of doing the avenues walk was well-received and with the promise that it would only take an hour and a half or so we got ready for the off. Fortunately, it had dried up by this time, and we made our way to the gate into Lanfine and up the path past the boars. The weather was holding out at this point, but before too long umbrellas were up as we took the road down towards Newmilns. Given the rain that had fallen over recent days and weeks we were glad that our chosen walk today was on firm ground as the fields around were saturated.

Having come down to the outskirts on Newmilns we followed the riverside path back towards Darvel in worsening conditions reaching the cars at about half-past eleven having covered nearly four and a half miles. Quickly trying to get changed and dried out, we set off for home in anticipation of our Christmas curry at the Jewel later in the day.

 

Those above were joined by Alan, Billy, Graham, Kenny T, and Peter for the six o’clock start at the restaurant. It was just as well that we enjoyed each other’s company as we had a while to wait for our starters and then our main courses, but the food was enjoyable when it came. Katrina had to hold the fort catering to the needs of seventeen of us and another table of ten until Lucy arrived to help well after seven. As per usual we ended the evening with Killie Davie leading us in the Ooters’ song before most heading off for a nightcap in Wetherspoon’s. Although starting earlier than normal at the Jewel, it was still nearly ten o’clock when we got there, rounding off a very convivial evening.

 

Some from today's wander in the Valley

 

Knockroon to Dumfries House 12th December

 

The Ooters they like sunshine, the Ooters they like sna’

But these dreich and dour conditions, they cannae hack at a’

Wi’ flooded paths, mud and glaur, driving rain and a’

Ye get tae the pub early wi’ the Ooters

 

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

It had rained heavily on the way to Knockroon but, by the time we were ready to set off to Dumfries House, it had gone off leaving a chilly wind. Davie and Isla went towards Auchinleck before cutting down through the overgrown path whilst Jimmy led the rest to the new school and out behind it on to the Lugar path, which was thankfully dry.

Davie was waiting for us at the underpass, and we were in good spirits as the weather was improving, so we headed to our usual coffee spot in the arboretum and enjoyed a fifteen-minute break during which a decision was made to carry on to the A-frame. However, we were thwarted as, after a couple of hundred yards, the path was flooded to the extent that even our most intrepid members agreed that we would turn back.

Jimmy suggested walking up the path to the Temple Gate so, like the Grand Old Duke of York, he marched us up to the top of the hill and then marched us down again. Next stop was the walled garden where we found some shelter and took an early lunch.

There was some talk of visiting the crucifix but, in the end, all decided to take the quickest way back to the cars which was good news for Graham who was struggling with sore ankles. Back at the underpass most turned left to take the track up along Auchinleck Burn whilst Davie, Rex and Johnny went straight on retracing Davie’s earlier route. Just as we thought we had won a watch with the weather, the rain started again and the main group got a soaking walking along the main road back to Knockroon, but our luck changed, as the rain went off when we reached there allowing us to get changed in dry conditions.

FRT was taken in the Black Bull in Mauchline where, as usual, the sausage rolls were most welcome. Thanks again, folks.

Despite the fifteen minutes driving rain, it had been a good day out, all things considered, with the six and a half miles or so done in three hours, including all the stops.

Arrangements for 17th December

Meet at Derval Davie's at 9.30 for coffee and scones. Then we motor towards Loudoun Hill and walk back to Darvel. Two hours says our local sage. Christmas curry in the evening.