Portencross 5th November

Alan, Alan McQ, Allan, Davie C, Dougie, Graham, Gus, Hugh, Johnny, Paul, Rex

For the second week running it was pouring as we met, and the forecast indicated that there would be no let-up until early afternoon. There was no dissent to the notion that we would avoid Goldenberry Hill and simply do the weel-kent circular walk in the clockwise direction. Leaving the car park at Portencross and passing by the castle, the first section across the field was the wettest part underfoot and, with no shelter, it was a task to keep the umbrellas under control in the stiff breeze, but soon we were on tarmac at the power station. 

Marching on in the very dreich conditions, we eventually turned off the road onto the path which starts our return journey, and we stopped at the stones, our usual coffee spot. Not today however, as there was no shelter there, so we continued along the bridle path until we had some tree cover, and we took a break there. It was not a day to linger so we continued to the main road and then turned back towards Thirdpart passing some miserable looking cattle and a llama, or perhaps an alpaca*, in the fields. The final leg down Portencross Road is always a slog but, after being well-strung out, we were all back at the cars by quarter to one having done 7.3 miles.

Getting changed when it is raining is always a challenge but thankfully it began to ease and by the time we had had our pieces it was off, just in time to make our way to the Lauriston. Jings and crivens, help ma boab! The Sports bar, our usual haunt, was closed and was not to open until four o’clock but the lounge bar was empty, and we made ourselves comfortable there for an hour and a half. The walk had been miserable, but we had done our steps for the day and enjoyed our refreshments as well as the usual banter in the hotel where we treated ourselves to chips. 

For those who weren’t present, here is a teaser: If the answer is 50%, what is the question? 

*Alpacas are smaller, gentler animals with soft fleece prized for textiles, while llamas are larger, have a coarser double coat, and are often used as pack animals due to their protective and independent nature. Key differences include their size (llamas are significantly larger), face shape (alpacas have blunt faces and short ears, llamas have longer faces and longer, "banana-shaped" ears), and fibre quality. 

 

Arrangements for Wednesday 12th November

Alloway/Ayr

Meet at the carpark at Belleisle for a walk around Alloway/Ayr which will include a visit to the Rozelle Gallery and the mural in the Alloway Railway Tunnel.

Failford Gorge 29th October

 

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

Heading down the A77 towards the Sandyford roundabout the rain was falling in biblical proportions and was to continue as we headed for Failford. It didn’t let up and there were some, you can guess who, who didn’t want to leave their car, but by ten o’clock most were huddled together in the bus stop in the hope that the rain would abate. It was twenty past when all were ‘ready’ to go even although it was still chucking it down and, with a plan to walk to Peden’s Pulpit in place, we made our way on soggy paths.

On the first flight of steps, we encountered a cascade of water coming down them but eventually we reached drier ground and reached our target. There was a new barrier erected, at least new to your scribe who hadn’t been there for a couple of years, to prevent access to the steps to the pulpit, and so, after a few minutes, we retraced our steps back to junction of the paths. By this time the rain had eased off, so another decision was made that we would walk up to the bench and return by the higher path. Nobody took the lower riverside path, and all reached the aforementioned bench in better spirits, as the rain had gone and there were blue skies to be seen. Re-evaluating the situation, it was then agreed we would walk up to the style at Daldorch Farm before returning, but, in the event, we were back at the bench within five minutes as the path ahead was unpassable due to flooding.

Coffee was taken before we started on the way back with some choosing to take the lower route along the riverside whilst the rest stayed on the upper path. Meeting up again, we then continued high before remembering to take the path on our right down to our starting point. We were back at the cars by about quarter past twelve having covered four and a half miles or so and, after getting changed, we consumed the rest of our pieces before heading up to the Black Bull in Mauchline for FRT. After a very wet start, the day had turned out fine, albeit that the walk had been cut short. 

Given that the pub didn’t open until one o’clock, the locals were presented with the sight of a group of retired professional gentlemen, with tongues hanging out, awaiting its opening. What has the world, or the Ooters, come to? Nonetheless, the door eventually was opened by what looked like the cleaning lady and we all poured in. She was trying to accommodate us but within a few minutes the regular barmaid arrived to the applause of the assembled company and normal service was resumed. A good hour and a half was spent here and we were again treated to sausage rolls and biscuits. Many thanks again to our barmaid of the year. 

On getting home some were told by their better halves that they had encountered little or no rain showing just how localised the deluge had been.

Some images fro a soggy walk at Failford today. Please excuse the pictures as my camera was becoming waterlogged.

Just a trifle moist.

How many Ooters can be squashed into a bus shelter?

Fish ladder?

And the sun came out.

Droothy Ooters

 

Wednesday 5th November : Portencross Circular

Meet at Portencross for the circuit round by Hunterston with the option of a walk over Goldenberry Hill.