Adventures of the Early Ooters

Thursday, 3 July 2025

Croy to Maidens 2nd July

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

Eleven Ooters met up at the car park at Croy shore on a rainy morning but, with blue skies in the distance, and a promise of sunshine within the hour, we set off on the beach towards Culzean. By hallway the light rain had just about gone off and by the time we took the steps up off the shore and into Culzean it was warming up nicely. At this point we met Derval Davie and Isla who had walked from Maidens to meet us and, after a short stop to exchange pleasantries, we marched on to the shelter at the battery to have coffee. It has to be said that Culzean’s current theme is ‘Alice in Wonderland’ with large Lego models of the characters dotted around the park. This certainly pleased the kids amongst us!

Having refreshed ourselves the next stop was at the far end of the algae-covered Swan Pond at which point Alan, Allan and Johnny decided that this would be their turning point whilst the rest walked on to find the steps down to the beach and thence to Maidens for lunch at the harbour. The three walked up the avenue and took in the walled garden which was in fine fettle with a particularly nice wildflower border. Some tourists, mainly from the far east were being given a tour after which they got into executive transport and were whisked off – how the other half live! After having explored the bookshop, the threesome took lunch on the adjacent bench in what was now glorious sunshine.

Moving on they passed through the very busy visitor centre before taking the steps back down to the beach and re-tracing their steps back to the cars arriving back at quarter past one having covered, we think, six and a half miles. Whilst waiting for the main party Derval Davie arrived having driven from Maidens to meet us and when he saw the guys coming into sight, he took Isla on to the beach and walked to meet them.

The others arrived back at two o’clock having followed a similar return journey through Culzean and having done nine miles or so.

FRT was taken at the Dunure Inn/Anchorage where we enjoyed a good hour and were surprised and delighted to be given two complimentary portions of chips. A grand day out!






 

Wednesday, 2 July 2025

Wednesday, 25 June 2025

20th Anniversary of the Ooters

 The Jewel has now been provisionally booked for Wed 27August to celebrate our 20 years of walking together. The Jewel has been provisionally booked for about 16 people . I will finalise numbers nearer the time.

Portencross 25th June

Alan McQ, Allan, Davie C, Graham, Gus, Hugh, Kenny R, Malcolm, Rex, Robert

The skies were overcast but it was dry with no rain expected as we set off on the familiar Portencross circuit. Passing the castle, we made short work of the path to the power stations and continued along the road until we saw the turn-off through the gate that would start to take us on the return leg. Coffee was taken at the usual spot at the large stones just before we reached the bridle path.

We enjoyed our break, but fifteen minutes later we were off again making good progress down the track until we came to the path which led to Goldenberry Hill. There was a 5-5 split here with Allan, Davie, Kenny, Malcolm and Robert continuing on the low traditional route whilst the rest took to the hill. The first group couldn’t help but notice the electricity infrastructure that was being installed and remembered that on our last visit only the groundworks had been completed. Having made it to the main road and then turned back on to Thirdpart, they could just make out the guys at the top of the hill. As they made their way back to Portencross Road it was commented that the fields of barley, and there were plenty of them, were in good nick after all the heat and the rain. Turning back down the road towards the cars they met the other group as they emerged from the entrance to Ardneil Farm and the ten made it back to the cars by 12.35pm. Not bad for seven miles by the low group and six and a half for the hill-climbers who said that the hill was straightforward and offered great views for not a lot of effort.

Lunch was taken at the benches at the car park before FRT was taken at the Lauriston where, as usual, a most convivial time was had.