The gathering:
We gathered at Johnny's place in Irvine and partook of his usual hospitality. Thanks again,J. The day was to be in two parts for we were booked, at Davie and Jimmy's request, to visit Irvine Burns club at two-thirty. This we knew. But we gathered at Johnny's with different opinions of what the morning should be. Some thought we were for a walk in Eglington, some that we were for the coast at Ardrossan; some came armed with a peece and expected to dine alfresco, some though that we were to have lunch in the Turf Inn so came peeceless. Great debate ensued during coffee with even greater changes of mind and nothing was really decided on. Where is Robert when we need him? Eventually Ian made the decision. Ardrossan it was to be.
We were joined this morning by Allan Sim. What he thought of our organisation he kept to himself. But we have been organised for the last thirty-odd years so we deserve a little disorder now. And we are quite happy in our muddle.
We gathered at Johnny's place in Irvine and partook of his usual hospitality. Thanks again,J. The day was to be in two parts for we were booked, at Davie and Jimmy's request, to visit Irvine Burns club at two-thirty. This we knew. But we gathered at Johnny's with different opinions of what the morning should be. Some thought we were for a walk in Eglington, some that we were for the coast at Ardrossan; some came armed with a peece and expected to dine alfresco, some though that we were to have lunch in the Turf Inn so came peeceless. Great debate ensued during coffee with even greater changes of mind and nothing was really decided on. Where is Robert when we need him? Eventually Ian made the decision. Ardrossan it was to be.
We were joined this morning by Allan Sim. What he thought of our organisation he kept to himself. But we have been organised for the last thirty-odd years so we deserve a little disorder now. And we are quite happy in our muddle.
The Walk:
So, Ardrossan it was, then. And we would walk as far as Portincross or as near to here as an hour would take us for we had an appointment to keep and a two-hour walk might be sufficient for the morning. Davie led the way. On to the beach, he led us. Unlike last week, this beach was firm sand for the tide was on the ebb, leaving us with easy walking. Though the sun tried to break through and the air was reasonable dry and clear, views were restricted from this low down. But, for the third time in four weeks, we saw .... the sea. The birders looked for birds. Oystercatcher, curlew, redshank, dunlin and various gulls were spotted. Even seals were seen today, grey seals according to he who knows these things.
We came to Seamill and took to a path through the rough grasses behind the houses. A man, turning over a part of it with a spade, offered us a job but we politely declined for it was obvious to us that he was enjoying himself too much to take the work away from him. We left him to it. Then Seamill golf course was found. While the birders were content of find stonechat, the golfers tried to spot golfers but they were distant and difficult to identify. Johnny, who is neither birder nor golfer, tried to spot stray golf balls and succeeded. He picked it up for Rex. By now, our hour was up and we sat beside the path by the golf course for coffee.
The sea continued to dominate the view but the headland of Portincross was just in front of us and Arran showed across the water. It was still covered in cloud but this was lifting. Even Paddy's Milestane showed on the horizon and Jimmy was able to identify the ranges of the Galloway hills. It was a very pleasant coffee stop.
The walk back was by the same route. Golfers were spotted. This time they were much closer, close enough to see their colourful plumage, hear their communication calls and witness their bonding display. 'Ripper!' exclaimed Rex as one of the golfers displayed a particularly good move. (Remember Rex is an Aussie and uses a different language from the rest of us.) The golfers froze and looked in our direction but our presence didn't upset them unduly and they carried on with their ritual each taking his turn to display. Since there were no females present, we think they must have been competing for supremacy of the flock. We watched them until they moved away out of sight. Then we moved on.*
After a mile or so, we could see two men and a dog some two hundred metres in front of us. They looked very much like Rex and Davie with Holly. Funnily enough, when we got back to the cars Davie said when he looked back there were five old fellows following about two hundred metres behind.
This was a good couple of hours walking but, if we see the sea much more this year, some of us will be seasick.
We came to Seamill and took to a path through the rough grasses behind the houses. A man, turning over a part of it with a spade, offered us a job but we politely declined for it was obvious to us that he was enjoying himself too much to take the work away from him. We left him to it. Then Seamill golf course was found. While the birders were content of find stonechat, the golfers tried to spot golfers but they were distant and difficult to identify. Johnny, who is neither birder nor golfer, tried to spot stray golf balls and succeeded. He picked it up for Rex. By now, our hour was up and we sat beside the path by the golf course for coffee.
The sea continued to dominate the view but the headland of Portincross was just in front of us and Arran showed across the water. It was still covered in cloud but this was lifting. Even Paddy's Milestane showed on the horizon and Jimmy was able to identify the ranges of the Galloway hills. It was a very pleasant coffee stop.
The walk back was by the same route. Golfers were spotted. This time they were much closer, close enough to see their colourful plumage, hear their communication calls and witness their bonding display. 'Ripper!' exclaimed Rex as one of the golfers displayed a particularly good move. (Remember Rex is an Aussie and uses a different language from the rest of us.) The golfers froze and looked in our direction but our presence didn't upset them unduly and they carried on with their ritual each taking his turn to display. Since there were no females present, we think they must have been competing for supremacy of the flock. We watched them until they moved away out of sight. Then we moved on.*
After a mile or so, we could see two men and a dog some two hundred metres in front of us. They looked very much like Rex and Davie with Holly. Funnily enough, when we got back to the cars Davie said when he looked back there were five old fellows following about two hundred metres behind.
This was a good couple of hours walking but, if we see the sea much more this year, some of us will be seasick.
The lunch:
We returned to Johnny's where some got toffed-up for the afternoon. The rest remained as scruff. The pub lunch lobby won the day (they had to or they would starve) and we retired to the Turf Inn for a bite. No luck here though, for, contrary to the sign on the wall and Johnny's belief, the Turf didn't have food. So we went to the Ship Inn at the harbour where we enjoyed a hearty lunch. We might have enjoyed another pint but the purse holder refused to pay the prices asked. He promises to make it up to us another day.
The Burns Club:
Ian and Graham showed us round Irvine Burns Club in the afternoon. Their knowledge and enthusiasm for their subject generated an interest even amongst the non-Burnsians. Paintings were admired, original manuscripts were examined and Kilmarnock and Edinburgh editions of the poet's works were handled. The library is extensive and some would have remained there for days if we had let them. As it was, a very quick couple of hours passed, a couple of hours enjoyed by all of us. Our thanks to Ian and Graham. And our thanks to Johnny for arranging the visit.
The Burns Club:
Ian and Graham showed us round Irvine Burns Club in the afternoon. Their knowledge and enthusiasm for their subject generated an interest even amongst the non-Burnsians. Paintings were admired, original manuscripts were examined and Kilmarnock and Edinburgh editions of the poet's works were handled. The library is extensive and some would have remained there for days if we had let them. As it was, a very quick couple of hours passed, a couple of hours enjoyed by all of us. Our thanks to Ian and Graham. And our thanks to Johnny for arranging the visit.
* We think Jimmy has been watching birds for far too long. It's beginning to affect his writing.
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