The Cobbler 26 May 2010

With military-like precision eight Ooters met at the car park at Arrochar for the walk up to The Cobbler. The 'Kilmarnock' contingent, Ian, Robert, Alan and Davie (not to mention Holly - OK there you go I've mentioned her), had travelled from Ian's, whereas the Coastal Command, Rex, Paul, Johnny and Allan, had set off from Irvine. The weather was ideal for the walk with blue skies, some puffy white clouds and a slight breeze to make sure we didn't overheat.
The path opposite the car park was taken which led us on to the newish zig-zag path taking us up the first part of the ascent. Without the resident ornithologist, much debate was had about the egg-laying habits of a cuckoo, one of which was flying above us. The question 'How many eggs does a cuckoo lay in a year?' was robustly answered as either one or seventeen. Figure that one out Jimmy!
The older part of the road was attained at 1100ft and another mile took us up to the Narnain Boulders. From there it was a short journey to where the path forks and there the left path was taken for the direct ascent up the hill. It was here that Allan decided that discretion was the better part of valour since his old knees had done enough of a climb for the day. He decided he would wait at the base for the rest to climb to the top. Johnny decided to stay with him and keep him company and so six Ooters, rallying to the motto, scrambled up to the summit whilst the other two went back to the fork in the path and took the other route which takes you up between the Cobbler and Ben Narnain. They stopped for lunch at the base of the 'Stairway to Heaven' and awaited the six pack to return.
The boys up top could vouch for a fabulous* view including Jura, Inverkip and the Kelly Cut! Now why would anyone want to see the Kelly Cut again - unless they could determine the correct route from the housing scheme. Iain, keen to show that he was still a dare-devil, climbed through the eye of the needle and make the true summit of the hill. Some thought him brave, most chipped in some money to buy him some new marbles. The top of the hill was busy with a party of pupils from K.A. (don't panic - Kelvinside Academy) amongst the mass. Discussions were also had with a Dutch couple who claimed that the highest point in Holland was 200ft (or was it metres) above sea-level.
Meanwhile back at base camp lunch was taken on Ben Nicknairn whilst the time of day was passed with walkers heading off up Ben Narnain. Allan and Johhny had already been up to the top and back whilst waiting for their erstwhile colleagues to come down from the Cobbler. Now the views from the top of Ben Narnain were truly fabulous*. You can keep your Kelly Cut. From the top of Ben Narnain you can look down on the Cobbler.
The eightsome reel eventually joined up again on the path home which afforded some simply fabulous* views across to Ben Lomond and up Loch Long. The cars were reached by 3.30pm, 5 hours after setting off.
Let it be known that for FRT the committee chose to retire to the Village Inn in Arrochar which had an interesting range of ales on offer including Avalanche and Vital Spark (described by Ian as engine oil) and a very convivial hour was spent in the beer garden. However the influence of the treasurer in choosing this hostelry was evident as it transpired that this was a crisp free pub. It did sell plates of chips but this request fell on deaf ears.
On the McMeekin scale of fabulousness (see below) this had been a 5 star day.

* fabulous - an oft used term to describe anything that is O.K up to being the dictionary definition of fabulous i.e. legendary, incredibly great, wonderful
** simply fabulous - as above but better
*** truly fabulous - indescribably fabulous
**** bloody fabulous - massively fabulous, especially after 3 pints
***** f-----g fabulous - it doesn't get any better

Please note that in the absence of independent witnesses, and in this age of photoshop technology, we must assume that the tops were reached as described. Poetic licence has only been used in the interests of one-upmanship.