Irvine to Troon 1 August

Allan, Andy, Ian, Johnny, Paul, Peter, Rex, Robert

The forecast had been dismal for today so instead of Irish Law we assembled at Johnny’s and discussed over a coffee the options for the day. Whilst the rain battered off the Velux window thoughts turned away from walking to various other topics including the delicacies each had had for the previous evening’s meal. Peter was very reluctant to state what his meal had been but when it was revealed that he had washed it down with a little Chianti it dawned on us that his wife hadn’t been seen for some time.

The rain went off and the decision was made to walk down to the beach and then proceed to Troon. As we left the sky was dark and waterproofs were donned but they soon came off again as despite the overhead conditions it was too hot to wear them. They were to be put back on only on a couple of occasions during the walk and, as usual, by the time they were on the rain had eased. Given the forecast we were very fortunate with conditions today.

For Jimmy: 6 gannets at lunch

Anyway, the beach at Irvine was reached and discovering that the tide was in and walking on the soft sand was hard going we left the beach and found the path behind the sand dunes. A coffee/lunch stop was called for at the sandstone shelter whilst we pondered the possibility of a fish supper at the Wee Hurrie. Hence some had a coffee and others ate their pieces in anticipation of what might be to come.

Chips meet with seal of approval

The next part of the walk saw us keeping to the path eventually entering the grounds of Western Gailes Golf Course before taking to the beach just short of Barassie. Robert was starving at this point and insisted on us stopping at the picnic benches for lunch, although, as previously stated, not all had anything left to eat. Entertainment was provided by jet fighters flying into and around Prestwick Airport – did the Olympics have a bearing on this? As we sat we could look back up the coast to the blackness that overhung Largs and beyond – good decision!

Within an hour we were indeed at the Wee Hurrie and tucking into fish and chips whilst watching the activity at the harbour and enjoying the seals perform in the water.

FRT was taken at the Harbour Bar before we caught the bus back to Irvine.