Alan and Rex's final munro.

                                The support group assembled near the Aonach Mor lift station.

                                         Rex and Alan with Emma and the Speur Ghlan poster.

                                         Finally made it in spite of the baltic conditions.

Christmas Curry

Christmas lunch has been booked at the Ashoka at 1pm on Wednesday 19th December and deposit paid.

24 October: Ardrossan to Irvine

When Johnny comes out to play again

Hurrah! Hurrah!

We'll give him a hearty welcome then

Hurrah! Hurrah!

He’ll give us scones and rhubarb jam

(and sometimes you’ll even get a dram)

And we'll all feel gay when Johnny comes out to play

We’ll get the bus to Ardrossan town

Hurrah! Hurrah!

We’ll go upstairs, but Jimmy’ll stay down

Hurrah! Hurrah!

We’ll learn how to wire a double switch

Bet it won’t go without a hitch

And we'll all feel gay when Johnny comes out to play

We’ll watch those  bikes on the promenade

Hurrah! Hurrah!

A speeding one can whack you hard

Hurrah! Hurrah!

And we’ll see the locals walk their dugs

And maybe do a deal of drugs

And we'll all feel gay when Johnny comes out to play

We’ll meet Ronnie’s friends from the CTC

Hurrah! Hurrah!

Perhaps he’ll invite them back for tea

Hurrah! Hurrah!

We’ll stop for a break at 12 o’clock

And Malcolm will give us Edinburgh Rock

And we'll all feel gay when Johnny comes out to play

We’ll see the countryside at its best

Hurrah, hurrah!

Old fridges, freezers, and the rest

Hurrah, hurrah!

And we’ll see the school where Ian taught

And he’ll promise not to be distraught

And we'll all feel gay when Johnny comes out to play

Then we’ll all go back to 1-6-3

Hurrah! Hurrah!

Some’ll be dying for a pee

Hurrah! Hurrah!

And we’ll be such a happy group

Cos Johnny’ll give us bread and soup

And we'll all feel gay when Johnny comes out to play

Durisdeer 17 October

Alan, Allan, Davie Mc, Jimmy, Paul, Peter, Rex, Robert, Ronnie

At the Crown in Sanquhar there is a star

It’s the lady who works behind the bar

Took pity on some drookit souls

With two big plates of sausage rolls

The weather forecast had been poor with heavy rain expected and as we journeyed down to Durisdeer for the Morton Castle walk the rain got heavier and heavier. However, as we changed into our wet weather gear in the church, the decision was made to go at least as far as the bothy before reviewing the situation. The route has been described on previous blogs so suffice it to say that, given the conditions, we didn’t hang about (now there’s a surprise!) in making our way up the puddle-splattered track to the howff. As we dried out and, with Rex having started the fire in the stove, the steam rose and coffee/lunch was partaken amidst the haze. It is probably the earliest lunch stop we have ever had since we had started walking at about 10.15 and the trek had only taken about 40 minutes. Most were of the opinion that we end the walk there and return to the cars whilst one or two (who shall remain nameless to protect their guilt) were in favour of continuing the circular walk.

As we blethered and as Davie entered our details in the bothy log we were joined by two lads from Dumfries, Ryan and Nicholas, who, being self-employed window cleaners, had been washed out for the day and had come up to the hills for a walk. As Holly ‘greeted’ their big dug, a convivial conversation ensued and Ronnie took the opportunity to get his varifocals cleaned by experts. A miniature set of windscreen wipers will be fitted before the next wet walk.

When it was time to bid them farewell we assembled outside the bothy where by this time the rain had almost gone off. “Who’s for the circular walk to Morton Castle?” asked Jimmy. The silence was deafening.

And so we returned down the track to the cars and dry clothes, although it has to be said that the weather had improved markedly on the descent. But, as our leader suggested, more heavy rain could not be ruled out.

Our usual haunt in this neck of the woods is the Crown in Sanquhar and we hit our watering hole much earlier that we usually do. As always we find the atmosphere most welcoming and, as we supped up, the barmaid presented us with a large plate of lovely, hot sausage rolls. “There’s more on the way”, she said and before long a second one arrived. Brilliant!

Many thanks for the hospitality! We’ll be back.

Over the last year or two we’ve had stovies at the Mercat in Cumnock, shortbread at the Corner Bar in Lochwinnoch, our Ne’erday in the Black Bull in Darvel and scones at the Coachhouse in Muirkirk.

With a welcome like those it’s no wonder we continue to support the wee local pubs. And to think that after spending a fortune at a recently done-up hotel in Arran they wouldn’t even give us some nuts for the table! Say no more!

Some photos

Arran

Hercules?

Industrial Lancashire