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!