Failford to Stair via Enterkine 18 September

Allan, Andy, Davie C, Davie Mc, Gus, Paul, (Peter), Robert

     I’m leaning on a lamp-post at the corner of the street

     In case a certain little lady comes by

     Oh me, oh my, I hope the little lady comes……. Aaaaargh!!!!!!!

The decision had been made on the previous evening to travel to Failford rather than do the Cobbler. A good decision given the dodgy weather!

We were 10 minutes late in setting off from Failford whilst we completed the checklist for leaving a car unattended i.e handbrake on, leave in gear, chocks under the wheels, handbrake on, handbrake on …. i.e. doing what any sensible person was taught to do.

Some shady autumn sunshine

The seven of us made our way onto the River Ayr Path in what was to be a very changeable day – sunshine, showers, rain, cold wind- and it was one of those days where clothes and waterproofs were on, then off and so on. Robert, Paul, Gus and Davie Mc had set their own brakeneck speed and had decided to take the wee detour to Peden’s Pulpit whilst the rest, travelling at a more moderate pace, and not knowing to take the detour, continued on their merry way thinking the speedy group were still in front. After some fifteen minutes it dawned that they were not in front and logically had to be behind. So they waited, and shouted, and waited, and shouted, and it was not until Holly appeared from behind that their notion had been confirmed. Still there was no reply to the shouts until eventually they could hear a reply from far below – yes the boys had taken the low route and they were on the higher one. Having met up, a coffee brake was called for but those who know better suggested leaving it a bit longer.

Now, where did I leave that toothpick?

The fishermen along the river were having no luck as we passed by and continued up to the diversion at Daldorch from where we crossed over the field and joined the path and road down to Yett. Again coffee was not to be taken, surprising, as a packet of Brakeaways had been produced. The decision was to follow the road up to Enterkine Wood, and then down to Enterkine Mill, passing by Enterkine House and eventually meeting the main road and turning left down to a bench on the way to Gadgirth Bridge. Here, we did stop for a well-earned lunch, brunch, whatever! We ate all we had in our piece boxes before being entertained by wee Davie who gave us five minutes of brake-dancing. How he could spin on his head and eat his banana at the same time was a mystery. For his encore, he rolled down the hill and hit a lamp-post.

From here we turned left at the river, rejoining the path, and passing under the Enterkine Viaduct before continuing up towards Stair. This part of the route had seen some work done and was looking the better for it, and the only real water-logged part of the path only lasted thirty metres or so. Soon we were retracing our steps to Daldorch and beyond, before coming across a vision in the distance. Yes, it was oor Peter, who had come down to join us for FRT but, rather than wait at Failford, had decided to walk up to meet us.

Failford has the attraction of an Inn with real ales, but it would be even more attractive if it would open at times convenient to the Ooters. So it was to Poosie Nansie’s in Mauchline that we travelled. The walk had taken a tad over 5 hours, a strenuous enough day out for some!

P.S. Rumour has it that Jimmy is trading in his car for a shooting brake.