Lochwinnoch and beyond 9 July

Alan, Allan, Davie C, Gus, Jimmy, Johnny, Malcolm, Paul, Rex, Robert, Ronnie

Guess who had already left!

We were blessed with a beautiful summer’s morning as we assembled at Castle Semple Visitors Centre prior to our walk/cycle. Unfortunately the café didn’t open until 10am so, rather than hang around, we set off on our journeys.

Danger, man at work!

The walk

Castle Semple Loch was looking as glorious as we had ever seen it since, in the past, we have not been here in the best of weather and, indeed, this walk is sometimes used as a wet weather alternative. Five of us i.e. Allan, Davie, Jimmy, Johnny and Malcolm, decided to forego the bikes and walk along the cycle path in the direction of Kilbarchan. Coffee was taken at the ruins of the Collegiate Church and it was a pleasure to study it in some detail as we enjoyed the warmth of the sun.

The next deviation was to climb up the hill to the folly (the Temple on Bride Hill) and what a reward awaited us here as the views back up the loch to the south were superb, and those to the north towards Glasgow and its surrounds weren’t too shabby either.

Continuing on the footpath we were amazed and delighted at how busy it was with walkers and cyclists of all ages, abilities and body shapes – and we’re not just talking about the Ooters. A lazy lunch was taken at our ‘usual’ spot on the bridge on the outskirts of Kilbarchan where once again the world was put to rights.

One of the few occasions that the path was clear

We had arranged to meet the cyclists, whose plan it had been to go to Pollok Park, at about 2.30pm back at the Visitors Centre, but a phone call from Robert indicated that Paul’s seat, sorry, the seat of Paul’s bike, had broken and they might be late back as they sought a repair shop. In the event, the walkers were back by about 2.15 with the cyclists only a few minutes later. It appeared that Robert’s seat (no correction necessary) had broken as he got off his bike!

The area surrounding the Centre was hoaching, again good to see, and FRT beckoned. Malcolm recommended a change of venue, so it was to the Brown Bull in the main street that we headed. We’d had enough sun for the day so we avoided the beer garden and sat inside sampling the real ales, or should we call them craft beers?

A really good day out!