Bridge of Weir to Kilmacolm 27 June

Allan, Davie C, Gus, Ian, Jim, Johnny, Kenny T, Malcolm, Paul, Rex, Robert

The glorious weather continued as we set off from Bridge of Weir on our way to Kilmacolm. The sign on the cycle path said three miles and that would be enough on such a warm day. Twenty minutes down the path we turned off and headed for Quarrier’s Village, which was looking resplendent in the sunshine. Last time we were here coffee was taken in the Three Sisters Bake, but, on this occasion, we decided to sit on the benches outside and refresh ourselves with whatever was in our rucksacks.

All too soon it was time to move on, up past the big church and across the field behind it, then following the river to the road bridge, which took us over the river and enabled us to rejoin the cycle path half a mile further up. Two miles to Kilmacolm from here said the sign and it was a pleasant enough walk with there being enough shaded sections to help us along. We turned off the path (which goes on to Port Glasgow) at the Pullman Bar and Restaurant (obviously an old station), turned down Lochwinnoch Road and then took a left into Milton Wood. The twenty-minute walk down the path offered us plenty of shade before our leader, Kenny, took us off left down to Pinewood Trout Fishery. Here, on a shaded spot, we partook of a leisurely lunch. The banter was, as usual, lively but there was a sharp intake of breath as Kilmarnock’s fashion guru, yes, Robert of all people, suggested that Paul’s attire lacked a certain sartorial elegance! Re-arrange into a well-known phrase or saying: kettle, the, calling, black, pot, the.
Leaving the fishery, we did not return back up the track but took a left and headed down to the road, and, by turning left again, we regained the cycle track in about five minutes. With the sign saying two miles back to Bridge of Weir, we were in good spirits, but it proved to be a long two miles.
Three and a half hours and eight and a half miles in the scorching heat was long enough and we took the sensible option of sitting inside at Amaretto’s for a very welcome FRT.

Pause for thought

Impressive!

The shade on the path to the fishery was welcome

Lunch spot

Cool dudes!

Lunkey Hole walk Muirkirk Wed 4th July

This is to satisfy a special request from our junior member Alan McQuiston. Meet at Kaimes  Outdoor centre about 9.45a.m. for a 10.00 a.m. start.

Arrangements for 27 June

Meet at 10 am in the car park behind the Co-op in Bridge of Weir. We will repeat the walk through the Quarrier's Homes to Kilmacolm mainly on cycle tracks.

Corrected by adding a suitable apostrophe.

13 June - Bute

For the record

Robert, Alan, Gus, Kenny T, Kenny R, Jim, Jimmy, Paul, Malcolm, Dougie, Davie C, Rex.

We gathered at Wemyss Bay for the 10 am ferry to Rothesay and then onward by bus to Kilchattan.

We did a clockwise circuit of the southern end of the island, stopping for lunch at St Blane's Chapel. and then returning to Kilchattan. It was dry underfoot and the forecast rain just about held off until we had completed the walk.

FRT was split between the Taverna Lounge Bar in Rothesay and the Station Bar at Wemyss Bay.

Distance 5.5 miles

13 June - Photos from Bute

Arrangements for 20 June

Meet at Loch Doon Castle at 10 am for the Four Lochs walk.

Arrangements Wed 13th June

Meet in Wemyss Bay at 9.30.a.m. in time for the 10.00 a.m. Ferry to Bute . Bring bus passes for the bus to Kilchattan Bay and return.

Annbank to Ayr 6 June

Allan, Davie C, Davie Mc, Dougie, Gus, Ian, Jimmy, Malcolm, Peter, Paul, Robert

The fantastic spell of weather continued as we met at Annbank for our pre-curry walk. Those who thought that they would be heading down towards Auchincruive and then on to Ayr were outmanoeuvred when the majority started moving down Annbank’s main street heading for the longer riverside walk.

The underfoot conditions were very dry making the difficult stretches easily passable, but as might be expected, parts of the path were starting to be overgrown. Nonetheless, excellent progress was made before stopping, as we normally do, at the fishermen’s hut for coffee. This was an idyllic spot today.
Moving on, we crossed the road bridge and continued on the opposite bank heading towards the Wallace and Burns monument. Even the normally muddy sections of this track had dried out. What a difference to what we normally encounter!
The monument was reached about two hours after having set off and a leisurely twenty minutes was spent enjoying our sandwiches. There then followed a discussion about what to do next. Having taken the long route to our lunch spot, some assumed we would just return to the cars on the shorter, Auchincruive side of the river, whereas the majority were in favour of walking in to Ayr.
And so, there was a split, with Allan, Jimmy, Malcolm and Peter returning to the cars as the rest headed for the stepping stones, and Ayr.
The four had covered just over seven miles and the walk had taken three and a quarter hours. Enough, for them, on a very warm day!  Since they were meeting up at night to celebrate Kenny T’s 60^th, they decided to forego FRT, something that doesn’t happen too often. When the seven returned, the Tap o’ the Brae was their choice for a refreshment.

In the evening, the eleven above were joined by Alan, Jim, Johnny and, of course, Kenny T, for a curry at the Jewel in the Crown. A great night was had! Kenny thanked us for his meal and his book voucher and showed his appreciation by buying the first round in Wetherspoon’s.

Enjoy the weather whilst it lasts!

Coffee stop

Some welcome shade

From the bridge at the monument