Adventures of the Early Ooters: Gogo Burn 1 August

Thursday 2 August 2018

Gogo Burn 1 August

Alan McQ, Allan, Davie C, Davie Mc, Dougie, Gus, Ian, Jim, Jimmy, Kenny R, Kenny T, Malcolm, Peter, Rex

We were ready for the off at 9.50am so we made our way over the railway footbridge and up to Douglas Park before starting our climb. Despite recent rain, underfoot conditions would prove to be good in comparison to what we have experienced before. Overhead it was dry, but grey, and there was rain forecast for later in the day. The walk up to the steps got the heart rate going and there were some who were already shedding layers. At the top of the steps we felt the cool wind, so we didn’t delay and set off gently upwards on the narrow path towards our usual coffee spot at the cairn. We took shelter in the lee of the hill and the layers went back on again as we enjoyed our break.

Moving on, and continuing to follow the track, we eventually came to the base of the wee hill which we normally skirt round. Today however, some went over, and some went around. Questions were asked of Allan’s wellbeing as he chose to go over, not like him at all. On the other side the track faded out, but we followed today’s pathfinder, Jimmy, who took us up to the gap in the drystane dyke at the base of another steep climb. However, the climb was not necessary, as we remembered that it was at this point that we should veer left and skirt this obstacle. Nobody dissented!
We were now on open moorland and the going got harder over heather and longish grass, but, as has been previously commented, thankfully, although damp underfoot, it was not bogging wet. By this time the group were well strung out and taking different routes down the hill, and by the time our turning point (the new bridge over the burn at the wee dam) came into view, those at the front were unaware that Jim was struggling. Dougie, Peter and Kenny T ushered him down to the waiting group and it was decided to have lunch here and let Jim recover.
It was just after midday when the leaders made this bridge, with the back markers taking another ten to fifteen minutes, and it wasn’t until half past that we set off again, with all having recovered. Twenty-five minutes took us to the Greeto Falls where we usually lunch, but, other than Davie Mc who took Holly down to get her cleaned off in the water, we didn’t stop and marched on down the road.
By half-past one we were entering the outskirts of Largs and passed by site of the former Largs Academy, now being demolished. Ian went over to have a closer look and returned with mixed emotions, having spent most of his career in the building. Although none of us have been in the new building, we got good views of it from our vantage points on the hills, and, despite looking very bland and uninspiring from the outside, we are assured it is excellent inside.
The cars were reached at twenty to two, three hours and fifty minutes after having set off. As always happens, the various bits of technology couldn’t agree on the exact distance walked, but we averaged it to be between seven and a half and eight miles.
FRT was taken in a very busy Wetherspoon’s, so busy that it took us a wee while to get seats for everyone, but we eventually succeeded and had a good blether. As we sat, the rain came and we got soaked walking back to the cars. Nonetheless, this was a good day out.