Irvine to Barassie 26 September

Alan, Allan, Davie C, Davie Mc, Dougie, Jim, Johnny, Kenny T, Malcolm, Paul, Rex, Robert

The boys who were going to Ben Lomond were discouraged by the weather forecast so joined the rest of the group at Irvine shore for a walk to Barassie. There was a stiff wind against us on the way out and the rain, albeit not chucking it down, was relentless, so when we reached the pumping station just before the first houses, we decided not to continue any further and to return back along the beach. Furthermore, since we were wet and there was little shelter, we did not have coffee, preferring to get back to the cars and have coffee/lunch in relative comfort. Paul decided to return straight home at this point as, of course, he lives in Barassie.

It had taken just over an hour on the outward journey and, with the elements on our back, we made good progress heading back to Irvine, and were heartened, when about hallway along, the rain abated, allowing us to stop at ‘the dragon’ for lunch. The cars were reached by half past twelve, with Malcolm declaring that we had done just over six miles. Malcolm, Jim and Kenny left to return home whist the rest of us adjourned to Wetherspoon’s for FRT.
For once in this venue, we got a table to accommodate us all very easily, as it wasn't too busy, and, such was the conviviality, we made it a tpd. We decided to try their pizzas but, having been told that the pizza menu didn't start until the end of the week, we had to satisfy ourselves with their 'poor value for money' chips. Your scribe has been asked to mention the topics of conversation today but, in the interests of decency, can only describe the banter as ‘hairy’ and ‘not your average’.
The FRT was good fun, and although we got wet, we’ve been in much worse weather and were pretty dry by the time we had finished the walk meaning that, all in all, this had been a good day out.

Johnny entertains us with his harmonica skills