Ayr 30 January

For the record:
Following the cancellation of the Wardlaw walk, Allan, Dougie, Ian, Paul and Robert joined Rex for a walk from his house. Leaving just after eleven o’clock, we walked to the cycle path and then followed it down to Greenan Shore. Passing underneath the castle we stayed on the beach until we got to the Millennium Bridge, from where we made our way back up to the cars at Rex’s. Five miles or so in about an hour and fifty minutes on a sparkling winter's day.
Thanks to Rex for his hospitality.

Arrangements for Wed 6th Feb.

Arrangements as per the walk that fell victim to the snow on Wed 30th Jan. In the event of very poor weather forecast meet at Cumnock swimming pool at 10.00.a.m.

Moments from the 2019 Early Ooters Burns Supper

Images from Ardrossan to Hunrerston Walk

Ardrossan to Hunterston & Burns Supper 23 January

Alan, (Allan), Davie C, Davie Mc, Dougie, Gus, Ian, Jimmy, (Johnny), Kenny T, Paul, Rex

The walk

We met on a sparkling January morning at Johnny’s for coffee and scones. Well done, again, Johnny! There was much anticipation about the evening’s Burns Supper, but work had to be done first. Johnny and Allan stayed behind to start preparations whilst the rest headed for the car park between Ardrossan and Seamill for their walk to Hunterston and back. Only on the return journey did the weather become overcast and raw, but the day had afforded some great views of Arran. Nine miles in a tad over three and a half hours was the call.

The Burns Supper

George, Robert and Ronnie joined the twelve above for the Ooters Annual Burns Supper, which did not disappoint. Everyone contributed to a wonderful evening of entertainment. Derval Davie’s Immortal Memory was most informative, Paul’s Address to the Haggis was delivered with aplomb and Davie the Younger’s Toast to the Ooters was laugh a minute. Gus crafted a funny and clever piece in the style of Burns and Jimmy brought the house down with his outstanding poem in honour of the Ooters’ desire to walk in all weathers. Musical accompaniment was provided by the talented Ian and Ronnie, whilst all the other guys excelled themselves with their readings and songs. And all were kept in order by Chairman Dougie, who made sure that the evening flowed.
As always there are people to thank.
Alan, Allan, Gus, Kenny, Rex and Robert provided the evening’s meal whilst Johnny donned his chef’s hat to do all the cooking, and all present, plus the no’ so weel Jim, made sure that there was a plentiful supply of drinks on the table.
Most of all, thanks go to Johnny and Helen for their hospitality in hosting the event. The work Johnny puts in organising the running order, making songbooks and personalised placemats, setting up the table with Helen, and then clearing up afterwards, cannot be understated.
Roll on next year!

Another picture of Arran from yesterday

Jimmy's birthday curry.

Date 20th Feb. Venue - The Jewel in the Crown ,Kilmarnock.  Time 7.00.p.m. I will book 15 places - anyone who can not make it let me know asap.

Arrangements for Wed 30th Jan

Meet in the Kaimes car park Muirkirk at 10.00.a.m. The proposed walk is over Wardlaw.

some images from Portencross walk today

Ballageich Hill 16 January

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

As we met in Eaglesham an executive decision was made to take some cars up to Ballageich Hill and therefore cut out the two-mile walk along the road. The weather was bright and cold but, with wintry showers promised, we didn’t hang about and were on the top of the hill at 10.15. The view was grand, but we pushed on and followed our leader, who shall remain nameless, on an unfamiliar, some would say wrong, path. After encountering some boggy stuff and loads of dougals, we emerged halfway down Lochcraig Reservoir, only to find that the track we had headed for was a muck heap. Never mind, we made it up to the head of the reservoir where we took stock.

The long and muddy road

In the past we had stayed high for a longer time and had come out between the reservoir and Bennan Loch. The road we had now come on to would have taken us back up to Bennan Loch if we had turned left, and some wanted to take this route, but the majority held sway and we turned right to head down to South Moorhouse Farm. Here we turned right and followed the track, which again was very muddy for the first couple of hundred yards, until we reached East Moorhouse Farm and its Clydesdale horses. Continuing on, we emerged on Kirkton Moor Road, where we stopped at our usual spot beside the road. We took lunch as this was going to be our only stop, even though it was only about twenty past eleven.
Ian was congratulated on having some nice chicken soup and had brought a handsome mug for the use of. Having partaken of most of it he put the mug down to have a blether. The next time he looked, Holly had her nose in the mug and had scoffed the lot. She emerged, licking her lips, to the laughs of all around.
The sky was threatening so we didn’t linger and made our way past Bonnyton Golf Club and back to the rest of the cars, which were reached just after noon. Probably one of the shorter walks we will do but we had got it remarkably dry.
FRT was taken at the Kings Arms in Fenwick where, in the warmth, we watched the heavy wintry showers outside. We had got the best of the day and had done about five miles in just over two hours. One or two would have liked a longer walk, but not many.

Two stallions and a wee Clydesdale

Arrangements for 23 January

Meet at Johnny's at 9.30am for coffee and scones, and to drop off items of food and drink for the evening.
The walk will be decided on the day taking in to account the weather. Aim to depart Johnny's at 10am.

Those attending the Burns Supper should be at Johnny's from 6pm for a prompt start to the meal at 6.30pm.

Prestwick to Troon 9 January

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

We were greeted with a sparkling January morning, perfect for our walk along the beach. In the past we have stopped for coffee at the Pow Burn, but today we continued on for another twenty minutes or so until we found a reasonably comfortable place to sit. At this point Dougie, Jim and Kenny turned back as they had engagements elsewhere to attend to.

Overhead there were blue skies, a winter sun, and little breeze, and underfoot we found firm sand for the next leg up to where we left the beach at the toilets in Troon. By this time layers had been removed as it was becoming pleasantly warm. Rather than have lunch there, as it was still a bit early, we went on up to the approaches to the Ballast Bank and found a seat big enough to accommodate us all.
It had taken an hour and fifty minutes to get there but we shaved thirty minutes on the return journey, although Ian and Holly did it in even quicker time.
Nine miles in about three and a half hours, including stops, made for a good brisk walk.
FRT was taken in Wetherspoon’s in Prestwick where we cut back by ordering just one bowl of chips. But we did share a pizza!

Costa Clyde

Washed up on the beach

Hard to believe it is early January!

Arrangements for 16 January

Ballageich Hill
After much deliberation, it was decided to try this walk again.
Meet at the top of the hill at the Green in Eaglesham  (Polnoon Street) at 10am. We can decide then how we do the walk. Several options were mooted today including doing it backwards and parking some cars at the layby at the hill.

Annbank to Ayr 3 January

Alan, Allan, Davie C, Davie Mc, Ian, Jim, Jimmy, Johnny, Kenny T, Malcolm, Peter

The weather was dry, overcast and a bit raw, as we set off towards Auchincruive, having wished each other ‘A Happy New Year’. There were some muddy bits on the path, but progress was good, and we reached the road after thirty-five minutes. Rather than do what we usually do i.e. go up to the Wallace and Burns monument for coffee, we decided to press on, as we had a bus to catch at twelve forty-five.

At about eleven o’clock, as we made our way past the cottages towards the river, Jim and Kenny turned back, as they had said they would do, as they were needed at home. Jim had been in a buoyant mood as his team had recently won a game against a team that didn’t turn up. It’s maybe just as well that Robert was an absentee today. That’s two lots of £7 that you owe the kitty, Robert! As you won’t have enough fingers to count, (mind you, don’t you come from Crosshouse or thereabouts?), that makes £14.
Decision time arrived when we had to decide whether to chance the stepping stones, the result being that half took the chance whilst the other half accompanied our chancellor along the road. On seeing the stones being lapped over with water, the road crew assumed that the chancers would have turned back and, for once, sense had prevailed, as they arrived at our lunch spot adjacent to the stones a couple of minutes later.

Piece and quiet!

The walk down into Ayr was straightforward, the highlight for Jimmy being that he saw two kingfishers and an otter as we passed Craigie. The last time so many Kingfishers were seen was in the Jewel in the Crown!
The bus stop was reached just after half-past twelve, probably the quickest we have done this walk, and we waited patiently for the bus. The electronic sign gave us the time it was due, then the number of minutes to wait, then the fact it was due, and then, to our despair, all information about it disappeared.
As we thought the worst and started thinking about a Plan B, the 43A eventually arrived about eight minutes late, a fact not lost on the driver as he tried to make up the time ‘racing’ to Annbank.
FRT was taken in the Tap o’ the Brae where, other than the fact that they had run out of fresh orange and couldn’t make coffees, a pleasant hour was spent. Davie the Purse was resplendent in his pullover with its own built-in deodorant. A nice Christmas present Davie, but we don’t think it will catch on.

 

Arrangements for Wednesday 9 January

Prestwick to Troon and back
Meet at the old outdoor swimming pool car park in Prestwick at 10am. How far we walk into Troon will be determined by the weather.