Bute 25 Sept

Alan, Allan, Billy, Davie C, Davie Mc, Gus, Hugh, Iain, Ian, Johnny, Kenny T, Malcolm, Paul, Rex, Robert

The ferry was running so, after a coffee at the nearby cafe, we took the 10am crossing to Rothesay and were glad to see the bus waiting for our trip down to Kilchattan Bay.
It was 11.15 when we set off to do the loop round the bottom of the island which comprises the first leg of the West Island Way. The forecast had been iffy, but it was very warm for the time of the year, and soon layers were shed as we made our way along the path by the shore. Care had to be taken not to trip on the rocks and sections were muddy due to recent rains, but progress was good. Two lady walkers, a local doctor and her cousin from Canada, were also doing the walk and we took time to chat to them before overtaking them. They in turn took the lead as we stopped for coffee in the bay just after the lighthouse. By this time the sun was breaking through and the rest of the day was to be blessed with wonderful autumn sunshine.
From here we headed up and inland following the numerous signposts, past the lochan and making our way up to St Blane’s for lunch. We could have spent a while here but, ever mindful of the bus to catch, we set off again at about 1.15, making our way up the track and then over the field to the climb up the grassy hill. Here, we passed the ladies, who had stopped for a breather, before chasing up the slope ourselves, meaning that  some of us had to stop to recover before continuing down the other side.
Sections of the steep descent were muddy and very slippy but we made it safely down to Kilchattan in plenty of time for the bus at 2.16. In fact, we had reached the bus stop with twenty minutes to spare and enjoyed passing the time by sitting on the benches overlooking the bay.
Today’s numbers were two hours and forty minutes for the five and a half miles, plus two submarines.
FRT was first of all taken at the Taverna Bar in Rothesay, as we had forty-five minutes to kill before the ferry, and then continued at the Station Bar at Wemyss Bay.
The Sage of the Valley’s official description of today’s walk was ‘fabulous’. Or was it ‘superb’? No matter, all agreed we had had a cracking day out in unexpectedly terrific weather.

Arrangements for Wednesday 2 October

Meet chez Derval Davie at 9.30 am for scones and coffee. The walk  will be a valley circular. Although the second half of the walk is a road walk, boots will be required  for the first half going through the wood.

Rothesay ferry

Checked Calmac site. The ferry seems to be running normally.

Greenock Cut 18 September

Alan, Allan, Billy, Davie C, Davie Mc, Gus, Hugh, Iain, Ian, Malcolm, Paul, Rex, Robert

The Killie crew, including Gus’s pal, Billy Whyte, had taken coffee across the road in the café before meeting up with the rest of us at the ticket office at Wemyss Bay in anticipation of the Kilchattan circular walk on Bute. However, we were informed that the 10 o’clock sailing was ‘aff’ due to 'technical issues' and that the next sailing would not be until 11.05 – too late for us. A quick decision was made to adjourn to Cornalees to do the Greenock Cut, but not before we had politely inquired if we could get our £3 back for the parking. Suffice it to say that the answer was not positive. (Had we checked Calmac’s website before we left, it would have made no difference as there had been no notification of that cancellation on it.)

We were ready to start at about 10.15 and went in the anti-clockwise direction on an overcast, but dry, morning. The walk has been described many times before, so suffice it to say that we took coffee at our usual spot half-way down the hill, and, just as someone said that we usually get rain on this walk, some very light rain began to fall, but only for a few minutes, time enough to put the rain jackets on, and then get them back off again.
The next stop was, again, at our customary lunch spot where a pleasant fifteen minutes was spent before moving off in ever brightening conditions. As we approached Cornalees we were passed by groups of girls going in the opposite direction and, as we do, we made conversation, only to find out that they were 6^th year pupils from Kilmarnock Academy setting off, maps in hand, to do an overnighter for their Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award. Back at the car park we met some of their leaders/teachers, but they had been relatively new to the school and didn’t know any of our KA guys.
Today’s numbers were two hours and fifty-five minutes for seven and a half miles.
A brisk walk in decent conditions followed by FRT (with chips) at Drouthy Neebors in Largs, and it was good to have Davie C back with us. It was even better to have a fit again Holly back!

Arrangements for Wed 25th Sept.

The proposed walk is the walk we should have completed on the 18 th Sept. The arrangements are the same - meet at 9.30 a.m. for coffee before departing on the Rothesay ferry at 10.00. ( weather permitting and the ferry running as per usual.) Check the blog on Tuesday night after 6.00.p.m. for any last min alterations.

Prestwick to Troon 11 Sept

Alan, Allan, Davie Mc, Dougie, Gus, Hugh, Iain, Ian, Jim, Johnny, Kenny R, Kenny T, Malcolm, Rex, Robert

A very healthy turn-out of Ooters assembled at the car park in Prestwick for our pre-curry walk to Troon on a very blustery day – at least it had dried up by the time we were ready to walk. One notable absentee, however, was Holly who was ‘no weel’. Get well soon, pal!

We walked past the golf course and the caravan park, before joining the beach at the Pow Burn for the short trip down to the signpost for the Smugglers’ Trail. From here we crossed Royal Troon and made our way up to the benches at Fullarton House for lunch.
From here, Davie, Gus, Hugh and Iain decided to continue further, and headed through the woods and into Troon before making their way back along the beach, but the rest simply turned back, retracing their steps as far as the cycle track and following it back to the caravan park and then to the cars.
Other than a very short shower, the weather had been good and, away from the beach, the wind had not been an issue. Indeed, it was surprising to see so many golfers out enjoying(?) their sport.
The main group had been out for two and three-quarter hours and had covered about six miles. The others had done another couple of miles.
Some, including your scribe, headed for home in readiness for the evening, but others made for Wetherspoon’s (I think).
A day to get the cobwebs blown away!

In the evening Kenny R couldn’t make it, but we were joined by Alan M’Q, Davie C and Jimmy for our curry at the Jewel. It was a double celebration i.e. Gus had turned 65 and Jimmy had celebrated his golden wedding. Many congratulations to both!

As usual, the food was good, and the girls looked after us well. Thanks, folks!
The evening was rounded off by our customary visit to Wetherspoon’s.

 

Panto at Oran Mor

Those going to the panto should buy their tickets asap before the venue is sold out.
Go to the Play Pie Pint site then choose What's On and select panto (or you can go to the Ticketweb site directly).
Once you've signed in, make sure you select the 12.00pm performance on Wednesday 18th December.

Dates for your diary.

Wed 18th Dec outing to Oran Mor and return to Kilmarnock for a Christmas Curry.
Wed 22nd January our annual Burns Supper .

Arrangements for Wed 18th Sept.

Meet in Wemyss Bay around 9.30 a.m. if interested in coffee before a 10.00.a.m. departure to
Bute. The walk will take in the south part of the island after a bus ride to Kilchattan bay.
In the event of a  poor weather forecast the Greenock Cut might be a reasonable substitute. Check the blog on Tuesday night for any changes.

Largs to Fairlie 4 September

Allan, Davie Mc, Dougie, Gus, Hugh, Ian, Jimmy, Johnny, Kenny R, Rex

The weather forecast had been correct as, when we arrived at the Gogo Burn, it was wet and windy. There was no dissent in changing the walk to a low-level one and Largs to Fairlie was selected. However, as we readied ourselves, the weather deteriorated causing us to walk to Wetherspoon’s for a coffee in anticipation of an improvement later in the morning. This was no hardship at all!

It was nearly eleven o’clock when we decided to make a move as the rain had slackened and the sky had brightened and, as we made our way along the path, the rain went off. From then on, we had it mainly dry and bright, but with intermittent squally showers. The route follows the path towards Fairlie and then takes you down on to the beach before finding the path again just as you leave the village. The previous occasion this walk was done (28 March 2018) we, after a stop for coffee at the picnic benches, continued up to the headland and looped back to the benches for lunch, but today we satisfied ourselves by having lunch at the benches and then starting off on the return journey.
By the time we arrived back at the cars at about quarter to two, we were in very welcome, warm sunshine.
The walk must have been between seven and eight miles in length and had been a sensible alternative to the proposed one.
FRT was taken in Drouthy Neebors where, as usual, a convivial hour was spent.
A good day out, all things considered!

Arrangements for 11 September

The Walk: Prestwick to Troon and back
Meet in the car park at the old swimming pool in Prestwick at 10am.

Birthday Curry for Gus
Be at the Jewel in the Crown at 7 for 7.30pm.