Annbank Walk Dec 30th

This is a picture of either The Magnificent 7  (minus one) or  theSexy 6 who walked the Annbank circular walk along the river Ayr today.  I still cannot understand why it takes 2 hours  to walk to Burns monument  and only 35 minutes to walk back to Annbank.*

Report by Davie

Present Alan S, Ian, Gus, Billy, Malcom, Bob and Davie M and Holly

Because both Christmas Day and New Year's Day fall on a Wednesday this year, the normal walks were suspended but a suggestion was accepted that those who could make it could turn up for a  Monday walk instead.
Consequently the above Magnificent Seven turned up on a rather dreich and somewhat dark morning. This was Holly's first outing with the Ooters since the 27th of November due to her bout of nystagmus, but she seemed to cope well, although still not 100% recovered.
We decided to go on a clockwise direction, stopping as usual for coffee where the Coyle enters the Ayr and then for lunch at the Burns / Wallace Cairn where Davie saw a tawny owl, while Alan pointed out some buzzards. An extremely brisk pace was then set between the Cairn and the cars with Bob noting that it took only 35 minutes.  Although rain threatened a couple of times, the whole walk was completed in dry conditions in 3 hours 5 minutes. Our only complaint was that certain parts of the path were very, very muddy and a lot of remedial work needs to be done on it.
FRT was taken, as is our wont, in the Tap O' the Brae award winning Pub of 2019.

* the route to the Cairn followed the bends of the river Ayr so was longer, Bob. Have a look at the map Alan McQ provided at the end of this post

More photos from the Christmas Curry

Arrangements for Wed 8th January

Meet in the Counting House at 10.00.a.m. The walk will take in the bridges over the Clyde. Lunch will probably be accessed in Wetherspoon's perhaps.

Panto and Curry 18 December

Alan, Allan, Billy, Davie C, Dougie, Iain, Ian, Johnny, Malcolm, Rex

The Oran Mor panto was thoroughly enjoyed (Oh, yes it was!) by the ten before journeying back to Kilmarnock for a refreshment in Wetherspoon’s and then joining the six walkers (as detailed below) plus Alan McQ, Jimmy and Peter at the Jewel in the Crown for our Christmas curry. Time was also taken to celebrate Allan’s recent 70^th and he thanked the company for the pressie and card.
We were well attended to by the girls and the food was up to its usual high standard. Thanks again folks!
Wetherspoon’s was the final port of call for a nightcap before it was time to make for home.
An excellent day out!

Burns Night 22 Jan 2020

NEED to know!
How many are coming.
What each attendee's contribution is.

Placemats, songbooks are being prepared, so above info required.

No more arm twisting - need volunteers.
"I've done my bit" - "I'll sit this one out"  DOES NOT CUT IT!

Passive wallflowers - Naw    Jaggy thistles owning the night - Aye

Still need 3 parts of the "formal" evening covered
1 Address haggis
2 Lassies
3 Grace

Everyone contributing to the evening's entertainment
has been our formula for a successful evening.

This is not like any other BS.
 This is the Ooters' BS.
Let us keep it that way.

Let me know ASAP

Loudoun Valley circular - 18 December

Davie M, Hugh, Paul, Kenny T, Robert, Gus

Whilst the majority headed off to Glasgow for their Play, a Pie (or Quiche) and a Pint the remnants gathered at Davie M's where they were treated regally by Davie and Kay to Victoria Sponge, Christmas pies and coffee. We were also greeted by Holly, recuperating from her recent illness.

After gorging ourselves we headed for Newmilns by the riverside (the reverse of that part of the walk from a few weeks ago) accompanied by Holly.  It was icy underfoot but the day was pleasant enough and we made good progress. As pre-arranged we were met in Newmilns by Kay who collected Holly, though it looked as if she could have gone on further. We also bade farewell to Kenny, though he had to walk back.

We crossed to the other side of the valley and this time we eschewed our usual stopping place at the cemetery, and headed up the steep hill past crumbling Dalwhatswood Farm.

Paul had considered heading back to Darvel from  the crossroads close to Foulpapple Cottage but we had made such good progress that he was persuaded to continue as far as Mucks Bridge. Paul and Davie were a bit behind the others and were discussing the time they had met their former colleague Janet as she exited her farm track onto our road ... and lo! and behold! she appeared again just as we approached the track.  We had a 10 minute blether before we parted company.

Davie pointed out ahead of us the private house that had been Sir Alexander Fleming's primary school so Paul chose not to turn around at Mucks Bridge but go on for a photo opportunity. At the old school building we were met by a friendly old collie  who seemed to be enquiring of Davie the whereabouts of Holly.  And Davie informed Paul there was was now no point turning back since Darvel was equidistant whichever route was taken.

At the T-junction where we turned towards Darvel the road was blocked by a "Road Ahead Closed" sign which, of course we ignored. A quick lunch was taken here before we headed off again.  Braidley bridge had suffered quite a bit of damage, hence the road closed sign, but it was fine for walkers.  We ascended another steep hill which Davie admitted to never having been able to cycle up and passed the track to Lochfield farm where Alexander Fleming grew up.

From there it was downhill all the way to Darvel and we were back at Davie's 3 hours 15 minutes after departing, covering 10 miles. We had set a rare old pace and had worked up a fair appetite for the curry to come.

Thank you Kay and Davie for the hospitality!

Festive season walk.

Meet at 10.00 a.m. in Annbank beside the bowling club for a circular walk along the river . Monday 30 th December.

Calendars

I have some extra calendars available should anyone wish them.
Just let me know.

Sorn to Kingencleugh 11 December

Allan, Billy, Davie Mc, Dougie, Gus, Hugh, Iain, Ian, Jimmy, Johnny, Kenny R, Paul, Rex, Robert

The horrendous weather of Tuesday had given way to a dry, fresh morning, but no chances were being taken as wet weather gear and umbrellas were to the fore.
Leaving the car park at Sorn kirk, we walked back up the main road and cut off towards Catrine where Allan and Jimmy met Peter who was out at the carol concert given by some young school kids in the square.
The next stop was for coffee under the Howford bridge where we noted that some of the graffiti that had accumulated over the years had been painted over. Good effort!
On reaching the Ballochmyle Viaduct consideration was given as to which route to take to the Haugh. Jimmy suggested it might be easier to take the lower route out and return by the higher path, and so we set off down towards the river. Before long though, Davie said that the water might be too high to continue, so we moved up to the higher path. Soon thereafter it became obvious that we weren’t heading for the Haugh after all, and were, in fact, making our way up to Kingencleugh. As tradition dictates, lunch was taken, in the sunshine, at the steps down to the railway and a pleasant quarter of an hour was spent.
The path adjacent to the main road which would lead us back down to the Howford bridge provided us with a couple of water obstacles to negotiate, but nothing too serious, and before long we were on the River Ayr Walk heading back to Catrine. Peter came out to join us and we had a good blether, at least until he told who was, and who wasn’t, on his Christmas card list. Oh, yes … there’s only one Peter Kleboe! It was good to see him again though.
Walking up past the Voes and following the path along the river and then up and down to Sorn we were back at the cars after four hours and ten minutes having covered the best part of ten miles.
Underfoot conditions had been much better than we could have hoped for after the rains of the previous day and, in fact, the river, although high, was not as high as expected. Overhead conditions had been excellent until, that is, we were getting changed at the end of the walk, when the heavens opened with rain and hail. If only It had held off for another five minutes!
FRT was taken at the Black Bull in Mauchline where the first to arrive scoffed the nibbles!
This had been a fine day out finished off with a good laugh in the pub!

Arrangements for Panto on 18 December

Those going to the panto should meet at the Royal Concert Hall café in Glasgow at 10am.
We aim to be on the underground to Oran Mor by 10.30 at the latest.
REMEMBER YOUR TICKETS!

Arrangements for 18 December

Those not going to the panto, meet at Derval Davie's at 9.30 for coffee and mince pies.

Calendars

The 2020 calendar will cost £7 - that's the best price I could get.
All being well, I'll bring them along on Wednesday.

Wednesday 4 December 2019 Glenbuck Loch and Hareshaw Hill

Ian, Iain, Malcolm, Billy, Rex, Dougie, Gus, Jimmy, Hugh, Paul and Davie Mc.

11 of us met at the new car park opposite where the famous Glenbuck Cherrypickers used to play. We spent some time looking at the boards and memorials which have been erected where the old village stood. Although the cherrypickers were only in existence for a short  time, of the total of  86 players who played for them, no fewer than 50 of them went on to play senior football both north and south of the border and 7 (not 4) were chosen to play for Scotland. An astonishing fact considering that, at its height,  Glenbuck only had a population a third of the size of Darvel.
Eventually we set off making our way back down the recently tarmac-ed road towards the loch, noticing the spring which gushes out of the hillside at the same rate no matter what the season of the year. We  circled the loch in an anti-clockwise direction, crossing over the wee brig and taking note of the old sluice gate just above it. Glenbuck Loch is a man-made loch and the sluice gate was opened at 6 pm  every evening to allow the surge of water to travel all the way downstream in time to power the big wheel at  Catrine Mill.
Davie pointed out the cottage which straddles the border between Lanarkshire and Ayrshire. The gentleman who lives there actually moved from the centre of London to enjoy the tranquil surroundings of Glenbuck Loch!  By the way he pays his cooncil tax to East Ayrshire!
Passing the cottage we proceeded along the old railway line and rounded the far end of the loch and headed for the log cabin where a coffee stop was called for and a discussion was had as to what to do next considering the weather.
Because the rain hadn't been too bad at this point we decided to climb Hareshaw Hill and make a further decision at the top. Jimmy and Iain found the steep going too much for them and soon decided to descend. The rest kept going and  before long the top was reached where we experienced very gusty conditions. With the weather now deteriorating we decided to head back down the same path to meet the other two, the descent actually being rather pleasant.
We headed back to the log cabin to have lunch inside rather than sit outside. It's gratifying to note that since its erection the cabin hasn't suffered any vandalism.
After lunch we returned to the cars stopping to admire the "artistic sculpture" and read the pseudo-intellectual pretentious codswallop on the board about the so-called "artist".
We arrived back at the cars roughly about 3 hours after setting off;  although the weather was not particularly nice, we all seemingly had enjoyed a good work-out.
FRT was taken in the Empire Bar in Muirkirk with those who had ordered the light beer complaining about how sour it tasted.
The canine member of the Ooters was missing today as she has been quite ill with nystagmus, causing extreme loss of balance and nausea.  She has hardly eaten anything for a week but is improving. She hopes to be back soon.

Arrangements for 11 December

Meet at Sorn car park at 10 am for the walk to the Haugh Farm and back.