Muirkirk Circular 29 July

Alan, Allan, Billy, Dan, Davie C, Davie Mc, Dougie, Ian, Jimmy, Malcolm, Paul, Robert

It was decidedly ‘fresh’ as we set off for our familiar Muirkirk Circular walk (aka the Lunky Hole walk) from Kames. Tibbie’s Brig was soon behind us as we took to the old railway line and then passed Adam’s Stane (the Covenanter memorial). At this point Jimmy, who had indicated that he would not be doing the whole walk as he was still nursing his sair back, called a halt and returned to his car, whereas the rest continued to our usual coffee spot on the walkway beside the River Ayr. By this time, the temperature had risen a bit, meaning that walking conditions became very good, not too warm, not too cold. Underfoot conditions had been OK given the recent rains with only a couple of muddy stretches to negotiate.

On the boardwalk for coffee

As is our norm, we had a wee look into the big hole in the ground, now looking a bit more picturesque, before crossing the A70 and taking to the tarmac and heading for Netherwood. Lunch would normally be taken at the bridge over the Greenock Water, but today we stopped on the road between Netherwood and Burnfoot Farm and sat down with our backs to the wall, which offered us some shelter from the breeze. Davie Mc had said that this was a better option as the bridge was covered in sheep droppings, and, if your scribe’s memory is right, we have stopped at this spot before.

The problem with this resting place was getting back on your feet when it was time to go, but eventually we were on our way again down to Burnfoot Farm and then up to the remains of the old opencast. We took the high path as the lower one was flooded and, after fighting off the midges, arrived at Glasgow Road which took as down to Muirkirk and the now legendary, at least in the annals of the Ooters, Lunky Hole. Suffice it to say that Dan survived his initiation and, whilst we took a breather, half a dozen bikers arrived, drove round the car park, and then moved off.

A decision was taken to take the shortest route back to the cars, so we walked down the road noting that the Empire Bar was open and approached the Corner House with its outdoor covered drinking area. It was closed but we wondered what had happened to the barmaid with whom we had had many spirited conversations. You couldn’t write the script, but, as we passed the caravan park, who should come out to greet us as long-lost friends? Lauren, who had been helping the staff at the park, told us she had taken a one-way ticket to Vietnam and had spent the last two years there before returning to run the Coach House again. She said that if we were back down in Muirkirk we should give her a ring and she would make sure the hostelry would open early for us. Nice touch! Thanks, Lauren.

The cars were reached four hours and twenty minutes after having set off, not our fastest time for this walk, but the pace had been moderate on certain stretches, and the reckoning was about ten miles.

A good day out!

Arrangements for 5 August

Sorn to Ballochmyle Viaduct and back

Meet at the car park adjacent to Sorn Kirk cemetery (the usual place) at 10am.

29 July

Lunky Hole walk confirmed for 29 July.

Arrangements for 29 July

Lunky Hole Walk
Meet at Kames car park at 10am.

In the event of another poor forecast, an alternative walk will be published on the blog by 6pm on the Tuesday evening. Please check the blog for any updates.

Dean Park to Craufurdland 22 July

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

Umbrellas were the order of the day as we set off from the Dean Park car park on a very wet morning. Our destination was Craufurdland and the Laird’s Table, which was reached in just under an hour.

Take-away coffees were purchased and consumed at the tables in the covered outdoor area where a pleasant half hour or so was spent 

The walk back was much easier as the rain abated to a drizzle and the going was downhill, so the cars were reached about half-past twelve.

All in all, despite the rain, the walk turned out to be much better than anticipated.

New arrangements for 22 July

Due to a poor weather forecast the proposed walk at Muirkirk has been postponed.

Meet instead at the Dean Park car park in Kilmarnock at 10am for a walk round the park.

Ness Glen 15 July

Allan, Billy, Davie C, Davie Mc, Dougie, Ian, Malcolm, Paul, Rex, Robert plus special guests Alan and Dan

It was good to see so many guys turn up for the walk on, what was to prove, a rather dreich day. As we headed from the car park at the Junior ground in Dalmellington on to our usual figure of eight walk there was a lot of catching up to do as we walked through the Promised Land. Before too long, Robert found out to his cost that the wooden walkways today would be slippy, but, before we knew it, we were on tarmac and making our way up to Dalcairnie Linn. Only a couple of us went down to have a look, with the rest wishing to press on up to the bench at Barbeth. We stopped briefly here, as Deval Davie decided a coffee break was in order, but given the conditions most just took a breather before moving on. As hinted earlier there was a faint drizzle for most of the time with the odd dry spell giving false hope. Having passed Craigengillan, we stopped at the start of the Ness Glen as Paul, who was nursing a sair knee, and Davie C, decided to give this part of the walk a miss and continue over the bridge and head back to the cars. 

Twenty-five minutes later, having negotiated the glen walk successfully, we were overlooking Loch Doon and, as it had dried up, it was decided to go down to the rocks on the shoreline for lunch. No sooner had we set off than the rain stared again, so we took shelter in the arches of the dam. However, we didn’t wait too long as the midges were out in force here. See what we’ve missed for all these weeks! Taking the high road back to the footbridge we then followed the path and tarmac road back to the cars taking just under four hours for the whole walk, and, as usual, just as we needed it to be dry to get changed int to fresh clothes, the drizzle returned.

For most of us this had been the furthest and hilliest walk we had done in a long time and it felt like it. Nonetheless, it was good to have the band back on the road again. The only thing missing was FRT and the accompanying banter. We live in hope!
P.S. Well done to Davie for doing his first walk back with the Ooters without Holly. He misses her big time, as we all do.

Muirkirk July 22 nd

Arrangements- meet at 10.00.a.m. in the the car park beside the old Kaimes outdoor centre. The walk is a  circular walk away from Muirkirk and eventually round in a big circle back to the town from a different direction. Remember to introduce Billy to the Lunky Hole.

Prestwick to Troon 8 July

Allan, Billy, Davie C, Ian, Jimmy, Malcolm, Paul, Robert

Having assembled in the wide, open spaces of the car park at Prestwick on a fine morning for walking, we set off in socially distanced groups of 3, 2 and 3 for the beach walk to Troon. The tide was well out so there was plenty of firm sand to walk on although we took to the tarmac path for the last stretch to the ice-cream kiosk adjacent to the toilets. Here a cuppa was taken, and some had a cone. Next, we walked up towards the golf course and joined the cycle track back towards Prestwick. We had thoughts to deviate up to Fullarton House for lunch, but the consensus was to continue and to have it on the beach. A leisurely lunch was taken and, as we looked out towards Arran, we asked ourselves when we would be able to go there again. The final stretch back to the cars took another fifteen minutes or so.

The guys wish Gus all the best and hope he is back to normal soon.

Arrangements for Wed 15 th.

The Ness Glen walk.  Meet in the car park beside the  Dalmellington football pitch. Meet at 10.00. a.m.

Irvine to Barassie 1 July

Allan, Billy, Davie C, Hugh, Kenny R, Jimmy, Paul, Robert (plus a guest appearance by Malcolm)

The 1st of July saw the Ooters make their first tentative steps to ‘normality’ since mid-March. Seven of us assembled (maintaining social distancing) at the car park at Irvine shore for the walk to Barassie on an ideal morning for a walk, pleasantly warm with no wind.
An hour later we had reached our turning point and took our pieces at the benches enjoying the warmth of the hazy sun. At this point Malcolm arrived to say hello. He had been unaware that we were walking, having not checked the blog, and only knew where we were when he had telephoned to check why there was no Zoom meeting. Just as he was about to drive back home, Paul arrived on foot. A flat car battery had prevented him joining us earlier, but he accompanied us back to Irvine.
We got back to the cars about quarter to one and made our way home. By this time the car parks had become much busier but there was still plenty of space to maintain our distance.
It was generally agreed that meeting up again was so much better than the on-line gatherings and that we would do so again if a suitable walk i.e. one where we could maintain our social distancing, could be achieved. Prestwick to Troon was agreed for next week.

Prestwick to Troon.

Arrangements for Wednesday 8th July.
Meet in the car park beside the old Prestwick swimming pool at 10.00.a.m. The proposed walk will be from Prestwick to Troon and back.