The lost villages 30 June

Alan McQ, Allan, Billy, Davie C, Davie Mc, Dougie, Gus, Hugh, Jimmy, Johnny, Malcolm, Rex

There's only one Benwhat!

The weather was a wee bit overcast as we readied ourselves for our walk to the lost villages but, with no rain forecast, we set off in good spirits. The walk up through the opencast (Chalmerston) was done at a good pace and there was need to draw breath before heading towards Benwhat (or Benquhat). Turning right at the remains of two old vehicles (a blot on the landscape) we soon made the memorial stone at Benwhat where coffee was taken. Derval Davie took out the memorial photos and visitors’ book, which we all signed, from beneath the bench before carefully returning it to its protective box. By this time, the sun was out and there was a marked change in the temperature, meaning that, by now, shirtsleeves were the order of the day.

Johnny, Malcolm, Davie C and Allan took the lower route along the old railway line whilst the rest went up to the war memorial before re-joining the four further along. Underfoot conditions were as dry as you could get, so progress for the next part of the walk along the grass track to the war memorial to the fallen from Lethanhill and Burnfoothill was steady. As is our custom, lunch was taken here.

It was about half-past twelve or so when we started to make our way down to Dunaskin for the last leg of our journey along the railway track. There were many warning signs threatening fines for walking on the track but, as there were no signs of any of the vintage trains, and, given the rustiness of the tracks no trains had run for ages, we, as is our wont, ignored the warnings and set off for the cars.

It was about this time that Johnny encountered a problem. He had inherited a pair of walking shoes from someone who shall remain anonymous, but let’s call him Robert. The sole of his left shoe had become detached and was flapping about making it difficult to walk. Davie the senior produced a lace which Malcolm took pleasure, too much if you ask those who watched, in bending down and tying up the sole to the rest of the shoe. This made it possible for Johnny to make slow progress along the line.

This is the least attractive part of the walk as, combined with the afternoon heat, the ballast and sleepers made for uncomfortable walking. We really do need to find an alternative. Anyhow by the time Johnny and his minders reached the opencast again, his other shoe had fallen apart as well. Nevertheless, watch out for Johnny’s new range of footwear called ‘flip-flaps’!

The back markers reached the cars at about twenty-five past two with the distance being measured at 9.6 miles. Seven of us made our way to the Dalmellington Inn and its decked outdoor area for FRT and were rewarded with copious amounts of crisps and nuts from the barman.

A good, but tiring, day out.

The first obstacle of the day

The relentless climb up through the opencast

Benwhat memorial

Coffee stop

Benwhat war memorial

The great outdoors

No safety net required

Lethanhill and Burnfoothill war memorial

Approaching Dunaskin

Poor sole!