Arrangements for Wed 4th January

Mossblown to Ayr 

Meet in the car park behind Morrisons supermarket in Castlehill Road, Ayr at 10am where there is ample free parking for an unlimited time. Take care not to park in the supermarket car park as parking is limited to a couple of hours and there will be a fine after a couple of hours. Directions to the free car park will be posted on the WhatsApp group. Option of a coffee in Morrisons Café for those who turn up early. 

We will take the service 43 bus to Mossblown (remember to bring your bus passes). Bus leaves the bus stop at Killoch Place (on the western side of Burns Statue Square outside the Twa Dugs pub) at 10:24 and arrives in Mossblown at 10:44. We will then walk (mostly downhill) a distance of 8 miles back to Ayr via Auchincruive and the River Ayr Way. Option of a coffee in the Bothy Café in the Auchincruive Estate.

Annbank Circular 21 December

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

It was an overcast morning with a bit of a drizzle as we met at the bowling club in Annbank for our familiar circuit. Eleven were in attendance (at the time) and, as some had ants in their pants and were anxious to get started, the group set off a couple of minutes before ten going in the anti-clockwise direction. Progress was rapid and our coffee spot, the Wallace and Burns monument, was reached in forty-five minutes. The drizzle had come and gone a couple of times but, in truth, conditions were better than expected and we were more in danger from getting wet from the inside out rather than the other way round.

On setting off on the longer return leg, most took to the higher track from the gate opposite the monument whilst Davie Darling and Robert took the lower riverside path. The two paths joined up after about twenty minutes walking, and having got there first, the larger group thought, briefly, very briefly, about waiting for the other two. They walked on but within a couple of minutes Isla came tearing past us indicating the twosome were close behind.

A few minutes later a figure was spotted walking towards us. It was Jimmy. He had arrived bang on ten o’clock (this needs to be verified though), had assumed we had walked in the other direction, and would easily catch us up. No matter, he must have been going a fair rate of knots to meet us where he did. After exchanging a few pleasantries and discussing the difference between a meet-at time and a set-off time, the dozen of us continued back to Annbank. The usual muddy sections were muddy, but we’ve encountered them far worse, and overhead was mainly dry, making progress good. Lunch was taken in two of the fishermen’s shelters, we couldn’t all fit into one, before making our way to Privick Mill and up the brae, the killer brae, and back in to Annbank for the walk to the cars. No matter how we do this walk it ends with a hill and, indeed, the return leg had provided us with a few wee steep climbs, much steeper than they used to be!

Three hours and five minutes for seven and a bit miles were today’s numbers. FRT was taken in the Tap o’ the Brae where the discussions were lively. Given the date i.e. the shortest day, Gus introduced us to the day’s new word by confessing that he was feeling ‘solstical’. No, this isn’t Robert’s nickname, and Robert wasn’t smiling. Some suggested he could get tablets to clear it up.

Wishing each other ‘A Merry Christmas’, we eventually took our leave.

A grand day out!

 

Arrangements for Wed 28th Dec.

 Meet in the Dean Castle car park before 10.00.a.m. to be ready to depart at 10.00.a.m. The provisional walk is towards Craufordland Castle and return.( alternate routes are optional if there is a desire to extend the walk)   There is also a suggestion that a lunch out could be an option if a suitable venue can be identified. Failing that our usual F.R.T. can be accessed in any suitable hostelry.

Panto, Walk and Curry 14 December

The Panto

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

On a bitterly cold morning we made our way to the Counting House for a coffee before heading to Oran Mor. The fortunate amongst us had some heating on the bus but Dougie and Rex had both experienced a very Baltic journey up, and to compound things, Glasgow was absolutely freezing, and the Counting House was obviously counting the pennies when it came to heating the place.

Anyway, by half past ten we made our way to the underground, which was pleasantly warm, mastered the new technology which put our tickets directly on to our bus passes, and headed for the west end.

Oran Mor itself was chilly, but after our pie and pint, and with the auditorium filling up, it began to get warmer. It was difficult to believe that it had been three years since we had been there, it felt just like yesterday. How the time has flown!

The pantomime, Rab Hood & The Sheriff of Shettleston, was excellent, with Ayrshire’s George Drennan brilliant as the dame. One of the best, if not the best, panto we’ve been to. The journey to Glasgow in the cold had been well worth it.

The Walk

Davie M, Hugh, Paul, Robert, Jimmy

We gathered at Davie's for some Christmas cheer in the form of mince pies and coffee.  Many thanks to both Davie and Kay for their hospitality.  Davie assures us he was up at 6.30 to bake the pies.

It was with more than a little reluctance that we finally ventured out of the warmth of Davie's hoose into the Baltic air. -8C had been registered on car thermometers.  David was able to offer a two and half hour walk or a three and a half hour one (he doesn't do miles).  It will come as no surprise, given the chill that we opted for the shorter one.

We scrunched across Morton Park and were soon wending our way through the Lanfine Estate, halting to observe seven contented boars and musing on the egg-laying habits of peacocks.  

It has to be said: Davie's choice of walk was inspired.  It was relentlessly uphill.  Perfect for getting the blood pumping. We made short work of the 200 m ascent and came out on the back road to Galston at Kieland(s).  Davie pointed out the alternative spellings on the signs at the farm.

We turned left onto the tarmac to discover that this walk had some downhill sections too. In no time at all we were at a junction with a track to Richardton Farm and a sign "Darvel via Richardton and Ranoldcoup Bridge 1 mile."  This tempted at least one of our number but we kept to the tarmac, coming out at Bransfield Bridge where we left the road to follow a pleasant woodland track alongside the Gower Water.  At the end of this track we were back on tarmac and took our coffee break on the new metal bridge - even Google Earth still show the old stone arched bridge.  Whilst resting here a chap walking down from Priestland stopped for a blether.  He turned out to be a keen walker, still up for the bigger hills, and he stunned us by saying he was 82 years old. There's hope for us yet!

Once the flasks had been packed away it was a short walk back to Davie's.  Two and a half hours as promised.  10 kms.  We didn't linger since we had our various hairdresser and nail salon appointments to get to.

(Paul)

The Curry

We left Ian in Glasgow and returned to Kilmarnock, in a warm bus, for a refreshment in the First Edition before making our way across to the Jewel for our Christmas curry. Thirteen were in attendance, seven of the above plus Davie Mc, Hugh, Jimmy, Paul, and Robert, who had done a Darvel walk earlier in the day. We were also pleased to see Iain join us after a long absence.

The restaurant took a while to warm up, but the food was good and, as always, we were well served by Catriona and her assistant. Word must have got round Kilmarnock that there was free entertainment on offer at the Jewel as it became busier and busier. In fact, the busiest we’ve seen it. At the end of our meal Darling Davie made a wee speech to thank Catriona and presented her with a copy of the Ooters calendar. A collector’s item, I may add! The chorus of the Ooters song followed, which seemed to please everyone there. Not only did the other customers not mind, but methinks they actually enjoyed the atmosphere.

We took our leave about ten to seven with some heading back to the First Edition and others making their way home.

Another thoroughly enjoyable pre-cursor to Christmas!

Irvine Valley walk

 

Arrangements for Wed 21st Dec.

 Meet in the Annbank Bowling Club car park at 10.00 a.m. The walk will be along the river Ayr to Auchincruive and return. Christmas pint in the Tap o’the Brae pub in Annbank. 

Cumbrae 7 December

 

Alan, Allan, Davie Mc, Dougie, Gus, Hugh, Jimmy, Johnny, Malcolm, Paul, Rex, Robert

It was a cold, frosty, overcast morning in Largs, but with the prospect of some sunshine later, and no rain, we boarded the 10.15 ferry to Cumbrae. There had been a thought to go up to the Glaid Stone, but that would get us to the Garrison too early for lunch, so we took the coast road going anti-clockwise towards Millport. A couple of ladies had got off the same ferry and were ahead of us walking in the same direction and it took us a good wee while to overtake them, but as we stopped for coffee at the benches at Fintry Bay, they passed by us, no doubt saying that these ‘gentlemen’ have no stamina, and were not to be seen again.

The temperature was rising slightly and, with the odd bursts of sunshine, hats and gloves began to be removed, and by half-past twelve we were all at the Garrison, either to take our own pieces or to buy a lunch.

The target was to get the 2.30 ferry back, but since we had plenty of time and we were not going up to the Glaid Stone today, just returning via Ferry Road, we visited the Cathedral. Most had a cursory look outside and moved on, but Alan, Davie, Jimmy and Paul went inside for closer inspection and fell behind the larger group who just made the 2.00pm ferry and then made for the Drouthy Neebors where the others, having caught the 2.30 ferry, joined them later for well-deserved FRT.

The best estimate was that we had covered nine and a half miles at a very decent pace. Some things don’t change!

 

 

Some images from Cumbrae