Cumbrae 30 March

Alan, Allan, Davie C, Davie Mc, Dougie, Gus, Hugh, Kenny R, Malcolm, Paul, Robert

It was a bright, but bitterly cold, morning as we headed for Cumbrae on the 9.45am ferry. There were even some light flurries of snow/hail which only lasted a few seconds, but the forecast was good. We had decided that we would do the walk in an anti-clockwise direction and, on leaving the ferry, we noted that the road on the left was closed for resurfacing meaning that all traffic, including the bus, went right. Obviously, the road was therefore more busy than usual, but we marched on undeterred with the first half hour or so into a biting wind but, once we were round the other side, the conditions were very pleasant and good for walking.

At this point there were ten of us but, all of a sudden, we were eleven. Kenny had missed the 9.45 ferry and had taken the next one. He had then got on the bus, which fortunately today was going round the west side of the island, and was allowed off as it approached us. Coffee was taken at Fintry Bay before resuming our walk into Millport. The views across to Arran, Bute and beyond were excellent and by the time we were on the approaches to Millport the temperature had risen allowing hats and gloves to be temporarily removed.

Derval Davie wanted to have his lunch at the Glaid Stone, so he marched on as the rest of us headed into the Garrison at about midday. Half bought lunch here whilst the other half ate their pieces. The piece boys were finished first and were keen to get a move on, so they left first heading for Ferry Road with the lunchers following ten minutes later. The latter group could see the 1.30pm ferry approaching but, other than Kenny, decided to settle for the next ferry at 2pm. Kenny burst into a sprint jog and managed to join the rest of the guys, who had applied the motto, and got on the boat. This left Alan, Allan, Dougie and Robert to wait for the next crossing, and as they waited, they spied a familiar figure approaching. It was Davie Mc, frozen to the core after being up the hill.

Eventually we all teamed up at Wetherspoon’s for FRT where the prices were much more to the liking of the kitty and where Dougie gave a masterclass on curtilages. We await his fee! A grand day out!

Arrangements for Wednesday 6th April

Meet at the Counting House in Glasgow at 10am. The plan is to do the canal walk and have lunch at Wetherspoon's in Sauchiehall Street.

Monday Walk 4th April

 Meet at the car park at Irvine shore at 10am for an hour's walk along the beach before coming back again.

Brown Carrick Hill 23 March

 

Alan, Allan, Davie C, Dougie, Iain, Malcolm, Rex, Robert

The car park at Greenan was busy with walkers and dog-walkers on a beautiful spring morning as we assembled for our walk to Brown Carrick Hill. With the tide being well out, progress was good along the beach, under Greenan Castle and on to Craig Tara, formerly Butlin’s, Holiday Park. By the time we got there, layers had to be disposed of as the temperature had risen and it was more like a warm summer’s day. Anyway, the first climb of the day was up the road through the holiday park, a climb that got the heartrate going and the sweat pouring. From the park it was a walk on the pavement down past the farm park (not open yet) and on along the verge beside the not-very-busy road until the turn-aff, not to Ga’ston, but to the Carrick Hills!

 

It had taken us an hour so far and we were in reasonably good fettle as we continued up the road to our traditional coffee spot. Some suggested that we just stay there for a couple of hours and enjoy the weather rather than climb the road to the imposing-looking masts above us. Sense, or the lack of it, prevailed, and off we went on the steep road in front of us. The hill had definitely got steeper since the last time we did this walk and, given the temperature, and after some view stops, it was a group of weary and sweaty Ooters who reached the masts just before midday. Our lunch spot on a knoll was a wee bit exposed to a fresh breeze but it cooled us down after our exertions.

 

The fitter amongst us suggested that, after lunch, we go on to the trig-point at the top of the hill, but the majority gave short shrift to that idea in favour of retracing our steps from there. As to be expected, the walk down the hill was so much easier, and down through the holiday camp was a doddle. The only slight obstacle was the tide, which had come in and meant that on one wee part of the walk we went up and over an outcrop rather than walk round it. We were back at the cars after three and three-quarter hours having covered eight and a half miles, and it felt like it.

 

FRT was taken in the beer garden patio at the Abbotsford where the merits of the Bayeux Tapestry and medieval history were promoted by Davie. The mind boggles! See us, see culture! Anyway, after the first pint half the company ordered coffees whilst the others had another drink. Those drinks had been demolished before the coffees arrived, something about the hotel being under-staffed, meaning that, for some, it became a three-pint day. A grand way to end a good, if tiring, day out in the sun.

The kitty is down to the bare bones and, with ever-increasing prices, the merits of raising the weekly contribution to £10 were discussed. It would be easier to deal with than the £7, and any extras left after two drinks would go to the next curry night. Watch this space!

Monday walk 28th March

 Meet at Dean Park car park at 10am for a walk up to Laird's Table and perhaps a coffee.

Arrangements for Wed 30th March.

 Meet in Largs around 9.30.a.m. The plan is to catch the 9.45.a.m. ferry to Millport.  We can turn to the right as we leave the ferry and do the anti-clockwise route round to Millport. Some people may wish to lunch in the Garrison.

Our treasurer has hinted at a rise in kitty contributions in the near future.

Arrangements for Wed 23rd March.

 Meet in the car park near the shore front at Doonfoot near Greenan Castle. Time 10.00.a.m. The walk is along the shore to Butlins and eventually up to the top of Brown Carrick.

Monday walk 21st March

 Meet at the cycle path on Western Road, Kilmarnock at 10am.

Greenock Cut 16 March

Alan, Allan, Davie Mc, Dougie, Gus, Hugh, Kenny R, Malcolm, Rex, Robert

Having met at Portencross, and having welcomed Alan, Dougie and Hugh back into the fold after having Covid, it was agreed that the weather was good enough to travel to Cornalees for the Greenock Cut, and so we set off up the main road, with the Brisbane Glen road being avoided, given recent history. For the first time in a few years all cars made it to the car park from where we set off at twenty-five past ten in a clockwise direction. As could be expected, there were numerous puddles on the path but nothing to trouble us and the many other walkers who were out getting exercise today. Isla was was on the lead because of the free range sheep.

 Our coffee stop was our usual lunch stop when we do the walk in the other direction, but soon we were off again taking in the views from the different direction to normal. At the end of the cut, we turned right and started up the hill for the only taxing part of today’s walk. Two-thirds of the way up we stopped for lunch at our usual coffee spot, and it was good to sit and survey the view.

 Before long it was time to move again over the brow of the hill and back down to Cornalees along the recently resurfaced road. Two hours and fifty-five minutes for seven and a half miles were the numbers for today and, for the second week running, we gave FRT a miss.