Cumnock to the A-Frame 28 September

Allan, Davie Mc, Dougie, Gus, Hugh, Jimmy, Johnny, Rex, Robert

Meeting at Knockroon on a bright, late September morning, we wasted little time in getting under way on our walk to the A-Frame. Jimmy led us back towards Auchinleck but, just beyond the turnoff to Rigg Road, we took a path to the left which led us down to the familiar track by the Lugar. From here we simply followed the path to Dumfries House where we stopped for coffee at the café. Davie and Isla, however, continued up to the shelter at the arboretum, which was locked, and waited for us there. The gardens were looking good, although the grass in the arboretum was looking a bit unkempt, and there was a thought to go up to the walled garden, but the front markers had already set off towards the Barony A-Frame. The rest of us agreed that we would visit the garden on the way back.

As we approached the A-Frame, Davie suggested that we walk on to Ochiltree instead, before re-tracing our steps, but Johnny preferred the original plan and, with most agreeing to it, we made the benches under the structure for lunch. We got the slightest of rain showers at this point, but it lasted no time at all, and we sat enjoying our pieces in the sunshine.

We returned the way we had come, but deviated up to the walled garden and were impressed by the planting and the variety of vegetables on display. It was about two o’clock when we returned to the cars making it four hours for seven and a half miles. A decent enough walk, in excellent conditions. No FRT today as we were partaking of a curry in the evening to celebrate Malcolm’s 72^nd birthday.

We were joined by Alan, Billy, Ian, Malcolm, and Peter for our meal at the Jewel which, as always, did us proud. Thanks again, folks, and happy birthday on the 1^st, Malcolm. Another good night out!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Arrangements for Wed 5th Oct.

 The forecast is some rain so we have plan A and plan B.

Plan A is to meet at our usual place in Largs ie,the parking area beside the Gogo burn . The proposed walk involves walking to Douglas Park to climb the stairs onto the moor then proceed to do a big circle on the moor and return to Largs via the Gogo burn path.

Plan B if weather really poor either to park at the second car park on the left after leaving Ardrossan to walk along the shore to Portencross and return or to park beside the Gogo burn then to walk to Fairlie and return.   Check the blog on Tuesday evening.

Next week ie 12th Oct ,the proposed walk involves parking just outside Girvan and either taking enough cars to Lendalfoot for the number of walkers or getting a local bus . Arrangements to be finalised.

Oran Mor Panto

Interest has been shown about returning to the panto this year. Therefore those wishing to attend should book their own tickets as follows:

Google Oran Mor Panto

Buy tickets for the 12pm performance on WEDNESDAY 14TH DECEMBER.

After the panto we will return to Kilmarnock for our Christmas curry at the Jewel.

**** Please make sure you book the early performance i.e. 12pm performance. 

Those not attending can do a local walk and we'll meet up at the First Edition before going to the Jewel.

P.S. Could these details be passed on to those of us who are a bit more technologically challenged.

Sorn to the Haugh 21 September

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

It was a great morning for a walk with bright skies, a nice temperature, and no rain forecast. The car park at the cemetery in Sorn was our departure point, as per usual, but we decided to go left and then right over the bridge to join the path which would take us to Catrine past Daldorch and the voes. This is our normal return route but to help Isla avoid the traffic, we thought we would show some compassion. The conditions today showed off the walk in all its glory, but would be even better in a few weeks’ time when the leaves change colour. We stopped at Peter’s to have a chat to him and were joined by a local, Paul, who, having followed us on the blog, asked to join us for today’s walk, and join us he did.

The next stage up to Howford Bridge has been described many a time in the past and, as usual, we stopped under the structure for coffee. It was then on to Ballochmyle Viaduct with some going down to Fishers’ Tryst and the rest marching on to our lunch spot.

Allan and Malcolm turned back here (Allan needed to be home early) whilst the rest went up to the Haugh before making their way back to Sorn and then the Black Bull in Mauchline for FRT.

A lovely, autumn walk!

  

 

Arrangements for Wed 28 Sept.

 Meet at 10.00.a.m. in the Knockroon car park for a walk to Dumfries House for coffee.After coffee we can progress to the A frame and return to Cumnock.

Windy Standard 14 September

 

 Alan, Allan, Davie Mc, Gus, Hugh, Jimmy, Malcolm, Rex, Robert

The forecast was for decent weather, but as we approached New Cumnock and headed up the Afton glen, the tops of the hills were covered in low cloud. Nevertheless, we set off from the parking area beyond the waterworks in good spirit on a decidedly cool morning and headed for the dam. There was a suggestion to take the shortcut up the grassy path to the right towards Wallace’s camp to meet the windfarm road, but this was outvoted in favour of returning by that path. So, on we went up the towards the dam and followed the path before taking a sharp right up to the gate which leads into the windfarm.

 

It had been some years since most of us had been up here and we were taken aback by how much the farm had grown and by the network of roads serving the turbines. The higher we went the cooler and stronger the wind became but the walking was straightforward and after an hour or so we stopped for coffee at the bridge over the Water of Deuch, our usual coffee spot.

Moving on down the road, we discussed whether to take the shortcut up the firebreak at Jedburgh Knees or continue on the road. The former was adopted although those at the front walked past it before being called back by Davie. By this time there was a smirr and the climb up the grassy slope certainly got the heart racing, but we all made it and stopped briefly at the first tower to catch breath and to allow the pessimists to don waterproofs. The optimists were correct as the smirr ceased after a few minutes and it was to be dry and bright for the rest of the day. On the long road walk up to the top Robert found it cold enough to give his gloves their first outing of the season, but despite this, the views were excellent with Ben Lomond clear in the distance. The front markers took the opportunity to go up to the trig point (698m) whilst the rest satisfied themselves simply by getting to the highest tower. It has to be said that many of the towers on the older part of the windfarm were showing distinct signs of rust, a maintenance job for the future.

 

Normally we would take lunch here but as we could not get any real protection from the wind, we moved on down the hill face on the grass path until we (Jimmy, that is) found a sheltered spot where we had our pieces in warm sunshine. Isla was well fed!  It was about twenty to one when we got the show on the road again, climbing the fence and going up and over the hill before descending to a turbine. From there it was simply a task of following the road back up to join the road we had been on earlier in the day and back to the gate mentioned above. (In days gone by, we would have descended the hill right down to the head of the Afton reservoir and then walked down beside it to the dam, but using the road made the walking a bit easier). 

 

As was said earlier, we didn’t go through the gate but went left until we saw the path towards Wallace’s camp and then the steep descent to the car park, a descent that those with dicky knees found challenging.

 

Four hours for about nine and a half miles were today’s numbers and the consensus was that it had been a good, but tiring, walk. On checking, it seems to be 2015 when the Ooters, not a lot of them, last did this walk. How time flies!

FRT was taken inside at the Black Bull in Mauchline where we were well-received and where we relaxed for an hour. Another good day out!