Burns Supper 25 January

The Morning

Allan, Davie ’Twa Dugs’ Mc, Dougie, Gus, Jimmy, Johnny, Paul, Rex, Robert

We met up at Johnny’s  to deliver the food and drink for the evening’s celebration. Johnny had provided coffee and scones, thanks Johnny, and these were gratefully devoured before seven of the number left for the walk along the beach to Barassie and back. Johnny and Allan stayed behind to set up the room for later.

 

The Evening

The Ooters Tenth Burns Supper.

Allan, Billy, Davie C, Davie Mc, Dougie, Gus, Jimmy, Johnny, Rex, Robert, Ronnie

As always this proved to be a most enjoyable night. The food was excellent, courtesy of Johnny, Gus and Robert, the cheese, biscuits, bread and grapes were a delight, thanks to  Dougie, Davie and Rex,  Jimmy produced the custard, and the whisky was saftened, much to the pleasure of Davie and Jimmy.

Dougie chaired the proceedings with his usual wit, Jimmy addressed the haggis before, later on, reciting Tam O’Shanter in his own inimitable style. Derval Davie delivered a very humanitarian ‘Immortal Memory’, Allan delivered his ‘Toast to the Lasses’ with a plum aplomb, and Gus gave a very humorous ‘Toast to the Ooters’ and skied away with the joke of the evening prize. Davie the Younger recited his legendary ‘Address to the Tinned Haggis’ before leading us in the Ooters song. Johnny managed to get through ‘A Man’s A Man’ with composure, Rex delivered a very personal and emotional reading regarding the Australian National Anthem and Robert joined in with ‘To a Mouse’. Ronnie, who was on Coca-Cola all evening, provided excellent backing to the large number of songs sung with gusto by the company, and didn’t take much persuasion to do a couple of solos. Well done also to Billy for joining us and thanking us for inviting him.

Thanks to all for making this such a memorable night, but special thanks to Johnny and Helen for hosting the event. Johnny had produced song books and personalised placemats and had the table looking fair braw, not to mention the fact that he had done all the cooking and was left with all the clearing up. I’m sure though that at the end of the day he felt it was well worth it as nights like this we should enjoy as long as we can.

P.S. For the record, we held another, virtual, Burns Supper in 2021 thanks to Alan McQ.

 

Arrangements for Wed 1st Feb

 Meet in the Sorn church car park at 9.45.a.m. The proposed walk is the ‘Glenbuck circle ‘weather permitting.  Alternative walk will be agreed if there is a need for a low level alternative.

Glasgow Bridges Walk.

 7 met up in the Counting House and enjoyed  a leisurely catch up before departure around about 10.30. Kenny Ramsay and Ian Doolan unexpectedly joined the group. The day was dry and Baltic, the pace was easy with our Aussie guide supplying us with lots of information on each Bridge . We reversed the route back to the West Brewery for FRT. and a pleasant lunch.

Burns Supper 25thJanuary 2023

 Meet 0930 to drop off drinks and foodstuffs. Have Coffee/tea Scone. 1000 set off from Bank Street for a local walk of your choosing. Allan and I will setup tables and chairs and arrange the room for the evening. We have 11 confirmed attendees. I've asked George but I think his health concerns may prevent him attending.  Ronnie will once again provide the music and I believe Dougie has been flattered into once again being our chair. Well done to all for making it happen(if we are spared). Haggis bought - apples pies in the freezer - let the excitement begin.  Johnny

***THE SUGGESTED WALK IS IRVINE TO TROON AND BACK ALONG THE BEACH***

Evening Programme

1800 – 1830    The Gathering

1830 – 1930    The Meal

1930 – 2030     Immortal Memory

                        Readings and Songs

2030 - 2040           Interval

2040 – 2140    Toast to the Lassies

                        Readings and Songs

2140 – 2150          Interval

2150 – 2240    Toast to the Ooters    

                        Readings and Songs

            2300 - Carriages

 

River Ayr walk, 11th Jan

 Six Ooters turned up for a dreich walk along the river Ayr. Mostly the rain stayed away , apart from a few minutes at the start and a few minutes near the end of the walk . This was not a problem for this hardy bunch. We walked on the high route above Sorn to the walk towards Muirkirk along the boardwalk. Lunch was taken on the boardwalk while the rain stayed away. 3 hours and near 7 miles was enough for most of the party. The Black Bull was empty when we arrived . Needless to say they were very pleased to see us. They were very complimentary about our calendar and supplied us with a platter of sandwiches and crisps to show their appreciation of our occasional visits. We enjoyed a pleasant hour in the warmth of this hostelry before the journey home.

Arrangements for Wed 18th Jan.

 Meet in the Counting House ( Glasgow ) for coffee ready for10.00.a.m. departure. The proposed walk is along the Clyde for about 1-2 hours and return. Lunch in Glasgow with FRT and eventual return by bus to home.

4 January 2023 - Mossblown to Ayr

Robert, Gus, Alan M, Paul, Rex, Dougie, Jimmy.

We met up in the car park beside Morrison's in Ayr and the customary New Year greetings were exchanged. 

The wait at the bus stop gave us time to read a graffito relating to one of Alan's less-fortunate distant cousins and at 10.24 the Stagecoach to Mossblown duly arrived. We were ready to start our walk by approximately 10.45.

We set off along the road to Annbank but soon turned right beyond the school to follow a path which met the one we often take from Annbank Bowling club. However, instead of descending to the river we stayed high and entered Brockle Wood.  The wood lived up to its name and Alan was able to point out an extensive badger sett just below the path.  This high route afforded fine views of the River Ayr in spate.

The path descended towards Auchincruive Walled Garden and after some discussion we decided to sample the delights of the River Cafe.  The kitty was collected and coffee and scones were the order of the day ... apart from Gus who preferred tea with his scone and was presented with a teapot and a delightful pink china cup. £36.10 was the damage. 

Leaving the cafe, Alan led us through more woodland, past tumbledown buildings and a few memorial stones to bring us out on the main service road on the Auchincruive estate.  We crossed the Oswald Bridge road higher up from the River Ayr Way - a stretch which is often boggy - and descended to the long distance path close to Mainholm Nursery.  We were now on our usual Annbank-Ayr route. 

 The stepping stones across the River Ayr weren't an option today.
Despite the forecast the weather had been dry so far but as we made our way towards the University, rain was falling.  Fortunately we found a dry lunch spot - the outdoor tables of the university cafe.  The cafe was open but empty, so there was no objection to our tucking into our pieces at their tables.

It was a shortish walk back to the cars, past the Archimedes screw turbine on the river.  

FRT was taken at the wonderful Market Bar. "A Real Pub for Real People" it said outside, but they still let us in.  We filled one of the booths and a pleasant hour of nonsense was enjoyed.  In contrast to the tea and scones the one round came to £17.

Distance 7.5 miles.

An excellent start to the year.

Some from the Mossblown to Ayr walk

 

Arrangements for Wed 11th January

Meet at the carpark next to Sorn Church in time for a 10am departure. Decision can be made on the day as to whether we have a walk up Blacksidend or a low-level walk along the River Ayr Way.

Late report of the walk on 28 December

 Dean Park to Craufurdland

Dougie, Gus,  Jimmy, Johnny, Malcolm, Robert, (Ian D, Billy)

Allan being unwell Malcolm had only Johnny to pickup.  We arrived in Dean Park at 0930 just ahead of Robert and Jimmy. Dougie and Gus were not far behind.  All that were going to walk had assembled before 0945. Previous week's experience made us wary of leaving before 1000.  At 1000 we set off at a brisk pace towards Craufurdland in cool conditions with a sky threatening rain.  An hour’s walking found us at the Laird’s Table where we pondered our return journey. Would we take the longer round trip or retrace our steps?  The weather settled any discussion for as we finished off our repast the forecast rain arrived and we settled for the shortest route.  Steady rain and mainly downhill had us back at the cars for 1210.  Lunch in First Edition was now the aim. We six were joined by Ian D and Billy for what turned out to be a convivial FRT and lunch. 

Writing this account a week after the event. How good is my memory?  Adjust as you see fit.