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.