Muirkirk 22 February

Allan, Davie C, Davie Mc, Dougie, Graham, Gus, Hugh, Jimmy, Malcolm

 

The weather was brightening up nicely as we assembled at Kames for our trip up Cairn Table. However, Derval Davie had not fully recovered from his chest infection and indicated that he would not be going up the hill, but would accompany us as far as the Sanquhar Bridge. We all agreed to decide there as to the rest of the day. Having reached the bridge, Davie and Jimmy convinced us that to head over the open ground to the hill would be extremely wet and boggy so we agreed, some more reluctantly than others, to abandon any thoughts of doing the hill in favour of continuing up the path and heading for the Bible Stane.

The walk up the gradient to Bert Bradford’s seat was done at a sensible speed in ever-improving overhead conditions with blue skies breaking through and some warmth being felt. Davie had done this walk a number of weeks earlier and had lost Isla’s lead but, to his delight, there it was hanging over the seat. A wee bit further up the track we cut off down to the Bible Stane noticing as we did that the marker cairn at the side of the track had been knocked down with the stones scattered around. Some folk! Our walk off the track down to the Stane was very wet, backing up what the guys had said earlier, but we were able to find a relatively dry spot for coffee as Jimmy uncovered the bible, unfortunately in a sad state of repair (the bible that is, not Jimmy, mind you…) for all to see.

By this time the weather was spring-like with blue skies and a nice temperature making our walk back down the track a pleasure, What a great day to climb a hill! If only we could have got to it.

Anyway, as we approached Kames we deviated down to Tibbie’s Brig for lunch and sat there being thankful that the dreichness of recent weeks had given way to such a fine afternoon. Rather than head straight back to the cars, Davie suggested adding a wee extra loop to the walk which would bring us back to Tibbie’s Brig and would only take ten minutes. Where have we heard this before? But he was right, and we were soon heading up the slope from the brig and making our way back to the cars. Malcolm’s gizmo said just under eight miles in about three hours and twenty minutes.

FRT was taken at the Black Bull in Mauchline where we were well-received and as we were wondering how many packets of crisps to order, we were presented with a plateful of sausage rolls. Ya beauty! We’ll be back.

A grand day out and Cairn Table will be there for another day.

 

 

Arrangements for 1 March

Prestwick to Troon and back

Meet at the usual car park next to Kidz Play for a 10am start.

Some images from the Muirkirk walk

 

Ness Glen 15 February

 

Allan, Dougie, Graham, Gus, Hugh, Johnny, Malcolm, Paul, Rex, Robert

The forecast was rain until about midday, so we were well wrapped up in wet weather gear as we set off at ten. There was only a slight drizzle though, and soon it went off leaving us with a dry and bright day for the familiar Ness Glen figure of eight. Progress was good and, before we knew it, we were at Dalcairnie Linn. Most stayed on the track whilst Paul and Rex took Graham down to have a look at the falls. Next stop was for coffee at our usual place just short of Barbeth where we had a great view over the loch and beyond. We could have sat there a while longer, but we needed to get a move on, so we continued on the track and down to the muddy bit where the horses usually assemble. They were there and so was the mud, but, to be honest, we had seen it worse, and underfoot generally was decent given the time of year.

Graigengillan was passed and at five past twelve we were at the start of the glen. Johnny and Robert left us here and made their way back to Robert’s car. Robert needed to be home early and Johnny is still not at his peak, so eight of us made our way up towards the dam. The water was roaring and parts of the path were trickier than your scribe remembered, but we made our lunch spot at the benches beside the Roundhouse in just under twenty minutes. As we ate and conversed it was announced that Nicola Sturgeon had decided to step down. This led to a break in our banter as it came as quite a surprise to all and sundry. In any case, where was Johnny when you needed him?

Some of the layers that had been removed earlier in the walk had been put back on as sat and had lunch, but they started to be removed again as we took the high path back to the footbridge which would take us on to the final leg of our walk. As usual, the last part on the tarmac seemed to go on forever, partly because we were getting tired by this time, and we were pleased when we reached the cars again at the football ground at exactly two o’clock, four hours for the ten miles.

FRT was taken in the Dalmellington Inn where the punters were well involved in the horse racing on the telly. A satisfying time was had here topped off when the coffees came with caramel logs. A good day out in better than expected weather!

 

 

Arrangements for 22nd February

Cairn Table

Meet at Kames for a 10am start. The plan is to go up the hill the normal way (for the Ooters) and descend by the same route, hoping to avoid too much glaur.

Castle Semple and Howwood 8 February

Allan, Davie C, Dougie, Graham, Gus, Hugh, Ian, Malcolm, Paul, Rex, Robert

 

There was a bitterly cold wind as we assembled at the car park at Castle Semple, hence we were champing at the bit to get started although, let it be noted, we waited until exactly 10 o’clock before doing so. Graham Gibson joined the group and was welcomed as the latest Ooter. He fitted in seamlessly.

Robert suggested that we do the walk in an anti-clockwise direction to lessen the wind-effect, so off we strode up the hill to Auchengrange House where, by tradition, we had a look at the snowdrops, not in full bloom yet, but still a pretty sight. Continuing up past Newton of Belltrees we passed a lady walking her two dogs. Robert passed the time of day and managed to get himself entangled in one of the dog leads, much to the hilarity of everyone. Despite our pleas to keep Robert and take him home with her, Robert was freed and managed to see the funny side of things. We knew Kate kept him on the lead but this was taking things a bit far! Coffee was taken at eleven o’clock beside the track and by midday we had come down into Howwod and took lunch in one of the shelters at the railway station.

The walk along the track below the Temple (Folly) on Kenmure Hill was into a very strong wind, but even so, Davie, Gus, Ian, and Rex took to the hill whilst the rest walked round the track to meet up again at the cycle path. We appreciated the shelter from the wind on this path and only battled with it again when we emerged close to the Visitors’ Centre. Three hours and twenty-five minutes for nearly nine miles were today’s numbers and we agreed that going anti-clockwise was the better way to do the walk. The wind was only a feature for a small part of the walk and underfoot had been good with only the grass path as we approached Bowfield being a bit wet and muddy. FRT was taken in the Brown Bull where a relaxing and humorous time was spent.