Cumbrae 29 March

 

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

It was an overcast morning in Largs as we assembled for the 9.45am ferry, at least so we thought! When we got to the ticket office, we were advised that the ferry takes a break at this time and that it would be 10.15 before we could set off. No matter, most of us enjoyed carry-out coffees while we waited, and during this time Davie presented Paul with a hand-written copy of the latest verse of the Ooters’ song (in recognition of Paul’s recent misadventure), and also a keyring torch – in order that he can see plant pots when it is dark outside!

Having reached Cumbrae, the majority set off anti-clockwise round the island but Allan (still nursing a sair knee) and Johnny decided on a shorter walk up along Ferry Road and down to Millport from there. As it turned out, given that they were sheltered from the wind and were only walking at a modest pace, they deviated and went up to the Glaid Stone before strolling down to the Garrison arriving at 12.25 a few minutes before the rest of the guys. Good timing!

The party was split at this point with some choosing to buy their lunch there and others choosing to eat their pieces.

The weather was still dry as we left the Garrison. Alan, Allan and Johnny decided to take the bus back to the slipway whilst the others walked up Ferry Road. The bus boys managed to get the 1.30 ferry, just as the rain was starting, and headed to Drouthy Neebors, as Wetherspoon’s was packed. The others manged to catch the 2pm ferry and re-joined the rest in the pub, which, for some, was a three-pint day.

We had got the best of the day in terms of weather as it rained quite heavily when we were enjoying our apres-walk but had eased off as we left. Another good day out.

Arrangements for Wednesday 5th April

Minishant to Maybole

Meet at the Town Green in Maybole in time for the 10:26 Service 60 bus to Minishant. We will then walk 7 miles back to Maybole along quiet country roads. Some of us did this walk last July.  

Option of having a coffee before we get the bus at either the nearby Carrick Centre or the Dairy Corner café across from the Town Hall.

Dates for your diary

Possible dates if all OK with these suggestions,

Alan McQuiston will lead two walks -

 Wed 5th April - meet in Maybole ,bus to Minishant and walk back (7 miles)

Wed 12 April - walk to be agreed followed by Pool competition in Rex’s place.

If all OK with proposed arrangements Alan will post more detailed arrangements nearer the time.

Erskine Bridge to Clydebank 22 March

Alan, Allan, Davie C, Dougie, Gus, Hugh, Johnny, Malcolm, Paul, Rex, Robert

We enjoyed our coffee at the garden centre below the Erskine Bridge before making our minds up that, given the blustery conditions, we would drive over the bridge and park at our access point to the canal path. Overhead was bright and dry, and the path was sheltered from the wind, which was not as bad as forecast and which was to abate as the day went on.

As usual, we were well -spread out by the time we got to McMonagles, but all were there by twenty past eleven – too early for lunch, maybe? There was some thought to continue along the path for another half an hour or so before returning, but the allure of fish and chips or black pudding and chips was too great, and we settled down for an early lunch.

The return leg was straightforward, in good walking conditions meaning we were back at the cars about ten to one having done between six and six and a half miles since setting off at twenty past ten. We were lucky with the weather, dry and bright and with no issues with the wind on our route. FRT was taken back at the Kings Arms in Fenwick where Georgian architecture didn’t get a look-in!

 

Arrangements for Wed 29 th March.

 Meet in the usual parking area beside the Gogo burn Largs at 9.39a.m. in time for the 9.45a.m. ferry. The proposed walk is the anti clockwise version round the island . Lunch can be either in the Garrison or outside the Garrison from your rucksack. The walk back to the pier will probably be along Ferry Road.

In the event of bad weather the walk will be along the front to Fairlie and back.

Knockroon to Ochiltree - 15 March

 Rex, Graham, Dougie, Paul, Malcolm, Jimmy, Davie M, Davie C, Robert, Alan, Hugh.

We gathered at Knockroon at 9.45. Given the likely underfoot conditions not much enthusiasm was shown for the ascent of Corsencon ... so Ochiltree it was.

We passed through the impressive Barony Campus and joined the riverside path.  It wasn't in the best of condition with caterpillar tracks having churned it up.  Eventually we came across the guilty vehicle and workmen - unfortunately your scribe was too far away to hear the conversation that ensued but no doubt Robert was giving them useful advise.

Despite the ice-covered puddles on the track we made speedy progress to our coffee stop - the shelter in the nascent arboretum at Dumfries House.  The door was locked but we made use of the ample seating around the building ... although Jimmy opted to stand.

The low-lying ground beneath the Barony bing was swamped by overflowing burns but we managed to pick our way carefully through the floods before reaching higher, drier ground. Surprisingly, given past experience, the path up the bing to the A Frame wasn't too boggy and we were soon settling down to an early lunch at the picnic tables in the shadow of the old headgear. We were even treated to a few glimpses of the sun as the forecast rain had still not arrived.

In the absence of Allan, Robert had taken it upon himself to check bus times.  There is now just one bus an hour from Ochiltree back to Cumnock - on the half hour: and it looked as if we would just miss the 12.30 bus.  We left our lunch spot and followed the river, passing the old water wheel at Mill Affleck and passing over some very rickety wooden bridges to arrive in Ochiltree at around 12.45.  

Some of the company opted to "hang about" but the majority followed Davie M who took us on a bonus walk following another loop in the river. This path was very slippery with half an inch (1.27 cm for the youngsters) of liquid mud sitting on top of a harder base.  We passed the wheel and buildings of an old saw mill, Davie thought he might have seen a kingfisher and we were back in the village by 1.15.  There was just enough time for wee Davie to perform the world premiere of the new verse added to the Ooters' song to commemorate Paul's recent trip.   Your scribe can't remember the full verse but the rhymes included 'night', 'light', 'bright' and 'sh...".  

The bus was on time and bus passes were shown ... although Graham had to cough up £3.10. The first spots of rain were evident on the windscreen as we returned to Knockroon.  Well timed indeed!

FRT was taken in Mauchline at the Black Bull where the complimentary sausage rolls were much appreciated. The usual hour of nonsense ensued.

A good day out. It was suggested that the next time we do this walk we do it in reverse(!) - taking the bus to Ochiltree and walking back.

Distance (including bonus) 7.5 miles.

Arrangements for Wednesday 22nd March

 Meet in the Erskine Bridge garden centre at 9.30 .for coffee and be ready to start walking by 10.00.a.m.The walk will take us over the bridge and along the canal to Clydebank shopping centre. McMonagles will supply lunch in the form of fish and chips etc.

Ballageich Hill 8 March

 

Alan, Allan, Graham, Gus, Hugh, Kenny R, Malcolm, Paul, Rex, Robert

What a great morning for a walk! Bright, sunny, but cold. We were happy to see Paul restored to us after his trip, and Kenny also had made the journey down to join us.

Setting off from Eaglesham we made good progress back up the moor road, so much so that one or two of the group shed hats and gloves to stop them overheating. Half an hour later and we were at the base of Ballageich Hill, not the biggest hill we will climb but the last wee bit certainly is steep, and those of us, not in the best of condition, decided to have a couple of view stops on the way up. We normally take coffee at the top but we were in the cold wind so we followed Robert, yes, we were living dangerously, across the plateau before starting the tricky descent down to the reservoirs. Care had to be taken negotiating the longish grass, but we all made it down safely and were glad that the frost had hardened up the ground and had made the going so much more comfortable. 

 

Coffee was taken beside Bennan Loch, where we marvelled at how blue the water was, before it was time to move on up the track to Lochcraig Reservoir at which point we headed for the farm where we turned right to take us back towards Eaglesham. The going was good and we were reasonably sheltered from the breeze and we looked forward to our lunch stop. Unfortunately, people were working in the woods towards the golf course and had lit a fire with the smoke billowing over towards us, so we walked on past our usual spot and settled down a wee bit further down the road.

The walk back to the cars was straightforward and we arrived back just after one o’clock, Seven and a half miles in three hours and five minutes.

FRT was taken in the Kings Arms in Fenwick where we treated ourselves to some lovely hand-cut chips. A great way to end a cracking day out.

They were ready for us!