Arrangements for 7th June

Meet at Derval Davie's at 9:30 for coffee and biscuits. The plan is to do the 3 hour wood walk (nae kiddin' this time)

Failford to Stair walk

Davie Mc, Dougie, Gus, Hugh, Iain, Jimmy, Malcolm, Paul and Rex.

The above 9 Ooters met at Failford on a glorious sunny morning, the warmest walk-day of the year so far. It was nice to welcome Iain Bonnear back after his prolonged absence. although on the return  journey the pace was proving too much for him and, to quote, he was "rapidly losing the will to live". So the usual "no compassion" was shown to Iain on his first walk back.

The Failford Gorge was looking resplendently lush, with lots of wildflowers in abundance with several of us commenting on the superb white blossom of the hawthorn trees.

We took the lower path along the river which meant of course we had 100 lung bursting steps at the other end to negotiate.

Before long we were heading past Daldorch farm and the massive barley crop on our right. Jimmy was heard to guess how many bottles of malt whisky could be made from such a field.

Of course, it was now time to enter the wood where the landslip is. Your scribe had not been as far as this for a long time and didn't know what to expect. Unfortunately the landslip has got much worse since we last did the walk; lots more vegetation and some really difficult, dangerous, obstacles to manoeuvre round. However we all made it safely to our lunch spot at Stair weir, where we noticed that the old sluice and lade seemed to be in operation again, and a new sign "Dalmore Hydro" could be seen across the road where the honing works used to be.

There were no dissenting voices when it was suggested we take the easy way back, avoiding the landslip again although Isla was not happy about walking on the main road, sitting down and waiting till each car passed by before continuing, causing Davie to be well behind at the coo's tail for a while.

The return journey proved very pleasant indeed, (maybe not for Iain), and we arrived back at the cars 3 hours and 20 minutes after we had set off.  We were all desperate for FRT which of course we enjoyed in the sit-ooterie of the Black Bull in Mauchline. Sausage rolls were provided as usual and we enjoyed a good hour's banter. Fabulous day out!

Text by Davie and photos by Jimmy

 

Arrangements for the 31st May

 Meet at 9:54 am at Failford. The planned walk is Failford to Stair and back.

Darvel 24 May

 

Allan, Dave Mc, Dougie, Gus, Hugh, Johnny, Kenny R, Paul, Rex

We had planned an earlier start today to accommodate Paul who had a dental appointment in the afternoon, so we were all present and correct, at least we thought so, before the 9.30am starting time. Davie and Kay invited us in for coffee and cookies, an offer we couldn’t refuse, Thanks guys, especially Kay, who was left with the washing up. It was nearly quarter to ten when we eventually set off only to see Kenny turning into Davie’s street. He was ready in no time and joined us for what was meant to be a shortish walk.

Unbeknown to us, Davie had decided not to do the walk through the woods but led us left at the gates to Lanfine and up the hill and on to the Long Cairn Walk towards Loudoun Hill. The warm weather forecast for later in the week had not arrived yet and the chilly breeze was still around, so it was a walk where layers came off and went back on again depending on the location. Given the recent dry weather underfoot conditions were good, and we reached our lunch spot just above the Spirit of Scotland monument, having chosen not to stop for coffee earlier, two hours after having set off. Johnny chose to walk on and get the last wee bit of climbing done rather than stop and start again. It was cold as we sat and had our pieces, so we didn’t delay too long before skirting the hill and catching up with Johnny at the road.

From there it was on to the old railway line, now with a pukka path, which took us along and back down into Darvel. Some chose to walk along the main road back to the cars, a slightly shorter route, whilst the rest took to the riverside path and arrived back having covered just over the nine miles in three hours and thirty-five minutes. “Not bad”, said Davie, “for a four-hour walk”.

Paul had departed by this time and Kenny had an appointment with a cold beer back home, so seven of us took well-earned FRT in the Black Bull where the coffees were free, and we all got a biscuit as well. Well done, the Black Bull! Must be something about pubs of that name as they appear to be very appreciative of our business. From one corner came a call for a three-pint day but, in the absence of some of our thirstier Ooters, the call was rejected.

Another grand day out!

 

Annbank Circular 17 May

 

Alan, Allan, Davie Mc, Dougie, Graham, Gus, Hugh, Johnny, Paul, Robert

It was a nice, bright, dry morning as we set off to do our weel-kent walk from Annbank. Travelling in a clockwise direction, we made good progress down to Privick Mill and then on to the path beside the River Ayr. When we arrived at the spot where we have the option to go high or low, we chose the low road today, but soon encountered some difficult sections due to landslips and fallen trees. Having gingerly, but safely, negotiated these difficulties, most made the decision to go high when we did the walk again, particularly if the ground was soft and wet. Coffee was taken, as is the norm, at the fishermen’ shelter before we moved on and crossed the river at Tarholm Bridge, and then followed the path towards the Wallace and Burns monument. Fortunately, underfoot conditions were fine today, and we took the lower riverside path rather than staying high.

By ten past twelve we were all seated having our lunch at the monument, enjoying the tranquil and warm conditions. Most had stripped off layers by this time as the overcast conditions forecast had not materialised.

The return leg past Auchincruive and back to the Bowling Club in Annbank took about forty-five minutes meaning that we had done the seven and a half mile walk in three hours and ten minutes. The last stretch up to the cars was, as always, challenging. A hill is all you need at the end of a walk!

FRT was taken outside at the Tap o’ the Brae, the first time for a wee while since we have enjoyed our refreshment in a sit-ooterie. Happy days!

 Spot the dog!.

Arrangements for Wed 24th May.

 Meet at 9.30.a.m. in Derval Davy’s place. The walk will be decided on the day.

Arrangements for Wed 17 May

 Meet beside Annbank bowling club at 9.50.a.m. The proposed walk is a clockwise route along the river to the usual monument to Burns and Wallace for lunch break. The return will be along the Auchincruive side of the river. FRT can be accessed in the Tap of the Brae pub. The forecast at the moment is very sunny with no rain and very gentle wind conditions.

Largs to Fairlie 10 May

 

Allan, Davie C, Gus, Hugh, Johnny, Paul, Robert

The rain was bouncing off the streets as we arrived in Largs but, by 10 o’clock it had gone off, and we decided to make a start. The forecast was poor so there was no dissent to abandoning the walk to Knock Hill and doing a low level walk to Fairlie instead.

The weather was brightening up and, by the time we approached Fairlie, layers had been removed and all was fine until we got to our usual lunch spot at the picnic benches. We were nearly finished eating when a squally shower arrived, but, by the time waterproofs had gone back on, it was dry and sunny again.

Retracing our steps back to Largs, it was getting so warm that some of us were down to shirt sleeves, but, with twenty minutes to go before we were back at the cars, the rain came on quite seriously. Fortunately, it went off again as we got changed and headed to Drouthy Neebors for refreshment.

We had done seven miles in two hours forty-five minutes and, in the main, had encountered good conditions, despite what the online forecast had said. Knock Hill will be there for another day.

A satisfying day out.