Greenock Cut 26 July

 

Alan McQ, Allan, Davie C, Hugh, Ian, Jimmy*, Johnny, Malcolm, Robert

Having assembled at the car park on the Seamill road, we motored up towards the Greenock Cut in the expectation that the access road would be open. Robert was well ahead of us, as you might expect, and as Davie’s and Malcolm’s cars drove up from the main road, they were met by Robert coming back down telling us that the road was still shut. There was another route though, and he would wait at the road end whilst the other two cars turned around. The air was blue when it was discovered that he had failed to wait, but Allan had a notion of the road to take and, to cut a long story short, or to cut a long road for a shortcut short, Drumfrochar station was found and then the Old Largs Road was taken. By this circuitous route up to Loch Thom, Cornalees was reached at about twenty-five past ten, and we found Ian waiting for us. ‘Ah forgot’, said Robert. Anyway, pelters were given and received.

It was a grand day for a walk, and we set off anti-clockwise, passing the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders’ memorial and then climbing the hill until the Firth of Clyde came into view, and it was downhill to our usual coffee stop. The views were excellent, and Malcolm produced large portions of cake for us all to get stuck into.

On the way down from here Isla managed to get stuck behind a wire fence but our new dog whisperer, Alan, managed to coax her back on to the track. Once on the Cut path, the going was easy with the only thing to worry about being the copious amounts of sheep droppings on the path, but it was soon time to think about lunch. Robert, at the front again, had stopped at a spot he said was the usual spot, but the rest disagreed and marched on leaving only Hugh to keep him company. The recognised lunch spot was reached ten minutes later where a relaxing break was had.

As the main party was preparing to set off again, the other two caught up and we started the last leg of our walk back to the car park reaching there after three hours and four minutes, according to our Derval timekeeper, and having covered seven and a half miles, according to the technology on Alan’s and Malcolm’s wrists.

We took the Old Largs Road (Brisbane Glen) back to Largs with some still bearing the mental scars of the last time we used it. This time the travelling was much easier with only a few oncoming vehicles to contend with, and Largs was reached without mishap. However, trying to find a place to park was not so easy given how busy the resort was. No matter, we were soon all settled at the sitooterie at Drouthy Neebors where a pleasant time was spent.

A satisfying day out, eventually!

*Belated recognition and thanks to our own Milky Bar Kid for producing the Mars Bar which revived wee Davie last week. We look forward to the rest of us getting one provided the next time we are out!

Some images from the Greenock Cut walk

Arrangements for Wednesday 2nd August

Ochiltree to Cumnock

Meet at Knockroon at 9.30am for the bus to Ochiltree. Walk back to Knockroon via the Barony A frame and Dumfries House Estate.

Service 42 bus leaves from Knockroon at 9.45am, arriving in Ochiltree at 9.57am.

Loch Doon 19 July

 

Alan McQ, Allan, Davie C, Davie Mc, Dougie, Gus, Hugh, Jimmy, Paul, Rex, Robert

We met at the car park at Craigmark’s football ground and, given the excellent weather, we decided to do the walk from Loch Doon Castle. The views up the loch were grand and, before we knew it, we had assembled again at the car park across from the castle. This was to be a new walk for most of us. So, we set off, towards the head of the loch, in good heart and at a decent pace and before long had crossed the first bridge of the day, the one over Carrick Lane (our Cumnock sage tells us that burns are called lanes in this part of the world). Most of us went down to see the wee waterfall before returning to the road. Passing the renovated Starr Cottage (a Starr Trek today) we walked along the forest road until the next bridge was encountered, over Gala Lane, and just beyond here we stopped for coffee.

Gus was suffering from an Achilles tendon injury, so he decided to walk back to his car from the coffee spot. He had come prepared to pass his time bringing, some reading material, a deck chair, and a knotted handkerchief.

The rest continued up the track with the Rhinns of Kells on our left and the Galloway Forest hills appearing on our right, making for some inspiring scenery. We had feared that we would be enclosed by the trees on either side of us but, because of tree-felling, at least one side was always open. By about half past eleven we were at the second bridge over the Gala Lane, a point where some thought the walk would turn round, but those at the front walked on. Allan decided to turn back here (A Bridge Too Far) and return to his vehicle, not realising that the main party was just going to walk for another ten minutes or so along the track until it deteriorated on to some rough, soggy grass and then to another bridge for lunch.

The return journey was by the same route with the main group returning to the cars having covered nearly nine miles in about three and a half hours. Killie Davie was having knee problems when he arrived back. It was not to be his day!

If it wisnae for the Ooters, where wid ye be?

Lyin’ on a trolley at the infirmaree

So, bring along a chocolate bar

And another wan for me

When you come for a walk wi’ the Ooters

 FRT was taken at the sitooterie at the Dalmellington Inn where, as usual, we enjoyed our drinks and the legendary banter. As we were about to leave, we noticed that wee Davie was ‘not with us’. Thankfully, with the help of Dr Porter (The Wizard Of Oz) and Nurse Kerr (Carry On, Nurse! Eat your heart out Ronnie Thompson!), and a Mars bar, he eventually came round and was able to be driven home without the need for medical treatment. What he doesn’t know is that whilst trying to revive him, he was given a gentle slap on his cheek by Gus or one of his assistants. This was too much of an opportunity to miss, so the rest of the Ooters formed an orderly queue behind him so we could all have a slap. Mind you, when the kiss of life was suggested, everyone took a step back and thought of the motto*. Seriously though, it was a relief that he recovered, even better that the kitty was intact! And to be fair to the punters in the pub, genuine concern was shown.

A memorable day out!

*Thou shalt not show undue compassion or concern. Or words to that effect.

 

Some more images from a cracking walk south of Loch Doon