Fisherton to Doonfoot via Brown Carrick Hill 30 August

 

Allan, Davie C, Dougie, Gus, Kenny R, Malcolm, Rex

What a great morning for a walk! Blue skies, no threat of rain, and a cool breeze to keep us from over-heating. Anyway, we got off the bus from the Co-op at Doonfoot at Fisherton P.S. at ten to eleven and immediately started on the uphill track which would eventually take us on to Brown Carrick Hill (288m). In the past we have deviated from the path to, for example, visit the wee loch, but today we headed straight for the hill, only stopping at the tree stumps just before the final push up to the top. Here we took coffee, and with excellent views all around, we relaxed before it was time to move on. The last fence was cleared, and we were atop the hill in no time at all, albeit we had to share the trig point with a herd of inquisitive cows.

Having satisfied ourselves with this superb, or maybe fabulous, viewpoint, we pushed on past another herd of cattle, this time they had horns, towards the masts where the backmarkers, no prizes for guessing who, thought that we would have a stop, but the front runners had started their descent down the road and didn’t stop until our traditional coffee spot i.e. when we go up the hill from this direction, was reached. The log we usually sit on was a bit overgrown, but it managed to accommodate most of us, and, as we took our pieces in the sun, we pondered about how hard work this retirement business was.

The walk alongside the road to the farm park was taken with care and as we reached Craig Tara we paused for reflection. It was very warm by this time, so the question was ‘Do we go down to the beach, along past Greenan Castle and then back up to the cars, or do we take the shorter route along the pavement?’ The shorter route won and, before too long, we were at the new underpass on the cycle track adjacent to which a new sensory garden has been established, complete with plenty of benches for the weary walker. We hope that this very attractive addition is treated with the respect it deserves.

Ten minutes later and we were back at the cars. From getting off the bus, it had taken us three hours for the seven miles or so and we were ready for FRT in the beer garden at the Balgarth. If anyone ever wondered about how fast Rex could move, the question was answered when he was ‘attacked’ by a low-flying seagull, or is it just gull, Jimmy?

Other than this, a fine, relaxing time was had to finish off a well-enjoyed walk.

 

 

 

Arrangements for 6 September

Gogo Burn

Meet at John Street in Largs at 10am  for our walk up through Douglas Park, up the steps, and beyond to our turning point at the bridge over the burn. Then follow the track back down to Largs. Just over 8 miles in total.

If poor weather we can do Largs to Fairlie.

Knock Hill 23 August

Alan, Allan, Davie C, Dougie, Graham, Gus, Hugh, Ian, Jimmy, Johnny, Kenny R, Paul, Rex

The weather dried up as we assembled beside the Gogo Burn in Largs for our trip up to Knock Hill. The route was the familiar one along the promenade and up Douglas Road and then on to Brisbane Glen Road.

The turn-off to the track up the hill was soon reached, and layers were removed as, although overcast, it was not cold. As usual, we were going at a fair old pace up the track, and the farm was soon passed by on our way to our coffee stop. It had been an hour since we had set off and we were ready for our break, but as Allan took a bite of his piece, he noticed that Johnny was staggering and seemed to be on the point of collapse. He managed to get a hold of him and, with Dougie’s help, got him sat down. Johnny said he was OK, but we weren’t convinced and after refusing some food and one of Davie’s sugary sweets, he eventually took some water. He was in no state to continue so Alan formulated a plan. He would walk back to his car and bring it up to the road-end, if we could get Johnny down to meet him there. This was not so good a plan as it was pointed out to Alan that his car was in Kilmarnock! It comes to us all!

The better plan, and it was a cunning plan, was that Allan would march back to his car and bring it up to the farm where Johnny could be picked up. By the time Allan was driving back up Brisbane Glen Road he saw Johnny being escorted by his carers, Alan, Davie, and Hugh, coming to meet him. He had recovered enough to start the downward journey with the help of the threesome. Allan got him into his car and took him home by which time he was almost back to normal. He treated Allan to the online version of the ‘National’ newspaper (the SNP supporting publication) but, as he was still in recovery mode, Allan didn’t mention the ferries. Glad to say he was in reasonable spirits as Allan left.

His carers’ plan was to continue down into Largs for lunch, and an earlier visit to the pub than they had expected. Funnily enough, they were not disheartened by that idea.

The rest of the guys completed the hill walk, returning via the golf course, before heading for FRT.

After many years of problem-free walking, we’ve had a few issues lately, an indication probably that time is marching on. All-the-more reason to make sure we go at a sensible pace, we stick together, and we have plenty of view stops.

Some images from the Knock Hill walk

Arrangements for 30 August

 Meet in the car park behind the Co-op at Doonfoot in time for the 10.30 bus to Fisherton.  The plan is to walk from Fisherton to Brown Carrick and then descend to Craig Tara and walk back along the shore (tide permitting) to the cars.

Coylton to Auchincruive 16 August

Alan McQ, Allan, Davie C, Dougie, Francesco, Graham, Gus, Hugh, Jimmy, Malcolm, Paul, Rex, Robert

The day was overcast, but not cold, as we assembled to catch the bus to Coylton. It was good to have our Italian member, Francesco, with us again, who was obviously enjoying our summer warmth as he had his hood up waiting for the bus. Gus, still suffering from his Achilles issue, chose not to come with us, but would walk out to Auchincruive and meet us there. This bus was on time, and we were at Coylton starting our walk at ten o’clock.

We went up Barclaugh Drive before turning left down the minor road which took us to the road up to Sundrum. Passing over this road, we continued past workers who were carrying out renovations to overhead power lines and continued up to Milncraig Farm where we veered left and proceeded on this road until we eventually met the B744, a short distance from the familiar sight of Tarholm Bridge. It was not quite eleven o’clock when we took coffee here with most thinking that we would take the path on the side of the river which would take us up towards the Burns/Wallace monument and then across to Auchincruive. However, the option chosen was to take the path on the other side of the river, a very well-kent path, up to Annbank and the bowling club, and then take the track down to Auchincruive from there.

The stragglers reached there at about half-past twelve just in time to see Gus, who had taken his lunch at the monument, join up with us.

Lunch was taken at the Riverside café’s sitooterie, where the kitty bought the coffees, and a leisurely and peaceful time was spent. Davie took the opportunity here to present Jimmy with a Mars bar, to make up for the one that Jimmy had provided to revive him a couple of weeks ago whilst at Dalmellington. Such acts of friendship, or perhaps folly, don’t go unrewarded. It was interesting to note how many other Ooters were carrying Mars bars, just in case. Maybe we should also invest in a spirit level to check that we are upright at all times.

 My hero!

 As a group of ladies were leaving to continue their walk, one stopped and spoke to us and referred to us as gentlemen. Now we were chuffed as it had been a while since we had been called that, in fact Gus couldn’t remember ever being called that, but nonetheless, we took the time to explain to her that we were actually a group of retired, professional gentlemen, no less.

Alan said it would be a fifteen-minute walk to the bus stop, so the two o’clock bus was our target as we walked down the estate road arriving at the stop at quarter to two for the bus – which was late and didn’t arrive until twenty past. No matter, we were in no particular hurry, and by the time we got back to Ayr and the Market Bar, the sun was breaking through.

The total distance of the walk, including the walk to the bus stop, was about seven miles, and from start to finish, including stops, the time taken was three and three-quarter hours.

A rare time was had at the pub, and it was well after four when we left in brilliant sunshine, after commiserating with Alan on his imminent return to work. An excellent day out!

P.S. Even with the kitty having bought the coffees earlier, it was still in profit at the end of the day.