Given the poor forecast for Wednesday, the nine members of the Monday Club present today decided that Wednesday's walk be changed.
New arrangements are : Meet at the Burns Birthpace Centre in Alloway at 10am for a walk probably through Rozelle and along the cycle path. Details can be firmed up on the morning. There is an opportunity to have a coffee before the walk shouild the majority decide.
The 'snowdrop walk' will be done on 7th February (weather permitting).
The Morning
Alan, Allan, Davie ’Twa Dugs’ Mc, Dougie, Graham, Gus, Hugh, Johnny, Rex, Robert
We met up at Johnny’s to deliver the food and drink for the evening’s celebration. Johnny had provided coffee and scones, thanks Johnny, and these were gratefully devoured before seven of the number left for the circular walk from Cunninghamhead, a walk well-known to the Monday Club. Johnny and Allan stayed behind to set up the room for later and Davie departed to look after his charges.
The Evening
The Ooters Eleventh Burns Supper.
Alan, Allan, Billy, Davie Mc, Dougie, Graham, Gus, Jimmy, Johnny, Rex, Ronnie, Robert
As always this proved to be a most enjoyable night. The food was excellent, so thanks to all who contributed so generously.
Gus chaired the proceedings in his own inimitable style and delivered a well-researched and thought-provoking Immortal Memory, as well as comfortably keeping the Ooters in check, even as the evening wore on. Jimmy toasted the haggis and excelled at reciting Holy Wullie’s Prayer. Davie’s Tam o’ Shanter was superb, maybe even fabulous. Johnny toasted the lasses with emotion, and not a little humour, and Allan gave a toast to the Ooters reminiscing about the years gone by. Rex, Robert, Graham, Dougie, Davie (again) and Alan produced a variety of further entertaining contributions, whilst Ronnie, who was on Irn-Bru all evening, provided excellent backing to the large number of songs sung with gusto by the company, and didn’t take much persuasion to do a couple of solos. Well done also to Billy for joining us.
Thanks to all for making this such a memorable night, but special thanks to Johnny and Helen for hosting the event. Johnny had produced song books and personalised placemats and had the table looking fair braw, not to mention the fact that he had done all the cooking and was left with all the clearing up. I’m sure though that at the end of the day he felt it was well worth it as nights like this we should enjoy as long as we can.
P.S. For the record, we held another virtual Burns Supper in 2021 thanks to Alan McQ.
Although not fully discussed the only suggestion on the table was the Snowdrop walk near Loch Winnoch. Consequently the arrangements are as follows ,meet at ten in the car park beside Castle Semple Loch .If the weather turns out to be unpleasant we can always walk along the old railway / cycle track
Allan, Davie C, Davie Mc, Dougie, Gus, Hugh, Johnny, Paul, Rex, Robert
We assembled on a bright, but bitterly cold, morning at the Visitors Centre at Whitelee Windfarm with thoughts of having a coffee first, but most just wanted to get on with the walk and, in the event, with the centre being closed (it seems to completely shut at present), we set off for the Lochgoin Circuit. There had only been a light dusting of snow over the last day or so, but with it thawing and then refreezing, underfoot conditions were treacherous, with us searching out the white, crunchy stuff to walk on.
Half an hour into our trek and Wee Davie succumbed to the ice, slipped, and landed, fortunately, on his rucksack. Having been helped to his feet, Allan explained to him that, on his way down he had swung his walking pole and cracked Allan across the mouth. There appeared to be no damage to either of them although it was later discovered that Davie’s piece box had in fact been smashed to pieces and that his spec box had been mangled. It could have been worse!
No matter, we marched on carefully and took coffee at the far end of the reservoir beside turbine 88. Moving on from there we simply followed the signs for the circuit, deviating slightly to head down to the dam before rejoining the recognised route opposite the path up to the Lochgoin (Covenanters) Monument. This proved to be too much of an attraction, and we headed up to it for lunch. Whilst eating we took in the views from Ailsa Craig to Arran and up to Ben Lomond as visibility was excellent.
Fifteen minutes later and we were on the last leg of our walk and by ten past one all were safely back at the cars having covered eight miles.
It had been one of those walks where you had to keep your head down and watch every step you took with most amongst us having had a wee slip but, nonetheless, with the constant winter’s sun and blue skies, it had been a satisfying day out. Wee Davie might not agree!
FRT was taken at the Kings Arms in Fenwick where a relaxing time was had.
Meet at Johnny's at 9.30. for coffee and scones. Please bring all items necessary for the Burns Supper later that evening. Between 9.30. and 10.00. we can agree on a walk to suit the weather conditions.
Allan, Davie C, Davie Mc, Gus, Hugh, Jimmy, Johnny, Paul, Rex, Robert
The weather was much calmer than it was a fortnight ago when we met in the same car park in Cumnock for the day’s walk. After the bright, but cold, past few days it was overcast with the temperature just above freezing. Good walking conditions though. Jimmy led us across the path through the new playing fields to the bridge over the Lugar and on to the riverside trail which we followed to the grounds of Dumfries House. Coffee was taken at the rotunda, sadly locked, but with enough external seating to accommodate us.
Just after eleven o’clock saw us cross the Chinese Bridge and take a right up the steps and on to the path which took us to the entrance road into the estate, a road we followed up to the main road, the A70.
Now, when they same that auld age disnae come itsel’, they might be right, as our guide had a senior moment and took us down to the right before realising after ten minutes that we should have gone left. We weren’t too sore on him, as we soon retraced our steps and continued towards Cumnock until we turned right on to Station Avenue which we followed relentlessly upwards until the old estate station was reached. It had been years since most of us had been here and we were reminded that the last time we had come this way the snow was thick on the ground. Anyway, after a short view stop, we continued on this road until we came to Skares Road. Turning left and we would have been back in Cumnock in jig-time, but we turned right and headed past what remains of Garrallan school (where Derval Davie’s dad attended) before taking a left and stopping for lunch at the side of the road.
It was about half-past twelve when we moved on, taking a left on to Cairn Road, and continuing down to Cumnock. Unfortunately, the road back into Cumnock was marred with litter and bigger deposits of fly-tipping, a topic we have covered many times in the past. However, we crossed the bridge over the bypass and took a left into ‘the Glens’ housing estate, where we stopped to be informed that the flat we were looking at was where Davie was born, and the one across the road was where Jimmy was born. No blue plaques on display to commemorate these momentous events, but we look forward to future walks when the twosome can take us take us to places where further important events in their development took place. Well, maybe not!
We eventually came out at Hearth Road, across from Aldi, and it was just a short walk back to the cars. As said before, the weather had been overcast and we had encountered some moisture, more like low cloud than actual rain, but all in all it had been a good day out having covered eight miles in three and a quarter hours. FRT was taken in a very quiet Black Bull in Mauchline where we were very well received and supplied with sausage rolls and biscuits. Hospitality like that deserves to be rewarded. We will be back!
Meet in Whitelees visitor’s centre at 10.00.a.m.for coffee etc. The walk will be planned around the Whitelees tracks depending on the weather which looks good on the long range forecast.
Ooters Burns Supper 24th Jan 2024
Davy Mc, Jimmy, Gus, Davy Cl, Robert, Alan, Ronnie, Billy, Rex, Dougie, Graham, Allan, Johnny.
13 so far - still 3 comfortable spaces at table available.
Any Ooters omitted, wrongly included or would now be able to attend inform Johnny ASAP - now printing table placemats
Food & Drink
Gus - Soup
Johnny - Haggis
Allan - Neeps & Tatties, Bread
Robert - Apple Pie
Jimmy - Custard
Davy Mc, Rex - Cheese & Biscuits
B.Y.O.B
Actors
Gus - Chairman & Immortal memory
Davy Cl - Toast the Ooters
Davy Mc - Toast the Lassies
Jimmy - The Haggis
Ronnie - Songs and Music
The Ooters - Each to contribute within their comfort zone.
Evening Programme
1800 – 1830 The Gathering
1830 – 1930 The Meal
1930 – 2030 Immortal Memory
Readings and Songs
2030 - 2040 Interval
2040 – 2140 Toast to the Lassies
Readings and Songs
2140 – 2150 Interval
2150 – 2240 Toast to the Ooters
Readings and Songs
2300 - Carriages
Any of the above that I've got wrong please get in touch.
Alan, Alan McQ, Allan, Davie C, Davie Mc, Dougie, Gus, Hugh, Jimmy, Kenny R, Kenny T, Malcolm, Paul
The first walk of the new year saw us assemble at Irvine shore for a walk to Barassie. Having wished each other a ‘Happy New Year’, we set off under a cloudy sky along the beach noticing a group of five girls readying themselves for a wild swim in the choppy waters. Surprisingly enough, none of the Ooters seemed interested in joining them!
The walking on the beach was good and, although there was the odd spit of rain, the skies began to brighten as we reached the benches at Barassie for our coffee stop exactly an hour after having set off.
Twenty minutes later and we were on the return journey and, with the slight breeze behind us and the sun coming out, we seemed to be back at the cars in no time although, in reality, it had taken us the same time as the outward journey.
Kenny T and Kenny R (who had been nursing an Achilles tendon problem) headed home whilst the rest took FRT in the Harbour Lights, spending a very pleasant hour there.
A good day out and a welcome way to get back in the old routine after the festive season.
Cumnock Walk
Meet in the car park opposite the hospital (Ayr Road) in Cumnock for a 10am start. The walk will be that previously planned for 27th December and be led by Jimmy.
