Arrangements for 6th March

Lunky Hole Walk

Meet at Kames at 10am. 

If the weather forecast  is poor we will meet instead at Knockroon for a shorter walk. Check the blog on the Tuesday evening for any changes.

Dean Park to Craufurdland 21 February

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

It was a thoroughly wet morning as we assembled at the Dean Castle car park, a weather-related alternative to our Erskine Bridge walk. No matter, it wasn’t cold, and we set off up Assloss Road before cutiing over to the ford and on to Grassyards Road. We weren’t hanging about and the turning towards Fenwick was soon in sight, a route we took up to the entrance to Craufurdland and the Laird’s Table.

Having done four miles, we debated whether to have a break here or not, but in the end, all were settled inside for a coffee which, for the record was paid for by adding extra to the kitty. Allan wasn’t feeling great, so Hugh, Rex and Robert finished the last two miles on their own and returned by car to pick up the rest. Allan was fine by this time, thanked his carers for their attention and said he was OK to go for FRT. The weather had dried up by this time, but Rex and Robert decided to go straight home, leaving the others, plus Billy, to head for Wetherspoon’s.

A most pleasant afternoon was spent there, and, for some, it was a ‘tpd’. When we left the skies were blue and the roads were dry. What a change from the morning!

Change of plan for Wed 21st Feb

 After some discussion it was agreed that in view of the very wet forecast for Wed there was little point in travelling to Erskine to get soaked as we can get every bit as wet locally. The decision was to walk locally from the Dean Castle car park up past Assloss farm to Grassyards road then through Craufordland back to the starting point. The Erskine outing is postponed to next week weather permitting. Meet at 10.00.a.m.

Arrangements for 21st February

 'Fish Supper' walk.

Meet at Caulders Garden Centre, Eskine at 10am for a coffee before walking to McMonagles in Clydebank for our lunch. We can decide on the day, depending on the weather, whether to drive to the canal, or walk from the garden centre, or whatever!

Eglinton Park and Curry 14 February

Allan, Davie Mc, Gus, Hugh, Jimmy, Johnny, Malcolm, Rex, Robert

It was a dreich morning at Eglinton Park for our pre-curry walk. Fortunately, the heavy rain which had been forecast didn’t materialise, and although underfoot was muddy, very muddy at times, we made good progress as we headed out to Sourlie before cutting back to the ‘standing’ stones. Here we met up with members of a local OIR rambling group, who we had already chatted to in the car park, and, as some were known to us, we took time to pass the time of day before heading back to the cars. This was meant to be the first section of the walk but, given the conditions and the fact that we had already done nearly five miles, we called it a day, with Davie and Jimmy heading home and the rest making for the café for coffee.

We had been lucky that the rain hadn’t come to much and looked forward to the evening meal.

At night, the nine above were joined by Alan McQ, Billy, Dougie, and Ronnie in the Jewel to celebrate Jimmy’s 75^th. As usual, the food was good, and we were well looked after by Katrina. Davie presented Jimmy with his card and bottle of malt to celebrate not only his birthday (12^th February) but also his contribution to the Ooters over the years. Well done, Jimmy!

Anither guid nicht oot!

Thanks for the great birthday dinner last night guys. It and the present are greatly appreciated.

Some from the walk round Eglinton Park

Castle Semple to Howwood 7 February

Allan, Dougie, Graham, Gus, Hugh, Jimmy, Johnny, Kenny R, Paul, Rex, Robert

It was a bright, cold morning as we met at Castle Semple for our ‘snowdrop walk’. The swans seemed to fancy Dougie for some reason but, once we had extricated him, we were on our way in the clockwise direction.

We took to the cycle track straight away as Kenny had suggested that the loch side path would be flooded, and made good progress to the turn off for the folly. Graham, Gus, Hugh, Jimmy, Paul and Rex went up to the folly and took coffee there whilst the rest went round it and took their break at the bench beside the globe. There was only one large puddle to contend with on the way to the gate at the road and it was negotiated reasonably easily. By the time the back-markers reached here, Graham, Gus , Hugh, Paul and Rex had disappeared into the horizon leaving the remainder to ponder their position. It has to be said that normally this gate is locked and we have to scramble over it or the adjoining wall, and so it was today until Jimmy pointed out that the gate was unlocked and could be opened easily. Unlucky for some! Dougie and Robert decided to go after the hares, only catching up just before Auchengrange House and its snowdrops, whilst the remaining four turned back, for various reasons, to retrace their steps.

The four walked back at a leisurely pace and decided to follow the grass track up and over the hill, taking in the excellent view, before descending back to the cycle track and making their way back along to the car park. However, they deviated to take in the collegiate church and went up through Parkhill Wood, before finally returning at ten past one and having lunch on the benches beside the loch. As they were just finishing, the rest of the guys arrived having done the nine miles in three hours and twenty-five minutes.

The Brown Bull was chosen for FRT where, next time, a seat beside the fire will be chosen. The day had worked out well in terms of the organisation of the walks, the weather, and the banter in the pub, and the two-walk option might be the way to go in the future.

 

Some from the Lochwinnoch walk

Arrangements for 14th February

Eglinton Park

Meet at the Visitors' Centre in Eglinton Park at 10am for a walk of about six miles. Coffee can be taken midway at the cafe if desired. Walk can be organised to avoid traffic noise i.e. dog-friendly.

Some from the walk at the south end of Ayr (Davie C, Dougie, Gus, Hugh, Jimmy, Malcolm, Rex)