11 December - Dumfries House Walk and Christmas Curry

 The Walk

Rex, Graham, Alan M, Paul, Malcolm, Jimmy, Alan, Robert, Hugh, Gus

We gathered at Knockroon on a cold, frosty and slightly murky morning. We headed for Barony Campus and then followed our usual route alongside the Lugar Water.  We were at the Coach House Café by 11 o'clock and piled in for a selection of coffees, teas, scones, biscuits (Empire(1) and Gypsy(2)),  and filled rolls. 

After a pleasant 30 minutes in the warmth of the Coach House we set off to view the marble crucifix erected in 1900 in memory of the third Marquess of Bute (he was buried on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem) (3). This viewing was largely for Alan M's benefit since he had not seen it before.

Having passed by the crucifix which towered above us and climbed up to the path back to Dumfries House, Alan M asked "So where is the crucifix?"  Alan volunteered to take him back to view what he had missed.(3)

There was some discussion about continuing to the A Frame but the general view was that returning to Knockroon would be sufficient exercise ahead of the curry. When we passed under the A76 we took a left turn and then followed the Auchinleck Burn coming out at the Jet Petrol station north of Knockroon.  Well, all apart from Robert (engrossed in his phone) who had carried straight on when the rest off us turned left and Malcolm who went to accompany him back to the cars. 

Distance 6 miles

(1) Empire biscuit.  A biscuit originating in Scotland. Also known as Imperial, German/Deutsch, Belgian and Linzer.

(2) Gypsy cream - Originally produced by McVitie's who stopped making them in 2005.

(3) The Marquess of Bute Case is well-known in legal circles. Remember to ask Dougie about it the next time you see him.  In brief the Marquess was appointed to the board of the Cardiff Savings Bank at the age of six months. For the next 38 years he attended one board meeting. The bank became insolvent because another director defrauded the bank but it was successfully argued that the Marquess could not be considered in breach of his duty of care as a director of the Bank just because he didn't attend the Bank's board meetings.  Sounds reasonable.

(4) For Alan M

The Curry

Billy, Dougie and Derval Davie joined the walkers for the Christmas Curry at the Jewel in the Crown.  Davie's arrival was met with a loud cheer from the assembled Ooters.  A very pleasant three hours was spent and Malcolm carried out his adding up, taking away and dividing duties very efficiently.  We acceded to Catriona's request for a chorus of the Ooters' Song and our thanks go to Catriona and her assistant for looking after us so well.