Smugglers Trail (part of) 11th June

 

Allan, Davie C, Davie Mc, Dougie, Hugh, Jimmy, Johnny, Malcolm, Paul

Many thanks to Anne and Malcolm for the coffee and bacon rolls prior to our walk. Very much appreciated!  As we ate, we discussed the options for the day as the strike by bus drivers meant that we couldn’t get the bus back from Troon. There was general agreement to follow the Smugglers Trail as far as the picnic benches in the Fullarton woods and then retrace our steps from there.

Leaving Malcolm’s at just after ten o’clock, we went past the nursing home and over the hill to the reservoir. By this time the temperature was rising, and layers were shed in anticipation of a fine day ahead. Derval Davie and Isla turned back at this point leaving the rest to progress down through Loans and up the main road to the turn-off to the Trail. Walking down this path we encountered a field of young heifers with whom Jimmy struck up a relationship. Suffice it to say that there was a lot of licking involved, much to Jimmy’s apparent pleasure!

We were at our lunch spot at the benches near the toilets an hour and a half after having set off and we enjoyed our rest as the four miles we had done so far in the heat was telling on us.

By midday we were on our way again but took the option of going down to Wilson Avenue and then Hunter Crescent before emerging on to Dundonald Road and then walking up to Loans. From there we walked back up to the reservoir but took the path on the opposite side round it. We were glad of the shade of the trees in the woods for the last part of the walk and were a bit weary by the time we were back at Malcolm’s having covered the eight miles in three and a half hours all in.

A comical hour was then spent at The Auchans where much-deserved refreshments were consumed.

Arrangements for 18th June

Ness Glen

Meet at the car park at the football ground (just as you enter Dalmellington) at 10am.

A shorter walk, avoiding the glen, will be available for those of a nervous disposition, or whatever. 

Some images from the Dundonald walk

 

Glasgow Canal Walk 4th June

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

Johnny, or rather Johnny’s phone, assured us that, despite heavy showers on the way up to Glasgow, the rain would be gone just after ten o’clock and it would be dry for the rest of the day. It was after half past ten when we left the Counting House, and ten minutes later the heavens opened! Taking shelter where we could, and digging out wet weather gear, we couldn’t help but notice that Rex had come unprepared for the rain. That being the case he indicated that he would go no further but wait for the rain to go off and return to the shelter of the city centre shops but would meet up with us for lunch later on. His minder for the day, Malcolm, decided he would also abandon the walk and keep Rex company.

The rain started to ease and by the time the rest had reached Speirs Wharf, it was off and jackets etc were removed as it turned into a fine day. Striding out past Firhill and down to Stockingford Junction we encountered the new, fancy footbridge which takes you across to where you can start the walk up to Kirkintilloch – remember that day? - and beyond. However, we continued to Maryhill Locks where the persistent heavy drizzle returned for twenty minutes or so. Soon we turned on to the Kelvin Walkway, past the recently demolished Wyndford flats, and down towards the Botanic Gardens. Some turned off across the first bridge whilst the rest continued to the Humpback bridge before crossing to the Gardens and, more importantly, the toilets. 

By this time, we were two distinct groups making our way eventually to Woodlands Road and to Wetherspoon’s (Hengler’s Circus) for lunch. Gus chose to head straight for his train rather than stay for lunch, but the rest enjoyed the food and drinks before leaving for their various modes of transport at quarter to three. From Wetherspoon’s to Wetherspoon’s it was the best part of eight miles in three hours and a good step-out, as they say. It rained heavily on the way home to Kilmarnock. Johnny is handing his phone back to Mickey Mouse!

Arrangements for 11th June

Smugglers Trail

Meet at Malcolm's house at 9.30am for coffee and scones. Walk to Troon, have FRT, and then take the bus back to Dundonald. 

Auchincruive and Rex's 80th 28th May

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

We were ready to set off at ten minutes to ten on a bright morning from the car park near the Bothy café at Auchincruive. Alan (the younger) led us on a circular route out through the estate before we emerged at Oswald’s bridge which is having its stonework repaired, a painstaking job for the stonemason. We stopped for a quick coffee at the Wallace and Burns monument before making our way along the riverside path and up to the Bothy café where most took the opportunity to have a coffee and a bun.

Since it was still quite early when we finished our snacks, it was decided to continue for another couple of miles and so we set off down the footpath towards Annbank before taking a left up a steepish track to join another one heading back the way. It was on this last leg when the path got narrower with a steep drop on one side that Allan and Davie got detached. Eventually they got themselves back down to the riverside path and answered Rex’s phone call to confirm that they were OK. The rest had stayed high, had come across a fawn by the path, and had reached the cars by this time, although some waited for the last two at the café.

It was quarter past one when the stragglers reached the cars having covered six miles in good walking conditions, with only a short, very light shower to contend with. No FRT today as we were heading for the Jewel in the evening to celebrate Rex’s eightieth birthday.

 

The thirteen above were joined by Billy and Derval Davie at the Jewel for what turned out to be a great night in celebration of Rex’s special birthday. Thanks again to Catriona and Lucy for attending to us so well and contributing to the night and to the table of four who came into the restaurant and seemed to enjoy the atmosphere. Indeed, one chap came over and congratulated Rex as he was leaving. In some way all contributed by just being there but mention must go to Gus for his presentation to Rex, to Derval Davie for his quiz regarding backing groups, to Wee Davie for his song in the Aussie dialect, to Alan for his words of friendship and thoughtful gift to Rex, a hard act to follow, to Rex himself for his words of thanks, to Allan’s daughter, Ainsley, for making the cake, and to Johnny for printing the words to the Ooters song. We wish Rex a happy birthday on the 29^th and suggest he doesn’t lose too much sleep over what to do with his 25p a week pension increase.

We then adjourned to Wetherspoon’s for our traditional night cap. The evening typified what the Ooters are all about i.e. good banter, laughs, and above all, camaraderie.

 

Arrangements for Wednesday 4th June

Glasgow Canal 

Meet at the Counting House in George Square at 10am for a walk alongside the canal.

Some images for the Auchincruive walk

 

Sorn to boardwalk 21 May

 

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

Nine Ooters assembled in the car park at Sorn on another glorious morning for our walk to the boardwalk along the River Ayr Way towards Muirkirk. Davie had indicated that he would start later and meet up with us on our way back, so we were on our way at five to ten and took the high path from the cars to the main road. Crossing over and finding the start to the trail, we made good progress and noted that the first boardwalk we came across had been recently repaired after some damage. Underfoot was dry after a month of sunshine and with the river to our right and fields of barley (we think) to our left we marched on commenting that the crops could do with some rain. And why did one field in particular have some large stones dotted across it? Answers on a postcard!

The stiff wee climb was negotiated and, before we knew it, we were at our stopping point i.e. the boardwalk overlooking the river. It was about ten past eleven by this time and although some took lunch most thought it too early and just made it a coffee stop.

There was a suggestion to extend the walk by an extra half mile but, in the end, all chose to simply retrace their steps from there. After about fifteen minutes and at the top of the hill we met Davie and Isla coming the other way, so the nine became ten and we made our way back along the path until a short stop at the bench by the river which allowed Isla to go for a swim. Nearing Sorn we diverted down to the Glenlogan bridge where we stopped by the river for lunch/drinks.

Most took the pavement route back to the cars which were reached at about quarter past one. The gizmos didn’t agree as to the length of the walk but a tad over seven miles would be about right. Not our longest walk but, given the hot weather, an appropriate distance for the day.

FRT was taken in the sitooterie at the Black Bull in Mauchline where we received our usual hospitality and were warmly greeted. Thanks again, folks. A pleasant hour was spent here before setting off for home.

 

Some from the River Ayr at Sorn

Alan's attempt to walk on water ends in failure.