Cumbrae 30th July

 

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

The overcast sky was lifting and with the prospect of a fine day ahead eight of us got on the 9.45 ferry to Cumbrae slip. Davie and Hugh had gone AWOL, but to be honest, in true Ooters spirit, nobody seemed bothered. However, the two of them were waiting for us as we left the ferry. Whilst the rest of us were buying coffees or whatever, they had got on a ferry thinking it was the 9.45, but it was in fact the 9.30, there being two ferries on today. Explanation accepted.

Johnny wasn’t feeling that great, so the decision was to head clockwise along the shore road and then up Ferry Road. Blue skies were appearing, and it was getting warmer, so it wasn’t too long before layers were shed as we approached the turn off to the Glaid Stone. Rather than continue down to Millport, Johnny felt well enough to do the climb up the hill meaning that we all turned right and by ten to eleven we were seated at the trig point having coffee and enjoying the excellent views afforded by the Firth of Clyde.

The walk down to Millport was easy and, although it was still quite early, we decided on lunch at the Garrison with some taking their pieces in the gardens whilst others bought a lunch at the café. For the second visit running Dougie’s meal failed to appear, but after he had complained, it eventually came and with a refund which he kindly donated to the kitty.

By the time we were ready to move on it was getting overcast again and with an unusual amount of compassion being shown to Johnny, it was decided to take the short way back i.e. going via Ferry Road and arriving at the slip just in time for the 1.15 ferry, the wee one this time. We reckoned about seven miles today in good walking conditions.

FRT was taken in the beer garden at the Drouthy Neebors until spots of rain were felt and we moved inside to continue our chat. The rain had come to nothing and after an hour we headed for home. As for Johnny, he still managed to make it a tpd!