Darvel to Galston 19th November

Alan, Alan McQ, Allan, Davie C, Davie Mc, Dougie, Hugh, Jimmy, Johnny, Malcolm, Paul, Robert

We have to thank Kay and Davie for their hospitality in providing coffee and scones as we assembled in Darvel on a bright, crisp, cold, early winter’s morning. It was good to see Kay, despite her incapacity, and we wish her a speedy recovery from her broken leg. 

The plan was to walk to Galston and so we set off just after 10 o’clock along the riverside path. There were only a few icy patches on the path, although care had to be taken when negotiating them, and there were a few near misses regarding falling on one’s posterior, but, in the main, this was turning out to be a very pleasant walk indeed.

On reaching the far away entrance to Lanfine estate Davie and Isla turned up through the estate to return home from there whilst the rest continued to Newmilns.

Most were in favour of continuing on the path to Galston but Alan McQ, Dougie, Hugh, Jimmy and Paul wished to extend the walk and turned up Windyhill Road. Those who stayed low reached Galston about ten minutes to twelve just in time to get the bus back to Darvel and to take up Davie’s generous offer to allow us to have our lunch in the house. Thanks again, Davie. It was just after one o’clock when the Black Bull beckoned and drinks were consumed whilst awaiting the rest.

The five boys (remember the chocolate?) had left the tarmac and had gone through Cessnock wood adjacent to Burn Anne before emerging on to tarmac. They took a wee diversion to the cemetery to find the grave of Robert Stirling, local minister and inventor of the engine that carries his name, before deciding not to be wimps like the other group and walking back to Darvel along the riverside path arriving at the pub about ten past two. They had covered the best part of ten miles compared to the five of the others and all enjoyed the camaraderie of the group. The Black Bull itself was very quiet, and we wondered yet again how such establishments survive.

This had been a perfect day for a walk and the sun was just beginning to go down as we left for home.