Portencross 5th November

Alan, Alan McQ, Allan, Davie C, Dougie, Graham, Gus, Hugh, Johnny, Paul, Rex

For the second week running it was pouring as we met, and the forecast indicated that there would be no let-up until early afternoon. There was no dissent to the notion that we would avoid Goldenberry Hill and simply do the weel-kent circular walk in the clockwise direction. Leaving the car park at Portencross and passing by the castle, the first section across the field was the wettest part underfoot and, with no shelter, it was a task to keep the umbrellas under control in the stiff breeze, but soon we were on tarmac at the power station. 

Marching on in the very dreich conditions, we eventually turned off the road onto the path which starts our return journey, and we stopped at the stones, our usual coffee spot. Not today however, as there was no shelter there, so we continued along the bridle path until we had some tree cover, and we took a break there. It was not a day to linger so we continued to the main road and then turned back towards Thirdpart passing some miserable looking cattle and a llama, or perhaps an alpaca*, in the fields. The final leg down Portencross Road is always a slog but, after being well-strung out, we were all back at the cars by quarter to one having done 7.3 miles.

Getting changed when it is raining is always a challenge but thankfully it began to ease and by the time we had had our pieces it was off, just in time to make our way to the Lauriston. Jings and crivens, help ma boab! The Sports bar, our usual haunt, was closed and was not to open until four o’clock but the lounge bar was empty, and we made ourselves comfortable there for an hour and a half. The walk had been miserable, but we had done our steps for the day and enjoyed our refreshments as well as the usual banter in the hotel where we treated ourselves to chips. 

For those who weren’t present, here is a teaser: If the answer is 50%, what is the question? 

*Alpacas are smaller, gentler animals with soft fleece prized for textiles, while llamas are larger, have a coarser double coat, and are often used as pack animals due to their protective and independent nature. Key differences include their size (llamas are significantly larger), face shape (alpacas have blunt faces and short ears, llamas have longer faces and longer, "banana-shaped" ears), and fibre quality.