Knockroon, A Frame, Dumfries House 25th March

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

Our planned trip to Kames was, yet again, postponed due to a poor weather forecast, so we met at Knockroon on a morning which promised rain/sleet/snow/hail showers and a biting wind. We were well wrapped up as we left the car park and headed back towards Auchinleck with the idea to continue to the A frame and return via Dumfries House.

Davie however, in order to accommodate Isla, cut off to the path on the left to head for the Lugar Trail, and since compassion is the name of the game for the Ooters these days, Allan and Malcolm, being his designated carers for the day, went with him. They took the path, very muddy in some parts, up to the entrance to Dumfries House grounds and then checked where the others were. The main group had turned left on reaching Auchinleck, had looked in at the old kirkyard to have a look at Boswell’s mausoleum, and were continuing up Barony Road to have coffee at the A frame.

It was agreed that the other three would walk towards them, and this they did, hoping that they would meet the others before having to make the steep climb up the bing. No such luck though, and it was only a few minutes from the frame that they saw the guys coming down to meet them. From here all made their way back to the Woodland Shelter (our usual howff) for lunch. It is still locked but we spent a restful twenty minutes on the benches outside.

We had had only one small shower by this point but on the way from there to the underpass we had constant rain/hail, not that heavy, and with the wind behind us it was not an issue. The rain/hail having gone off, Davie and Isla returned to the car park the way they had come whilst the rest took the drier path up beside the Auchinleck Burn and then down the main road to the cars. We had been lucky with the weather as it had been much better than forecast, with lots of bright spells, and we had covered seven miles or so by the time the stragglers arrived back at ten to one.

Wee Davie, having been checked out with a spirit level, was passed fit to join us at the Black Bull in Mauchline. His new coat, and a lighter rucksack, seemed to have done the trick. Time will tell.

A jovial hour was spent at our favourite hostelry where we were treated to our usual hospitality in the form of sausage rolls. Thanks again, folks.

A guid day oot after all!

Some images from the Dumfries House walk

 

Arrangements for Wednesday 1st April

Loch Lapraik

Meet at Kames for another attempt at the walk to Loch Lapraik.

Seamill to Portencross 18th March

Allan, Davie C, Davie Mc, Graham, Gus, Hugh, Johnny, Kenny R, Malcolm, Paul, Rex

It was a glorious spring morning as we assembled at the car park for our walk to Portencross. So good that most had come with too many layers, given the weather we had encountered recently and it was not long before fleeces and jackets were shed. The walk to Portencross has been described many times before, the only things of note this time were that we came across a group of first year Bristol University geology students, resplendent in hi-vis jackets, examining rock formations on the beach before setting off for Arran later (good luck with that one!), and that we were surprised (one or two even excited) to see a lady strip off to her bathing costume and go for a swim in the cold water. Good for you, missus!

Reaching the castle at about twenty past eleven we had our coffee/lunch at our favoured spot before setting off on the return trip. Before long we were well strung out as usual, with those at the back narrowly being missed by a stray golf ball. Further on we met Alan Watson out walking his dogs and a few minutes were spent catching up with him before moving on.

By the time we came off the path beside the golf course and back on to the beach, and with the front markers in the distance, those at the tail stopped as wee Davie was ‘away to the side’ again and in a bit of distress. Various options were considered but, in the end, Johnny volunteered to carry Davie’s heavy rucksack (this may be the cause of his problems) and saunter with Davie straight up the adjoining road and gingerly walk back to the cars in the hope it would make it easier for Davie to walk on firm ground. The rest of us marched on with the promise that one of us, on reaching the cars, would drive to meet them and pick them up. Gus was first back of this group and without hesitation jumped in his car and went and picked them up at a bus stop where they had stopped to allow Davie to rest. Needless to say, that by the time Davie had his first pint, he was fine. Well done to both Johnny and Gus for their compasson!

It had been a good walk (seven miles in three hours and ten minutes, but who’s counting?) in excellent conditions and for some it had been a tiring day with the unexpected heat, too many clothes, and walking on the sand to contend with. FRT was taken at the Lauriston where a very pleasant hour was spent in the lounge bar relaxing after our exertions.

 

Arrangements for 25th March

 Meet at Kames at 10am for a walk to the new loch (Lapraik or Dalfram).

Failford and Curry 11th March

 

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

There had been heavy rain overnight and thundery showers earlier in the morning, so we were well kitted out with wet weather gear before setting off from Failford for the gorge walk. It was dry when we started with some blue skies and, other than a couple of brief light showers, it stayed dry and sunny all morning, the only downside being the cold wind which hit us on when we were on the higher, more exposed sections.

The walk itself is weel-kent, but to summarise, after the steep initial ascent of the steps we made our way up and down along the path, missing out a visit to Peden’s Pulpit today, and continued to the point where you can take the lower route down the steps or stay high. As usual there was a split, six staying high and the rest going low, but all got to the bench at the same time. There was a thought to have coffee and then turn back from there, but Derval Davie suggested walking on past Daldorch Farm and have coffee at the wooden bridge. ‘Twenty minutes,’ was the time quoted, but after twenty-five we were almost there when it was decided to turn back as it threatened to rain, so we returned to the bench for coffee/lunch.

It was here that we got spread out with some continuing up to the nearby steps for their stop, and a seat, and others eschewing (word of the day) lunch and carrying on walking. All took the higher path back to the cars with the back markers arriving back at twenty-five to one having covered nearly six miles. A decent walk which provided ample opportunity to get the heart racing, and we had got much better than anticipated weather and encountered underfoot conditions which, in the main, considering the recent weather, were not too bad.

No FRT today as we would be assembling later to celebrate Hugh’s 70th at the Jewel.

 

The thirteen above were joined by Billy, Graham, Kenny T, Malcolm, and Peter for a most enjoyable evening at the Jewel. Happy birthday when it comes next week, Hugh! Enjoy your wine! Thanks again to Katrina and Lucy for their attention, and to Hugh for buying our nightcap at Wetherspoon’s later on.

Another good night out!

Arrangements for Wednesday 18th March

Portencross

Meet at the usual car park north of Ardrossan at the usual time for the usual walk to Portencross with the usual guys and the usual inane banter.

Mare images fae the Failford walk

 

Some images of the walk along the River Ayr Way at Failford

 

Loudoun Castle 4th March

  

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

It was a fine, but chilly, morning as we assembled at Barrmill Park in Galston for the walk up to Loudoun Castle. Kay dropped Davie and Isla at the gates to the Castle estate as the walk up the main road wouldn’t suit the dog, and they waited as the rest walked towards them at a sensible speed. Alan was wearing his psychedelic sunglasses in the hope he wouldn’t be recognised passing Loudoun Academy, his former place of work, although he was advised not to worry as you are soon forgotten when you leave, allegedly.

Passing through the gates we walked along the driveway and up to the fenced-off remains of the castle and, having skirted around it, we continued on our way. It was difficult to process that there had been a theme park there not so very long ago. Anyway, we eventually left tarmac and took a path through the trees up to Woodhead. Our boots were muddy by this time, indicative of the fact that the path had been mucky in places, hardly surprising given the recent weather.

Emerging back on to the road, there was a discussion about which way to go next, indicative of the divergent aspirations of those involved these days. Go left and continue up the road, or go straight on, a shorter route that would be the quickest way down into Newmilns. The latter option won out, and we walked on for fifteen minutes or so until we stopped for coffee at the old bridge. From there it was a matter of walking down Huggin Craig Road and Borebrae down into the town turning right at Main Street and finding the footbridge over the River Irvine and making our way to Brown Street. Five of our number, Alan, Dougie, Gus, Hugh and Jimmy decided to veer left and go up Windyhill Road and get to Galston that way in order to extend the walk a bit, whilst the rest made their way on to the Strath path for the last leg back to the cars. By this time there was warmth in the sun, and we were beginning to perspire, indicative of too many layers, but the low path group were finished by quarter to one and took what was left of their pieces before heading off to the Black Bull in Darvel for FRT. The others, having taken lunch enroute were about half an hour behind them having done 7.2 miles, half a mile more than the Strath guys.

All reassembled in The Black Bull for refreshments where the sage of Derval introduced the word of the day, indicative, if you hadn’t already guessed. Whether this word will overtake fabulous, or even superb, remains to be seen. Nonetheless a jovial time was had indicative of the camaraderie of the group.

Next week’s word of the day? Suggestions on a postcard!

 

Some images from the Loudoun Castle walk