Ayr and Pool 21st January

Alan, Alan McQ, Allan, Davie C, Dougie, Graham, Gus, Ian, Rex, Robert

We met at Rex’s on a nice, dry morning and welcomed Ian who had come down form darkest North Lanarkshire to participate in our legendary pool competition. First things first though as we had a walk to do and, given the necessity to get the competition started reasonably early, a two-hour walk would suffice, so we set off down to the cycle track, through the tunnel bedecked with the murals, and continued down to Greenan. Passing above the castle we walked to the Millenium bridge and then turned right to go up to the wee roundabout at Parks’ garage and then straight up the road and back to Rex’s covering between five and five and a half miles in two hours exactly.

Rex had the pies on as soon as we got back and the competition proved, as always, to be good fun. Robert insisted that he got a mention for potting four balls in a row (some of them even his own) and mention also must be made of the fact that no balls ended up on the floor this year. There were some great shots and plenty of diabolical misses, but the final was keenly contested by last year’s winner, Robert, and Graham, with Graham winning out in the end. Well done to Graham! Indeed, well done to all for participating. And we were finished by half past two!

Thanks to Barbara and Rex for their hospitality and to Rex for arranging the pies (and, for some, it was a four-pie day).

An excellent day!

 

Arrangements for 28th January

Morning

Meet at Johnny's at 9.30 for coffee and delivery of food/drink for the evening. Walk to be decided on the day but probably Irvine beach to Barassie and back.

Burns Supper

Be at Johnny's from 6pm for a prompt start to the meal at 6.30. Hope to be finished by 10.30.

A Frame to Auchinleck House 14th January

 

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

Fifteen Ooters met at the A Frame on a dry, bright, chilly morning for a walk to Auchinleck House via Ochiltree. Despite the recent rain, underfoot conditions weren’t too bad on the first leg down to the Lugar Walk but in a couple of wee sections of the path some of the recent improvements had been washed away undoing the good work that had been done. Indeed, a length of narrow rope had been attached to trees to afford a ‘handrail’ on a tricky, muddy section. Nonetheless as said before, the path was generally fine, and the bridge at Ochiltree was reached after forty minutes or so.

Crossing the road, we went down the steps, passing the time of day with a couple who were having coffee at the bench, and walked on to the new path which avoids the necessity to cross over the wet grass on the fields. There is a steep climb on this new path but nothing to trouble the company and, in no time, we were at the road leading up to Boswell’s Coach House. Derval Davie decided that enough was enough for one day and turned back with Isla, whilst the rest continued up the road to sit at the steps in front of Auchinleck House for coffee/brunch.

There was some discussion about doing some more, but most decided to simply return from there so all set off back the way they had come. On reaching the new path, Dougie, who had to be home early, decided to go straight on up the road and Alan, Davie and Johnny accompanied him while the remaining ten retraced their steps down to Ochiltree and then back to the cars reaching them at ten to one having covered seven miles. Not the biggest walk we do but with plenty of ups and downs enough to get the legs well stretched. Davie and Isla had only just arrived back whilst the road walkers had been there for around twenty minutes having done six miles.

It was a lot milder by this time and, with rain threatened later, we set off for our favourite pub, the Black Bull in Mauchline where Gillian was on duty today and treated us, as usual, to sausage rolls. Thanks again, much appreciated! A good hour and a bit having been spent here, we set off for home, just in time for the first spots of rain to appear. We had got the best of the weather and had enjoyed our day out.

Some from the A Frame to Auchinleck House walk.

 

Arrangements for Wednesday 21st January

Pool Competition 

Meet at Rex's at 10am.

We can decide on a suitable walk on the day to be followed by our annual pool competition in which our current champion Robert will be defending his title.

Annbank 7th January

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

The previous days had been really cold with temperatures not rising much above zero during the day and, although not as cold, there was a biting breeze as we assembled in Annbank. Derval Davie said he was just going to do the anticlockwise route to the Wallace and Bruce monument and come back the same way and was joined for company by Alan, Allan, Johnny and Robert while the rest chose to go in the longer clockwise direction.

The five made good progress in nice walking conditions, particularly when sheltered from the breeze, and encountered better than expected underfoot conditions with not too many muddy sections enabling them to reach the monument after fifty minutes. Coffee was taken during which Alan suggested continuing on a path down the river for a bit just to extend the walk. This was agreed on the understanding that it would not be too far as they were keen that Davie didn’t suffer too much discomfort with his back. This path was new to most but after ten minutes or so they decided that it was time to turn back and head to the monument and then up to Oswald House. From there they passed by the café and then took the high path back to the cars arriving back at quarter to one. On checking the internet to make sure it was open, they made the short journey down to the Tap o’ the Brae to await the magnificent? seven. Jings and crivens!, the pub was shut and, with no signs of it opening soon, a decision was taken to motor to the Black Bull in Mauchline. Robert managed to contact Rex and tell him of the plan and was informed that they were still at the monument. The five boys, arrived at the pub just after one and were, as usual, welcomed with open arms by Karen, the barmaid, and then settled in for a cosy wait.

The larger group had, as had been expected, experienced some mud on their journey and had also witnessed a cow somersaulting down a field much to its injury, true or was it just bullshit? Anyway, they had lunch at the monument before taking the shorter route back to their cars having covered seven and a half miles, two miles more than the others. It was two o’clock before they arrived at the Black Bull and all then relaxed there until quarter past three. We were treated today not just with sausage rolls, but mince pies and Quality Street sweets as well. Many thanks again to Karen.

A good start to the year and we hope that Hugh’s knee (he had fallen on an icy pavement before leaving Kilmarnock in the morning) recovers soon.

 

A couple more from the shorter Annbank walk

Some from the Annbank walk