Castle Semple and Howwood 21 February

Alan, Allan, Davie C, Davie Mc, Dougie, Gus, Jim, Johnny, Kenny R, Kenny T, Malcolm, Rex, Robert

The route followed today was exactly the same as reported on the walk of 8^th February 2016.
The weather was calm and dry as we made our way to the Collegiate Church and back on to the cycle track. Kenny R had to return to his car at this point as he had child-minding issues to attend to, so we bade him farewell and made our way, at least some of us did, up to the folly whilst the rest stayed low and partook of coffee at the ‘globe’.

Robert comes down from the temple

Enjoying the peace, and the piece!

Making our way into Howwood, some of us took the opportunity to reduce the layers before the climb up the steps and onwards to Bowfield Country Club. The temperature had risen a few degrees and the sun was trying to come out by this time, as we turned right, went down the hill a bit, and went left, following the new signage to Newton of Belltrees and Lochwinnoch. At least most of us did! Wee Davie and Rex were too busy talking to notice the sign and, since, as usual, we were all spread out, they continued on their merry way down the hill. The first part of the ‘proper’ route was wet and muddy, but soon the dry, harder surface was found and the walk towards Belltrees was pleasant. Being creatures of habit, we lunched beside the road at our usual spot realising, only then, that we were two down.
Contact was made by mobile phone where it was discovered that the deadly duo had reached the main road, A737, but since it was inadvisable to walk along this busy road, they would make their way back to the big roundabout by traversing some fields. Sounds a simple plan, doesn’t it?
Having finished lunch, the main party strolled up to Auchengrange House to admire the snowdrops before going down to the roundabout and heading back to the cars and meeting Kenny R who had brought his grandson with him. Three hours and thirty-three minutes claimed our timekeeper, and just over nine miles.
Now, we had fully expected that Davie and Rex would be there to greet us, but when contact was made, we realised they were still a good bit away. When we had changed and were ready for FRT, Robert decided to drive back up the road and see if he could pick them up. Ten minutes later he returned with a slightly traumatised pair in the car with him. Walking across the fields they had encountered wet, muddy conditions with high fences and hedges blocking their path. Not to be recommended in future! And they hadn’t even stopped for lunch.
The Brown Bull was our chosen hostelry where Alan, belatedly, was presented with his trophy for winning the pool competition.
A good day out for ten of us. A challenging day out for the other two!
And the moral of the story? Stick together on the walk!

G'on yersel, Alan

Semple Trail, 16 March

Alan, Davie C, Davie Mc, Gus, Ian, Jimmy, Kenny R, Kenny T, Rex, Robert.

It was a bit grey when we met at Castle Semple car park in plenty time for a 10am start. Setting off along the lochside, our first stop was at some carved trees, similar idea to the ones in New Lanark but not quite as ornate. After a few photos, we headed up into Parkhill Wood as an alternative to the cycle track.

The path climbed a wee bit and just before the Collegiate Church we came across a small group of brown and white calves.  Those of us with a little knowledge of matters bovine decided they were called Herefords. On closer inspection of their ear tags, most of them were called Sandra or Annette.

Inscriptions were read and photos were taken at the church. Coffee break? Not today. Kenny T had greater. global plans.

We followed the cycle track for a short distance and then went off-road again taking the path towards the Temple on the hill but instead of going up the hill we followed the path round and had a well earned coffee break on the seats at the sculpture of a globe.

A muddy path led us along the side of the Black Cart and then to a road into the village of Howwood. Following the signposts to Newton of Belltrees, we climbed up up up out of Howwood before heading off-road again.

There was some discussion of where to have lunch and Robert the Usurper announced that he would find a suitable spot. A suitable spot was found on a grassy bank. Last of the Summer Wine.

It was downhill all the way now, well the trend was downhill. To keep spirits up, wondrous tales of masses of snowdrops were spun. "Where are they?". "Are we at them yet?". "That's no all that many". "Aye that's quite a lot". "Aw look at that". "They're no very symmetrical!". That's galanthus nivalus for  you.

It now really was downhill all the way back to the cars crossing the A737 and then pavements and paths.

FRT was at the Brown Bull where some fine ales and cloudy cider were sampled.

Distance 14.9km

Walking time 2h 53min

Height of climbing 192m

Lochwinnoch 2 September

Alan, Allan, Davie C, Davie Mc, Gus, Jimmy, Johnny, Rex, Robert

A folly good show!

Jimmy and Rex had brought their bikes so they set off along the cycle track towards Paisley and on to Pollok Park, whilst the rest of us took to foot along the same track. The weather was ideal: dry, reasonably bright, warm in the sunshine (but not too warm), and little wind, so progress was good with the first stop for coffee at the Temple (or folly) on Kenmure Hill. Here Davie, the biologist, found a dead bird of prey and decided to take the ringed feet to the RSPB centre later in the day for identification.

Looking back at Castle Semple Loch

Through the rather large keyhole

Rejoining the track, and avoiding the multitude of cyclists, we headed towards our usual lunch stop at the bridge on the outskirts of Kilbarchan. Robert turned back before then as he had a family engagement to attend prior to him departing for Denver in the morning. We wished him a good holiday and reminded him to take his bus pass. There were tears in our eyes as we saw him walk back alone to his car - he had not left his fiver for the kitty!!

The return journey was uneventful, but we did notice that the wee Collegiate Church, a sometime coffee stop, was fenced off. The Visitors Centre, was reached at bang on one thirty, the agreed time to meet the cyclists. However, it was another twenty minutes or so before they arrived, not a problem since the pleasant afternoon sunshine gave us ample opportunity for a leisurely blether and to watch a couple of bus loads of college students try their hands out on kayaks, or was it canoes?

FRT was taken in the Brown Bull where, as well as other things being discussed, we reminisced about Kilmarnock’s exploits in Europe. For info: Eintracht was in season 64-65, Real Madrid was in 65-66, Leeds was in 66-67 (semi-final of Fairs Cup), Shelbourne was in 97-98 and Kaiserslautern was in 99-00. Full details can be got by googling ‘Kilmarnock FC in European football’.

Another successful day out!

I had a bike like this when I was a boy!

Castle Semple 20 March

Allan, Andy, Davie C, Ian, Malcolm, Paul, Rex, Ronnie, Robert

Walk for an hour and a half and then return, or cycle for an hour and a half and then return. What could possibly go wrong?  Unless, of course, you belong to a certain band of retired, professional  gentlemen, where anything is possible.

We met at the car park adjacent to the Visitors' Centre on a dry but cold morning and the decision was quickly made to avail ourselves of a coffee in the café before setting out. As always, the staff were very friendly and accommodating and it was 10.45 before we dragged ourselves back outside.

Paul, Rex and Ronnie set off on their bikes with the instruction to meet back at the Centre at 2pm, giving ample time for a lunch break.

The remainder started off down the cycle track and once in the shelter of the banking on either side of the path, the walking conditions became very good, as long as you were wrapped up. A stop was made at the ruins of the old (gothic?) church before returning to the track and continuing to Fred Flintstone’s bike for a photo shoot. Despite the cold conditions the path was very busy with walkers and cyclists alike.

Lunch was taken on the outskirts of Kilbarchan before the return leg was started. It was when we, the walkers, were within 15 minutes of the Centre that we received a phone call from Rex to say the cyclists would be half an hour late. What would we do? Go straight to the Corner Bar or go back into the café to wait for the cyclists? Strangely enough, the café won the day and cups of hot chocolate were gratefully consumed. 45 minutes later there was still no sign of the three musketeers so we, not for the first time today, uttered the motto and set off for the Corner Bar. However, as we were leaving, Rex came into view followed by the rest of the peleton.

Having got ensconced in the lounge, hold your breath, not the usual one but the one next door, the story of the bikers was related. As we had suspected, they had decided to go as far as Pollok Park before returning. This made their journey much longer than that agreed and for disobeying orders each was given a written warning as to his future conduct. Paul received his standing up as the last few miles had made their mark on his posterior, saying nothing about the minor collision he and Ronnie had had.

Thanks to Malcolm who bought the first round to celebrate the birth of granddaughter Ebay Yvie, and to the staff of the Corner Bar who made us most welcome and provided us with ample quantities of biscuits and cheese. We will be back.

Not the Hill of Stake ... for the umpteenth time 23 Nov

Allan, Andy, Davie, Davie, Ian, Johnny, Malcolm, Paul, Rex, Robert

It was chucking it down as we arrived at the Visitors' Centre at Muirshiel for the proposed ascent of the Hill of Stake. Some of us had arrived on time but others i.e. the Kilmarnock car driven by Ian and navigated by Robert were late - not for the first time recently I may add. Having missed a turn off they managed to get bogged down in a verge – you couldn’t make it up!

Given the weather, even the alternative lower level walk was out of the question given overhead and underfoot condition so we adjourned to the Visitors Centre at Castle Semple Loch to take stock.

Coffee and buns were duly consumed and, before we got far too comfortable (and much too excited after having drooled over Johnny’s pictures of his foundations – and they can’t touch you for it!), Robert, who else?, announced that we were going for a walk.

Therefore at 10.55 we set off down the cycle path towards Kilbarchan. This brought back somewhat sore memories of the cycle to Pollok Park a couple of years ago – a trip maybe to be repeated in better weather. The rain had moderated by this time and was in our back anyway as we made good progress (guess who was in the front!) along the well maintained path. After about an hour it was decided that we should turn around and retrace our steps. Again progress was good even into the rain until Johnny decided, within sight of the Visitors Centre, that we should deviate from the high path and take the lower one beside the loch. Bad move! We were in and out of puddles (good one Jimmy!) for the quarter mile back to the cars arriving at 12.50.

Use was made of the changing facilities in the Centre to get into dry clothes and we were made most welcome to bring our packed lunches inside. Every cloud…, as they say. Thanks to the staff there for being so hospitable!

We got soaked running the 50yds back to cars for the short journey up to the pub on the corner. Here, Ian graciously presented Rex with the Mosset trophy. Rex, in bouleish mood, accepted in typical Aussie way by suggesting that it had been far too easy. Next year there will be no Aussie rules boules – Johnny will make up the rules!