Failford to Gadgirth Bridge 12 June

Allan, Davie Mc, Dougie, Gus, Hugh, Ian, Jimmy, Johnny, Malcolm, Paul, Peter

Whilst our six ASHA members were away in Fife, eleven of us met up at Failford on a dry morning. There was a cool breeze at our starting point but, once under way (and, as we were all present, we set off ten minutes early), we were sheltered, meaning that walking conditions were good, particularly as parts of the track had been recently strimmed.

We started off as a group, following our accustomed route along the River Ayr Walkway but, on reaching the path to Peden’s Pulpit, Jimmy led a few to see it, whilst the rest continued on the main path. On reaching the steps down to the low-level path Davie couldn’t resist the temptation, whilst the rest, including Holly, made their way up to the bench to await the others. Davie arrived seconds later stating it was 111 steps up from the bottom (Nelson in cricket terms), but it took those who had gone to see the pulpit a wee bit longer to catch up as they had tried to come straight up the banking, realised that this was not achievable, and had gone back down to catch the path the rest had taken. As far as the bench is concerned, Ian had told us on the way to it that he had taken his wife, no, not Tracey, on the walk a week or two back and had been surprised to see that the bench had disappeared. But today, there it was, where it always had been, and showing absolutely no signs of removal. Ian was mystified and, as could be expected, was ribbed by the rest of us about where he had actually been, and with whom! All these sunshine holidays must be having an effect!
Anyway, we marched on from there, ignoring the diversion at Daldorch, and followed the riverside path towards Stair. The tricky bits caused by landslips were relatively easily negotiated, with Hugh recognising one a group of three walkers coming in the opposite direction, and our coffee stop at the weir was reached at about half past eleven.
Crossing the road, we made our way through the honing works (The Tam o’ Shanter Honing Works as we were reminded by Davie) and joined the path alongside fields of what we think was barley which took us to Enterkine Viaduct and Gadgirth Bridge. Lunch was taken at our usual spot beside the river whilst we contemplated that it had taken us the best part of two and a half hours to cover the five and a half miles to get there.
Decisions, decisions! To go back the way we had come (the shorter quicker way according to the sage from Darvel), or go up the road to Enterkine House and return that way to Daldorch. In the event, Jimmy, Paul, Gus, Dougie and Hugh took the latter route, whilst the rest, and Holly, retraced their steps. This group stopped at the weir again to allow Johnny and Peter to catch up before making their way to the signpost at the diversion at Daldorch in the expectation of having to wait for the other group. Whilst waiting it was noticed that Holly was missing, so some time was spent looking for her before we got a call from Jimmy. His group were actually ahead of us, having made good time on the tarmac, and Holly (no doubt having sniffed them!) had caught up with them. By the time we reassembled back at Ian’s bench the quicker group had been there for about ten minutes and, after a short breather, we marched on taking the slightly shorter, higher path back to Failford.
Five hours and eleven miles were today’s numbers, and, for many of us, it felt like it! It was just as well that there had been no rain as Dougie discovered, on arriving back at his car, that he had left his shoes where he had taken them off  i.e. on the tarmac next to his car! It’s coming to us all!
The Faiford Inn is still closed, although there is a sign in the window stating that it is opening soon, so the Black Bull in Mauchline was our venue for FRT, and where some weary Ooters spent a good hour.
Footnote
It was Neil Simpson who crocked Ian Durrant on 8^th October 1988. If you check it out on-line, it was a horrendous tackle.

Good to have Peter with us again

The Ayrshire countryside

Who's going to give me a bit of their piece?

22 August, Failford to Gadgirth Bridge and back

Distance 16.4 kms

A large assembly of Ooters (only Rex and Jimmy failing to report for duty) were joined by Eddie for this walk. The forecast was not promising, with heavy showers expected - indeed, the TV weather map, the previous evening, had shown a big circle of rain sitting above Mossblown for much of the day.

Rev McMeekin sees a sign!

Within ten minutes of setting off we were sheltering under a convenient tree, donning our waterproofs, as we were assailed by a heavy shower.  But this turned out to be the only shower of the day!

The short detour to Peden's Cave was made and Big Davie mounted the steps and preached to the assembled faithful below. It's to be hoped Peden got a more respectful hearing than Davie did.

It is said Peden preached his last sermon from here. He made 5 predictions - his first was "a bloody Sword, a bloody Sword, a bloody Sword for thee, O Scotland, that shall pierce the Hearts of many."
By contrast, the other four predictions were a bit gloomy.

Continuing the walk, we got to the edge of Coilsholm Wood and halted for a short coffee break. Pressing on, we were met by a notice which informed us the River Ayr Way was closed between this point and Stair. A diversion was shown around the back of Daldorch. We debated the merits of ignoring the notice, then we persuaded Peter that it didn't mean Daldorch outside Catrine. The notice's instructions were obeyed and we headed off across fields, round the back of the farm and through a field full of inquisitive bullocks.

Lazin' on a sunny afternoon

Reaching the B730 we chose not to descend into Stair and rejoin the riverside walk, because Paul knew another route. This took us past Enterkine Mill, once a watermill for grinding corn, and now an attractively converted dwelling. Next up was Enterkine Country House Hotel, a haunt of the rich, the famous and Ian.

Footpath needs maintenance!

By this time we had two detached Ooters - Ronnie and Peter. We reckoned they might have found something to talk about. We waited, and waited some more, but when eventually they were spotted  in the distance we didn't wait any longer.

A short downhill road walk took us to Gadgirth Bridge and our lunch spot. And a fine spot it was, a sunlit bank of the River Ayr. Ronnie and Peter eventually arrived, complete with a "Just Married" sign  so we wished them well.

There wis hunners o' scuddin' stanes lyin' aboot an' Ian wis awfy guid at skippin' 'em ower the watter.

We headed back alongside the river, under the Enterkine Viaduct. This stretch was badly overgrown and several of the wooden walkways are starting to fall apart. The path eventually turns at 90 degrees from the river and it was under water which had drained into it from surrounding fields.  Black marks to South Ayrshire Council.

By this time we had again lost our two newly w stragglers. We waited a while but there was no sign of them so the Ooters' motto became operational.  As we reached the main road, who should be walking up the hill from Stair but the aforementioned stragglers. They had continued along the river at the point the path turned.

Another debate ensued. Retrace our footsteps, following the diversion? Follow the river?  

There was a schism.

A dissident group, including your scribe, set off for the river. There had been a substantial landslip but the dissidents negotiated it easily.  Heading back towards Daldorch the conformists were spotted on the skyline. As they entered the field above the farm the bullocks showed a great deal of interest in them, especially Holly. As you might expect, the dissidents expressed concern for the plight of the conformists.

Back in Coilsholm Wood, Johnny and Holly chose to charge ahead so it came as a surprise to the rest that there was no sign of them back in Failford. They eventually arrived separately and Holly was ticked off for not taking care of Johnny.

Refreshments were taken in the beer garden of the Failford Inn. Paul (birth of grandson) and wee Davie (first anniversary) bought the first round and must have blanched visibly when they saw that Peroni was on tap.

A good varied walk, mainly in sunshine ... but South Ayrshire Council needs to get its act together.