20 January, Gogo Water. - Kenny R's photos

Glasgow Central Station tours

l looked at combineing a tour of the station with the proposed visit to the City Chambers next week. The tickets cost £13 and the tour lasts in total about one hour. Unfortunately the times available and the number of places available do not suit. The tour looks excellent and I think most Ooters would enjoy it. We can identify those interested and book for another time. Have a look at the website for further info.

Corsencon - 13 January

O were I on Parnassus hill, 

Or had of Helicon my fill, 

That I might catch poetic skill 

To sing how dear I love thee! 

But Nith maun be my muse's well, 

My muse maun be thy bonnie sel'; 

On Corsincon I'll glower and spell, 

And write how dear I love thee. Robert Burns

Kenny R, Kenny T, Jim, Robert, Paul, Davie C, Davie M, Rex, Gus, Alan and Malcolm (despite disinformation from certain quarters).
There haven’t been many opportunities this season to enjoy a proper winter’s day, but today we struck lucky.

Many of us had already spotted snow on Corsencon as we headed towards our assembly point in Cumnock, where the car park had a thin glaze of ice and a smattering of hail. There was just time enough to construct a slide in the car park before we set off for New Cumnock.

Mansfield Road, the long road out from Pathhead, was treacherous with black ice, but fortunately the grass verge provided a sounder footing. On our previous expedition we had stopped for coffee at the water filter serving Glen Farm, so no discussion was necessary on our second outing. We were now above the snow line so Rex donned his Yak Trax © and with caffeine levels topped up, immediately moved into overdrive as we recommenced our long ascent. In fact, the fresh snow on the road made the walking much easier for everyone.

We took a peak at the kilns of the old Craigdullyeart Lime Works, attractively embellished by the contents of a ripped-out kitchen, and in no time we were ready to leave the tarmac to begin our ascent of the hill itself. It was observed that no trace remained of the coal conveyor.

There was now proper snow underfoot and we were grateful to Gus for leading the way and creating footings for those in his train.  In hollows, the snow was a good foot deep. The trig point at 1547 feet was soon reached and we lingered on the summit of Corsencon to admire the view and pose for the official photograph.

On our first visit we had made a very steep descent, but this time we followed more gentle contours with just a short steep section near the foot of the hill. At the foot, an extremely high fence topped by barbed wire (so that’s why you offered to write the blog. Ed.) blocked our path and Paul eventually admitted defeat, but 50 yards further on was able to step over that same fence.

As before, we stopped for lunch at the mobile phone mast.

The return to New Cumnock was far easier than the way out since the roads had been gritted. We did, however, manage to leave Alan behind as he stopped for whatever he had to stop for. Someone with an ability to count beyond 10 realised we’d lost one of our number and glanced back.

“What’s Alan doing back there?”, he asked.

“Trying to catch up”, came the reply.

And on we went.

Just as Alan was about to bridge the gap, a car which had passed us earlier returned and drew up alongside Alan. The window was wound down and something about viewing puppies was discussed with the two women in the car.

FRT was taken at the Black Bull in Mauchline. By this time the rain which had been forecast had started.

For once the weather gods had smiled on us.

Corsencone Hill, 13 January.

Hurlford to Galston and back 6 January

Alan McQ, Allan, Davie C, Davie Mc, Gus, Ian, Jimmy, Johnny, Kenny R, Malcolm, Paul, Peter, Rex, Robert

We welcomed Alan McQuiston to the group today, just to show him what he has got to look forward to. Unfortunately, he would have matters educational to attend to on a Wednesday for the foreseeable future.

The weather was dull and overcast but, given the rains of the last few days and weeks, we were glad it was dry for our walk up to Galston and back. Following the Grougar path from our meeting point at the bowling club, we followed the river up to Milton Road where we turned and headed for Loudoun Kirk. It had been decided that we would stick to tarmac as far as possible today so we ignored the cross-country shortcut and stayed on the road until the Kirk, where coffee was called for. Robert provided Christmas cake and a dram for us whilst Jimmy supplied shortbread. Well done, and thanks, guys!

No Peter, you can't leave the room!

and now with our resident scribe

Davie Mc left before the rest of us as he was dropping off Holly with Kay in Galston but we weren’t far behind, again staying on the road as far as the main road and the entrance to Loudoun Castle. Turning right here we headed into downtown Galston and continued up to Grant’s haggis factory before turning on to the Chris Hoy Way and heading towards Hurlford. Further down the path we teamed up with Davie who was waiting patiently? for us. We stayed on the path right into Hurlford, again ignoring our usual shortcut across open ground.

We were back at the cars three hours after having set off and, other than some slight moisture in the air when we left Loudoun Kirk, we had got it dry, In fact, on the Chris Hoy Way jackets were removed, so mild it was.

FRT and lunch was taken at Wetherspoon’s in Kilmarnock where we managed to confuse the bar staff with our lunch order. Well done to them, however, for recognising that we had overpaid and giving us a refund. Another very convivial time was spent here!

Anyone for chicken strips?