Castle Semple and Howwood 12 May

Allan, Billy, Davie C, Dougie, Gus, Hugh, Ian, Jimmy, Johnny, Kenny T, Malcolm, Paul, Rex, Robert

We'll tak he high road ...

There was a light drizzle as we assembled at the car park at Castle Semple, but most chose not to don wet weather trousers in the hope that it would dry up. This walk is normally done in February and known as the ‘Snowdrop Walk’ but, being May, we christened it the 'Bluebell Walk’.’ Taking the loch side path, we soon reached the cycle path where most decided to go up through Parkhill Wood and past the collegiate church rather than simply walk down the path. Underfoot conditions were fine and soon we were all joined up again and heading for the folly on Kenmure Hill. Johnny, Robert and Ian took the path round the hill and had a coffee stop at the bench beside the globe whilst the rest went up to the folly and had a coffee. By this time, it had dried up, although the grass was a bit damp to sit on, so we remained standing whilst we had our break.

The 'Bluebell Walk'

We didn't go in today

Having reached the gate which leads you on to the road into Howwood, Kenny turned back as he had other plans, so thirteen of us walked into the village and promptly missed the turn off to the steps. By the time we realised this we were at another opening and rather than turn back we took a chance and found a path that took us up on to the road we had been seeking. Something to remember for the next time!

As we continued on the drag up the hill, the road being closed to cars due to re-surfacing work, the combination of the rising temperature and the effort of the climb led to layers coming off well before we reached Bowfield. We stopped for a few minutes here to make sure that everyone was present, especially Davie and Rex, although we knew that Gus was ahead of us and would be waiting at the sign for the path to Newton of Belltrees. Again, underfoot conditions here were better than expected and we made the road at the top of the hill in good time. Having reached our usual lunch spot it was decided that the grass was too wet to sit on, so we continued to Auchengrange House, the site of the snowdrops. Obviously, this not being February, there were none on view, so we didn’t delay and continued down the hill and back towards Lochwinnoch. There was some light rain by this time, but we decided to stop for lunch at the picnic benches at the RSPB site, and, although these were wet, we made the best of it and before long the sun had broken through again.

We were back at the cars by about half past one, having covered nine miles, where thoughts turned to the following week and the prospect of perhaps having some beer garden FRT.

Going up to Newton of Belltrees

 

Arrangements for Wed 19th May.

 Meet in the parking area beside the Gogo burn in Largs. Meet at 10.00a.m. The proposed walk is Knock Hill .

Cairn Table 5 May

Allan, Davie C, Davie Mc, Dougie, Hugh, Iain, Ian, Jimmy, Johnny, Malcolm, Paul, Rex, Robert

The car park at Kames was overflowing this morning as another walking party had made that their meeting point as well, although they were not for the hill. The morning was cold and, although bright, there were plenty of clouds heralding the possibility of wintry showers.

Setting off in good spirits, the Sanquhar bridge was made in good time, where some took the opportunity to remove a layer or two. The walk to the start of the climb was not too bad at all underfoot, although some concern was raised about how boggy it would be if we came down the track at the front of the hill. Being the first hill that some of the Ooters had done in a while, some view stops were called for before a quick coffee was taken at the wee cairn. It was getting colder as we gained height so some of the layers that had previously come off went back on again before the final push to the top. As we approached the summit there were pockets of snow lying and, in the distance, we could see snow on Arran and on the Galloway hills. By quarter to twelve all were seated having lunch, making sure that we were well protected from the biting cold wind. The views today were excellent with an uninterrupted all-round vista. Iain, who had previously been congratulated on reaching his seventieth, produced several boxes of apple pies to accompany our pieces and we thanked him for his gesture, although there was some criticism that he had not heated them up or had brought cream and some champagne to wash them down! Seriously though, thanks Iain.

As we sat, we encountered some light snow mixed with some hail, and, given how cold it was, we set off down the front of the hill just after twelve. A number of hail showers accompanied us on our way down, but as we got towards the bottom the temperature increased and, out of the wind, it was much more pleasant. Underfoot on the descent was surprisingly decent with only a few really wet bits to speak of. Making our way back to the cars we crossed the old Muirkirk Juniors football ground where Paul was able to give us a bit of its history. It only took us an hour to come down meaning that the total walk had taken almost exactly three hours. Cairn Table is about 1950ft with about 1200ft of and ascent from the car park.

This was a good start to the Ooters return to the hills although the ascent, and for some, the descent showed that some conditioning was still required. Nevertheless, this was a good day out and we were glad that the walk hadn’t taken longer as there was some horrible wintry weather encountered as we travelled back from Muirkirk to Kilmarnock. When your scribe got back to Irvine it was positively tropical by comparison!

Ladeside Park, Muirkirk Juniors. Abandoned in 1986

 

Arrangements for Wed 12th May.

 Meet beside the loch in Lochwinnoch at 10.00.a.m. The walk used to be called the Snowdrop walk  but this year we will call it the Bluebell Walk as this is more appropriate at this time of year.