Kilmarnock 28 December

Alan, Allan, Davie Mc, Dougie, Gus, Ian, Jimmy, Johnny, Kenny T, Paul, Robert… and Peter

The last Wednesday of the year saw us assemble at Robert’s for coffee and Christmas cake before partaking of our exercise. Many thanks to Robert and Kate for their hospitality! Too soon it was time to go, so we gathered ourselves together and headed up through Kay Park and on towards Dean Park on what was turning out to be a very pleasant morning. Our next stop was at Davie C’s house to visit the wee man. Good to see that he was in good spirits and was awaiting word for his new plaster which would hopefully make him a bit more mobile. We’ll see you again soon Davie. A Guid New Year to Janette and you!

We had a schedule to keep and so we were off again heading up through Dean Park, noting all the tree-felling that had taken place, and emerging at Assloss Road at the top end. Turning right off this road we took the underpass at the A77 and followed the Craufurdland Water until the footbridge at the ford. Crossing over, we followed Wardlaw Road before turning right and heading back towards Grassyards Road and Robert’s house. All in all, we had walked for the best part of two hours and had got the legs moving again.
Next stop was Wetherspoon’s for our proposed ‘planning meeting’. No sooner had we arrived than Peter joined us for the apres walk.  A nice lunch and a couple of beers later we had succeeded in planning what we would do next week! Still, it was a start, and a very convivial way to end the year.
A Happy and Healthy New Year to all our readers!

Answers to the quiz

1 At Loch Doon dam on the Ness Glen walk.

2 Walking down to Morton Castle on the Durisdeer to Morton Castle walk. The castle can just be made out on the exteme right of the picture.

3 The Deil's Back Door south of Muirkirk. An easy walk!

4 This is the one that I thought would stump you all. It is a walk we did from Pinwherry down the Stinchar Valley to Balantrae. Only been done once so far.

5 An auld favourite - The Greenock Cut

6 Over the hill on the Wanlockhead to Sanquhar walk.

7 Naw it's no' Whitelees, it's Windy Standard.

8 Getting our baerings at the start of the Ayrshire Coastal Path in Glen App.

9 A favourite picnic spot on the Gogo Glen walk abaove Largs.

10 Rothesay on one of the Bute walks to Kilchattan Bay.

11 A break on the walk from Lochranza to Sannox via Laggan Cottage.

12 The start of the Smugglers' Trail at Dundonald Caslte. The castle can be seen behind the trees.

13 Another in the Ness Glen. This is the wee footbridge at the bottom of the gorge when it was new.

14 Starting to climb Black Craig in Glen Afton on a March morning.

15 Arthur's Seat, Edinburgh

How well did you do?

0 - Numpty
1-5 You really need to get out more.
6-10 Apprentice Ooter
11 -14 Experienced Ooter.
15 Aye, you bribed the cameraman, didn't you!

Arrangements for Wed 4th January

Meet 10.00. a.m. in the car park on the left as you approach Dalmellington ( the old entrance to the open cast mine works) The walk will be along the hillside and down to the steam railway yard at Dunaskin before returning to the car park.
Wild weather forecast alternative meet at the Annbank bowling club for a walk along the river. 10.00.a.m.

Arrangements for Wed 28th Dec.

Meet Kay Park at 10.00a.m. for coffee. Depart around 10.30.a.m. to walk to Davy's for a wee visit of the invalid. Depart around 11.30.a.m to walk through the Dean Park ( be aware that some paths might be closed due to the felling of trees) ,exit the park onto Assloss road and follow this to the ford. Cross and continue to Grassyards road and back to Kay Park. ( 1hour 15min approx for this section )Use our house to change if necessary before continuing to Wetherspoons for lunch.

pictures from the Ashoka and the Oran Mor





The Panto: Alan S, Alan W, Allan, Dougie, Ian, Johnny, Kenny T, Malcolm, Rex, Robert

The Canal Walk: Davie Mc, Gus, Jimmy, Paul, Peter

The Curry: All above plus Jim

Apologies due to incapacitation: Davie C, Kenny R