Irvine to Barassie and 20th Anniversary Curry 27th August

Alan, Allan, Davie C, Davie Mc, Dougie, Gus, Hugh, Johnny, Malcolm, Paul, Rex

It was overcast as we met at Irvine beach park for our walk to Barassie, and, with rain forecast for between 10 and 2, we set off along the beach at a steady pace. There was plenty of firm sand with the tide being out, so even with walking into what breeze there was, the seats at Barassie were reached after an hour. Twenty-five minutes were spent here having a rest and, for some of us, having a snack. As we sat watching the Glen Sannox disappear towards the raincloud-covered Arran we couldn’t help but notice a fisherman in waders (we hope) casting his line out beyond some rocks and by the time we left, with the tide coming in, the water was well over his waist! The assembled company thought that his devotion to his sport was too much to say the least.

The walk back always seems longer but with the breeze behind us it again only took us an hour to get back to the cars, just as the rain began to fall. Six miles in all and we had won a watch with the weather.

 

In the evening, we gathered at The Jewel to celebrate the 20^th anniversary of the Ooters. The eleven above were joined by Alan McQ, Billy, Ian, Jimmy, Kenny T, Peter and Robert for the meal and it was great the original three, Derval Davie, Peter and Robert were there.. It was much appreciated that Peter could join us and that Ian had travelled down from Cumbernauld to celebrate the occasion. During the course of the night both Robert and Davie spoke about the origins of the group and what it has become to its members i.e. a source of exercise, camaraderie, banter, laughter, mental wellbeing, and mutual support. The words were well received. As always, Killie Davie led the company in some verses of the Ooters song to round the occasion off. Thanks again to Katrina and Lucy for their attentiveness. We all enjoyed the meal and will be back in October to celebrate the birthdays of Wee Davie and Malcolm. Most then adjourned to Wetherspoon’s for a wee nightcap.

An excellent evening! Let’s hope there will be many more celebrations to come.

 

Arrangements for 3rd September

Meet at Kames car park at 10am for a walk via Tibby's brig and the boardwalk to the former opencast site, now the big 'loch'. We''ll meet Derval Davie there and go round the loch before returning to Kames.

Logo information NOW on Ooters whatsapp chat.

 Check in with Rex if you are not on the whatsapp chat list,

Annbank Circular 20th August

 

 

Alan, Allan, Davie C, Davie Mc, Dougie, Graham, Gus, Hugh, Jimmy, Johnny, Malcolm, Paul, Rex, Robert

On reaching Annbank Bowling Club on another bright summer morning we were surprised to see new no parking signs, so, undaunted, we parked in the main street. We were to meet up with Derval Davie later which meant that a healthy number of Ooters, thirteen, set off down towards Privick Mill and then on to the River Ayr path, passing as we did, some recently planted young trees which would eventually form a wood or an orchard. The walk today gave us plenty of shelter from the sun due to the amount of tree cover and underfoot was dry, meaning that walking conditions were as good as we could get on this walk. Soon we reached the point where we could go high or go low. There was almost an even split with those taking the high route keen to avoid the section with the land slip. As it turned out, both groups arrived at the junction at the same time with the report that the land slip was relatively easily negotiated given the dry conditions.

Moving on we did not stop at any of the fishermen’s shelters for coffee but continued to the Tarholm Bridge before stopping for a break. For the next section we followed the path, and all stayed high when the path divided making good progress in the shaded conditions. About fifteen minutes from the Wallace and Burns monument, our lunch spot, we met Davie and Isla coming to meet us, making our numbers up to fourteen, the most we have had for a wee while. He had started later than the rest and walked in the anticlockwise direction to meet us. The final section includes the tricky wee descent down to the riverbank and then up to Oswald’s Bridge and by this time we were well strung out, but by twenty past twelve all were seated enjoying pieces and drinks.

Since we were doing the walk in a clockwise direction today, the walk back to the cars only took forty-five minutes and was straightforward although we had to negotiate round some large fallen trees, and, of course, there is the steady climb back up to the bowling club to contend with, just what you need after seven and a bit miles. The walk had taken three and a half hours, not a record time for this walk, but decent enough and with the ups and downs of the first part, it is a walk that gives you plenty of exercise.

FRT was taken at the very quiet Tap o’ the Brae where the barmaid didn’t seem that happy to see us, strange given the amount of money we gave her. Nonetheless, a merry time was had as usual.

Another guid day oot!

 

Arrangements for 27th August

Irvine to Barassie and back along the beach

A shorter walk because of the curry in the evening.

Meet at the large car park before the pilot house at Irvine beach park at 10am.