Arrangements for Wednesday 2nd April

Meet at Kames at 10am. Walk to be decided on the day.

Girvan to Maidens 19th March

 

Alan McQ, Allan, Dougie, Graham, Gus, Hugh, Jimmy, Johnny, Malcolm, Rex

It was a beautiful morning as we met at Maidens for our bus to Girvan, but the breeze still had an edge to it meaning that hats, jackets and some gloves were still in play. The bus was five minutes late, but we were at Girvan Harbour before eleven o’clock and set off on our walk round the harbour and out to the golf course before eventually cutting through Girvan Mains farm to get to the path by the beach. At the farm we did notice a huge pile of tatties which, no doubt, were to be used to feed the cattle. The things you learn when you’re out with the Ooters!

Further along the path we chose to stop for coffee, a later stop than usual due to our later starting time. Soon we were off again and came to the cottage where a few could remember an altercation years ago with the lady owner who had ‘advised’ them that they should not be walking in front of the cottage but behind it. Today we found the diversion sign that told us to use the path along the field edge. No path though! The field had been planted with tatties so we had to walk between the rows before we could get on to the beach. Not a nice smooth one with hard sand, but one covered in pebbles, cobbles and boulders. Negotiating this was a challenge but after fifteen minutes or so the going got a bit easier. Underfoot was still taxing as the sandy surface was not too firm, but with the lighthouse at Turnberry in sight we ploughed on. The funny thing about the lighthouse was that although it had been in sight for some time it didn’t seem to be getting any closer! Anyway, lunch was called for, and although it was a quick lunch stop, we nevertheless enjoyed sitting down and admiring the view across the water.

As we approached Turnberry, and some very soft sand, we were unable to cross the Milton Burn so we retraced our steps for a hundred yards and found the path, which we probably should have taken in the first place, which takes you to a bridge over the burn. Decision time. To turn left and go back to the beach and walk up to the lighthouse, or go right, and to the main road and walk along the pavement all the way back to Maidens. There was no dissent when the latter option was chosen as we had had enough of walking on soft sand today. It is fair to say that hotel, the golf courses, and the surroundings were looking magnificent in the sunshine.

It was about half past two when the stragglers arrived back at the cars having covered the eight and a half miles (some said nine), in three and a half hours. For most of us this had been the first time we had done this walk and the challenging underfoot conditions meant that it wouldn’t be one we would necessarily rush to do again.

A much-deserved FRT was taken at the Balgarth where we could not be accommodated inside (it looked as though they wanted to keep the tables for those buying food) and hence we took up residence in the beer garden. We enjoyed our drinks, but it wasn’t too comfortable as it was just a tad too cold to be sitting outside. Anyway, the banter and the laughs rounded off a good, but challenging, day out.

                                         

 

Some images from the Girvan to Maidens walk

 

Arrangements for Wednesday 26th March

Cumbrae

Meet in Largs in time for the 10.15am sailing to Cumbrae. Route can be decided on the day. Wet weather alternative will be a walk from Largs to Fairlie and return.

Erskine Bridge to Clydebank 12th March

 

Alan McQ, Allan, Graham, Gus, Hugh, Johnny, Kenny R, Malcolm, Paul, Rex

It was a bright, cold morning as we met at Caulders Garden Centre at Erskine for a coffee before starting our ‘fish supper’ walk to Clydebank. Going over the Erskine Bridge we had a cold breeze to contend with as well as the incessant traffic noise but after half an hour we were down the other side and joining the canal path. Progress was good and by quarter to twelve we were all at McMonagles for our various tasty treats at the picnic tables in the sunshine.

It was twenty past twelve when we set off on the return leg and, as usual, we were strung out but re-assembled at the exit from the canal. On the climb back up to the bridge some of our members took a wrong path and had to retrace their steps, much to the pleasure of the few who had taken the right path after all.

The walk had taken three and a half hours for the nine miles or so and, with Kenny and Paul choosing to go straight home, the rest motored to the Kings Arms in Fenwick for FRT. A good day out yet again!