Prestwick to Troon 19th February

Alan, Alan McQ, Allan, Davie C, Davie Mc, Dougie, Graham, Gus, Hugh, Johnny, Kenny R, Malcolm, Paul, Rex, Robert

A grand total of fifteen Ooters turned up for our walk from Prestwick to Troon and back. The weather was overcast and cold, so we were keen to get going, but as usual, there was a split as we left the car park with Derval Davie, Alan McQ and Paul choosing to walk along the beach whilst the rest took to the path alongside the golf course. The threesome rejoined the main group at the caravan park, and all headed down beside the Pow Burn and on to the shore. Derval Davie is still in recovery mode and was surprised that the guys, who were well strung out by this time, paused and allowed him to catch up. Who said compassion was dead? Having Indicated that he would walk a bit further, he did well to cover the distance he eventually did before he and Isla turned back. In any case, going back along the beach suited Isla much better.

Our coffee spot, as is the norm, was the benches at the kiosk and toilets in Troon. Robert was towards the tail end of the group and the benches were already occupied by the others, including our ‘younger’ members, when he arrived. On seeing this he shouted, ‘Are you not going to get up and give an old man a seat?’ Of course, he was ignored, except for a man on another bench who rather indignantly got up and walked away. ‘I didn’t mean you,’ said Robert, but to no avail. Boab, the diplomat, had struck again!

Having taken coffee and having worked out how to have umpteen Ooters use the toilets for the price of one, we set off on the return leg, not along the beach but along the path to the golf club, and then taking the option of going  along the path over the golf course rather than heading up the road and over the road bridge and onto the cycle path. By this time we were into a stiff breeze, but the light rain we had encountered as we sat for coffee had come to nothing and the course was not busy so we were easily able to cross over the fairway at the Smugglers’ Trail, over the footbridge at the railway, and on to the cycle track where there was some shelter from the breeze.

In the past lunch has been taken at this point, but not today, as the front runners marched on, along the track, over the golf course at Prestwick, and back to the cars arriving at one o’clock, having covered about seven and a half miles. Lunch was taken at the cars before setting off for Wetherspoon’s. We’d had a good walk with only a couple of light showers to contend with and, after a bit of furniture shifting, fourteen of us managed to get seated together for a convivial hour and a half in the Pioneer.

Happy days!

P.S. Apologies for the lack of pictures.

 

Arrangements for Wednesday 26th February

Darvel to Galston

Meet at the square in Darvel at 10am for a walk to Galston via the Lanfine Estate (option of a higher route via the Gallowlaw Cairn).

Catrine to Auchinleck House 12th February

 

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

It was a cold, raw, overcast morning as we met at the square in Catrine, and it was good to see Peter who came out to have a blether with us before we set off. Derval Davie joined us on a Wednesday walk for the first time in a number of months although he was not going to complete the whole walk. Nevertheless, it was good to see Isla!

The first section took us along the weel-kent riverside path up to the steep steps where Davie turned back to his car promising/threatening to meet up with us again as we approached the big house. After having taken coffee at our usual spot under the Howford Bridge we made our way down to the old road before taking a left up the hill passing some tree-fellers. Not only were there three fellows, but they were cutting broken trees. The effects of the recent storm were very visible today with many a large tree on its side and evidence where they had been cut to keep the paths and roads open. Anyway, at the top of the hill we turned right and at the bend in the road we went straight on underneath the railway bridge towards Auchinleck House and a few hundred yards up the road we met Davie and Isla who had walked down to meet us.  By this time, we were beginning to remember doing this walk a good few years ago especially as we arrived at the entrance to the Gorge Walk. Most took this option, but Davie C and his minder, Johnny, took the more direct route straight on to Boswell’s Coach House.

The main group met two ladies coming in the opposite direction who recognised us as the Early Ooters from posts on Facebook, and meeting us in the flesh didn’t seem to spoil their day out. The old bridge was guarded by a fallen tree. Normally there is a sign denying access, a sign we have often ignored in the past, but not today, as we took a left and made our way back on to the track up to meet up with the other guys at Boswell’s. Derval Davie and Isla left us here whilst the group made their way up to the steps of Auchinleck House for lunch. It wasn’t too warm sitting there, so before long we were off again down the access road and retracing our steps back to the cars. Whereas most took the direct route, Alan McQ took Graham to look at Wallace’s Cave and then up towards the Ballochmyle Viaduct before walking to the pub in Mauchline.

The main group arrived back at Catrine having done seven and a half miles or so in three hours and twenty minutes. At Catrine we normally would have then had to walk back to the cars at Sorn, but most were very happy today not to have to do the extra couple of miles. FRT was taken in the Black Bull in Mauchline where Alan and Graham appeared not long after the first arrivals. A good time was had here and thanks again to Karan, the barmaid, for the sausage rolls, much appreciated! She had promised on a previous visit that she could organise a visit to Barskimming Estate for us, offering to come with us to show us around. Alan McQ spent some time discussing this with her and firmed up that offer by taking down her details! The summer was suggested as a suitable time.

Another grand day out!

 

 

Arrangements for Wednesday 19th February

Prestwick to Troon

Meet at Prestwick promenade for a walk to Troon and back. (Car park nearest Troon.)

Castle Semple and Howwood (Snowdrop Walk) 5th February

 

Alan McQ, Allan, Davie C, Dougie, Graham, Gus, Hugh, Jimmy, Johnny, Kenny R, Paul, Rex, Robert

The heavy rain of the previous day had been replaced with a bright morning meaning we had good overhead conditions for today’s ‘snowdrop walk’. Castle Semple loch was as full as we’ve seen it, so we took to the cycle path right away on leaving the car park, not chancing the lower path next to the water. We didn’t visit the Collegiate Church today but made straight for the turn-off to Kenmure Hill. As usually happens at this point, some decided to go up and over the hill whilst the rest, Dougie, Johnny and Robert, decided to go around. Those that went over had coffee at the top before meeting up with the others on the path below. As could be expected, a part of the path was flooded, but this was negotiated relatively easily and, to be honest, the going was better than expected.

Making our way into Howwood we found the relentless steps that took us on to the road that took us even more relentlessly up to Bowfield. It was noted that this road gets longer and steeper every time we do it. Making our way down to our right we all found the path to the left (remember the day Davie and Rex missed the path) that would take us to Newton of Belltrees. This is always the muddiest part of the walk, and so it proved to be, but still not as bad as expected, and we soon emerged at the top and onto the dry road. After another ten minutes or so we stopped at our usual spot beside the road for lunch. Johnny decided that it was better for him to keep moving, so he continued on his own leaving the rest behind.

On reaching Auchengrange we were slightly disappointed to note that we were probably a week early to view the snowdrops in full bloom but, never to miss an opportunity, Graham found a patch of them beside the road and collected some to take home. Alan was quick to describe him as a galanthophile, today’s word of the day.

The walk back to the cars was done in quick time, but not quick enough to catch up with Johnny who had beaten us by about five minutes. Three and a half hours for about eight and a half miles, some said nine. Jimmy and Kenny decided to head for home whilst the majority visited the Brown Bull for FRT. A pleasant and humorous way to end the day.