Arrangements for 22nd July

 Meet at Kames at 10am for a walk up to and around the new big loch (Lapraik, Wellwood, whatever!)

Annbank Circular 15th July

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

It was yet another glorious morning as we met in Annbank for our circular walk to the Wallace and Burns monument. Most had parked in the main street but some had taken the option of parking in the car park in Mossblown opposite the church from which a path led to the bottom of the brae down from the bowling club. We all met up there and continued along the riverside track to Auchincruive, taking a higher path to begin with in order to avoid some fallen trees.

The pace was moderate with all enjoying the warm temperature and, with most of the going in the shade, it was a relaxed group who took coffee at the monument. It was nearly half past eleven when it was decided to move on with Dougie, Graham, Gus, Jimmy, Paul and Rex choosing to complete the circuit by going the longer way back and the rest taking the option, in the heat, to simply retrace their steps. The path was as busy as we’ve seen it today, it’s amazing what the sun brings out!

Anyway, on reaching the bottom of the brae again, those heading for the cars at the church car park were pleased to announce that they did not have the brae to climb as it was a level walk back to where they had parked. Something to bear in mind for the future. Those parked in the main street then joined the others in the shade of the car park to get changed and to have lunch. At one o’clock they drove to the Tap o’ the Brae to find it closed (as had been the case the last time) so headed for the Black Bull in Mauchline, as agreed with those still walking.

It was nearly half past two when the rest arrived at the sitooterie at the Black Bull having been led slightly astray on the final leg of the walk by their Cumnockian tour guide, making the normal seven and a half miles a bit longer.

As usual, a good time was had there, and we were treated as always to sausage rolls. Thanks again, folks! 

 

Stevenston Shore 8th July

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

The Ardeer Peninsula between Irvine and Stevenston housed the ICI Nobel dynamite factory which employed 13000 at its peak and at the time was the biggest explosives factory in the world. Although now closed there is an offshoot explosives company, Chemring, still operating and employing 300.

This would be a new walk for the Ooters today, starting at the car park next to the ‘Doon the Beach’ café and heading along the shoreline of the peninsula towards Irvine. The forecast was for it to be cloudy in the morning and to clear up later, so we set off on to the beach with fleeces etc on, but with the overhead conditions improving rapidly and the temperature warming up, layers were soon dispensed with. We cut over Ardeer Point and got back on to the beach via a rocky outcrop and then headed along the long stretch of shore. Fortunately, the tide was out, meaning that there was plenty of firm sand to walk on and we were joined, aerially, by a couple of powered paragliders enjoying the fine conditions.

Before too long we came across a mural of Robert Burns on the concrete seawall and took time to admire/photograph it before moving on. It has to be said though that it needs some TLC to bring it back up to its original colourful standard. After about an hour and a quarter’s walking we arrived at the mouth of the River Irvine, just below where the Big Idea is positioned and we took coffee/lunch in the lovely conditions, albeit sitting on what looked like the remains of old sewer pipes. Some tried to go up to the Big Idea, closed after only operating for a couple of years, but found the going tricky and turned back.

Retracing our steps we made good progress, even the sight of a nudist in the distance (it is officially a nudist beach) did not slow us down, and in order to avoid the rocks mentioned earlier we left the beach a bit earlier and took to the paths across the park to reach our starting point with the front runners arriving back about half past twelve and the rest arriving in groups over the next ten minutes.

The walk had taken two hours and forty-five minutes and had been a distance of just over six miles, very similar in fact to the Irvine to Barassie walk which we’ve done on many occasions.

After some discussion, it was decided to go to the Lauriston in Ardrossan for FRT, and once we had managed to extricate ourselves from Stevenston, the sitooterie at the front of the hotel made for a very pleasant venue, at least for those who were in the shade, in what had become a beautifully hot day.

Arrangements for 15th July

Annbank Circular 

Meet in Annbank at 10am for a walk to the Wallace & Burns monument. The route will be anti-clockwise to allow those who wish a shorter walk to turn back from there.

Some images from the Stevenston Beach walk