Alan, Alan McQ, Allan, Davie C, Davie Mc, Dougie, Graham, Gus, Hugh, Jimmy, Johnny, Paul, Peter, Rex, Robert
For the second week in a row the travel through to Kames was into a low sun making driving difficult, but the upside was the blue skies and the crisp, frosty ground promising a good walk. It was cold as we made our way along to McAdam’s cairn but, as we progressed, it was not too long before layers were shed.
By the time we reached the Sanquhar Bridge we were beginning to get well strung out, but while those at the front set a lively pace, those at the rear were enjoying the sun at a more modest one. Moving up the old road we reassembled at Bradford’s bench and took in the vista around us, Cairn Table to one side and Wardlaw to the other, and as it was eleven o’clock, we paused briefly to remember. Missing from our company were Peter and Johnny who had turned back earlier, according to those in the know, and therefore it was decision time. Alan McQ, Graham, Gus, Jimmy, Paul and Rex would continue to the Bible Stane and then take the track to the summit of Wardlaw, whilst the rest decided to have coffee at the bench and then head back to the cars.
 |
| The Ooters with a fellow walker |
Walking back downhill to Kames in the sunshine was a joy and after a wee while we came across Johnny who was walking up towards us. He had left Peter to return to his car and had decided to sit down and have a rest before progressing. That made eight of us walking down and, on finding benches at McAdam’s cairn, it was decided to have lunch there. Derval Davie had suggested going down to Tibbie’s Brig for lunch, but on the basis that we would have to climb back up the steep hill again, this notion was rejected. The cars were reached at twenty to one having covered about six miles and, by arrangement, we set off for the Black Bull in Mauchline to await the rest.
The six made their way to the cairn at the top of Wardlaw, avoiding the mess made by quadbikers, and met up again with a fellow walker who they had come across back at the bench. The assumption is that someone was kind to Graham who had forgotten to take his rucksack, complete with lunch, out of the car. Silly boy! The guys then made their way down the face of the hill and made decent progress until they met some boggy ground. Rex was first to get sucked in and, only with some effort from the rest, managed to get out. One of the rescuers, Gus, then got seriously trapped himself only to be eventually pulled out by the others. The bog trotters got themselves sorted out and made for Tibbie’s Brig before getting back to their cars having done between eight and nine miles. They arrived at the pub the best part of fifty minutes after the others and by this time Rex and Gus had managed to get themselves dried out.
A good time was had there with Karen, the barmaid, showing us the usual hospitality. Thanks again!
Most thought that this had been a grand day out with only a couple describing it as bog standard!
