Knockroon, A Frame, Dumfries House 25th March

Alan McQ, Allan, Davie C, Davie Mc, Hugh, Jimmy, Johnny, Malcolm, Paul, Rex, Robert

Our planned trip to Kames was, yet again, postponed due to a poor weather forecast, so we met at Knockroon on a morning which promised rain/sleet/snow/hail showers and a biting wind. We were well wrapped up as we left the car park and headed back towards Auchinleck with the idea to continue to the A frame and return via Dumfries House.

Davie however, in order to accommodate Isla, cut off to the path on the left to head for the Lugar Trail, and since compassion is the name of the game for the Ooters these days, Allan and Malcolm, being his designated carers for the day, went with him. They took the path, very muddy in some parts, up to the entrance to Dumfries House grounds and then checked where the others were. The main group had turned left on reaching Auchinleck, had looked in at the old kirkyard to have a look at Boswell’s mausoleum, and were continuing up Barony Road to have coffee at the A frame.

It was agreed that the other three would walk towards them, and this they did, hoping that they would meet the others before having to make the steep climb up the bing. No such luck though, and it was only a few minutes from the frame that they saw the guys coming down to meet them. From here all made their way back to the Woodland Shelter (our usual howff) for lunch. It is still locked but we spent a restful twenty minutes on the benches outside.

We had had only one small shower by this point but on the way from there to the underpass we had constant rain/hail, not that heavy, and with the wind behind us it was not an issue. The rain/hail having gone off, Davie and Isla returned to the car park the way they had come whilst the rest took the drier path up beside the Auchinleck Burn and then down the main road to the cars. We had been lucky with the weather as it had been much better than forecast, with lots of bright spells, and we had covered seven miles or so by the time the stragglers arrived back at ten to one.

Wee Davie, having been checked out with a spirit level, was passed fit to join us at the Black Bull in Mauchline. His new coat, and a lighter rucksack, seemed to have done the trick. Time will tell.

A jovial hour was spent at our favourite hostelry where we were treated to our usual hospitality in the form of sausage rolls. Thanks again, folks.

A guid day oot after all!

Some images from the Dumfries House walk

 

Arrangements for Wednesday 1st April

Loch Lapraik

Meet at Kames for another attempt at the walk to Loch Lapraik.

Seamill to Portencross 18th March

Allan, Davie C, Davie Mc, Graham, Gus, Hugh, Johnny, Kenny R, Malcolm, Paul, Rex

It was a glorious spring morning as we assembled at the car park for our walk to Portencross. So good that most had come with too many layers, given the weather we had encountered recently and it was not long before fleeces and jackets were shed. The walk to Portencross has been described many times before, the only things of note this time were that we came across a group of first year Bristol University geology students, resplendent in hi-vis jackets, examining rock formations on the beach before setting off for Arran later (good luck with that one!), and that we were surprised (one or two even excited) to see a lady strip off to her bathing costume and go for a swim in the cold water. Good for you, missus!

Reaching the castle at about twenty past eleven we had our coffee/lunch at our favoured spot before setting off on the return trip. Before long we were well strung out as usual, with those at the back narrowly being missed by a stray golf ball. Further on we met Alan Watson out walking his dogs and a few minutes were spent catching up with him before moving on.

By the time we came off the path beside the golf course and back on to the beach, and with the front markers in the distance, those at the tail stopped as wee Davie was ‘away to the side’ again and in a bit of distress. Various options were considered but, in the end, Johnny volunteered to carry Davie’s heavy rucksack (this may be the cause of his problems) and saunter with Davie straight up the adjoining road and gingerly walk back to the cars in the hope it would make it easier for Davie to walk on firm ground. The rest of us marched on with the promise that one of us, on reaching the cars, would drive to meet them and pick them up. Gus was first back of this group and without hesitation jumped in his car and went and picked them up at a bus stop where they had stopped to allow Davie to rest. Needless to say, that by the time Davie had his first pint, he was fine. Well done to both Johnny and Gus for their compasson!

It had been a good walk (seven miles in three hours and ten minutes, but who’s counting?) in excellent conditions and for some it had been a tiring day with the unexpected heat, too many clothes, and walking on the sand to contend with. FRT was taken at the Lauriston where a very pleasant hour was spent in the lounge bar relaxing after our exertions.

 

Arrangements for 25th March

 Meet at Kames at 10am for a walk to the new loch (Lapraik or Dalfram).