Arrangements for 1st July

 Meet at Knockroon at 9.30am to catch the bus to Ochiltree and then walk back via Dumfries House.

Darvel and Curry 24th June

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

There was a healthy turnout of Ooters on a hot, summer’s day for our pre-curry walk. Davie and Kay treated us to coffee and pies (which were scoffed in true Ooters style) before we set off across the park and up through Lanfine, passing the family of boars as we did. Given the temperature, the pace was sensible and before too long we were heading back down towards the riverside path. At this point Alan, Dougie, Graham, Gus and Rex turned left towards Newmilns whilst the majority turned right and took the shorter route back to Darvel stopping for a break at the wall at the old dam. They were back at Davie’s just before twelve having covered about four and a half miles and were glad to accept the offer of a cold drink of juice at Le Jardin de Derval.

The smaller group arrived in Newmilns and went up Dalwhatswood Road (a taxing climb at the best of times, never mind in the heat) before coming back into Darvel by Foulpapple Road and Burn Road.

Many thanks again to Kay and Davie for their hospitality and to Davie for setting a trend for having a pie before a walk. However, the suggestion to start each walk form a Gregg’s was rejected on health and safety grounds.

 

There was an early start in the evening at the Jewel (5pm) to allow the guys to get home for the 11pm start of the Scotland v Brazil World Cup match. The occasion was to mark both Robert’s and Peter’s 80^th birthdays, and the fourteen above were joined by Billy, Ian, Kenny T, Paul and Ronnie, a tremendous attendance to celebrate our 2^nd (Peter) and 3^rd (Robert) octogenarians, Rex, of course, being the 1^st. Derval Davie gave the company an extremely witty speech in their honour, full of reminiscences and reminders of the good times the Ooters have had and produced his Johnny-produced booklet from the first Burns Supper in which he had the signatures of the attendees. It brought it all back. Wee Davie presented them (two of the founder members) with gifts for Robert to enjoy and Peter to ponder. We hope he enjoyed his yoghurt! Well done to Davie for sourcing the gifts and his humorous words. Robert replied in good spirit, or was it spirits, on behalf of himself and Peter.

Thanks again to Katrina and Lucy for their attention and to the Jewel for accommodating us. It was a great night finished off with most visiting Wetherspoon’s (with many punters in Scotland rigouts) for a night cap and some traditional Kilmarnock entertainment (see Graham for a fuller explanation), before heading home. Thanks to Robert for buying the round and we wish Peter and him all the very best.

Some images from the walk between Darvel and Newmilns

Loch Fannie 17th June

Alan McQ, Allan, Davie C, Davie Mc, Dougie, Graham, Gus, Jimmy, Paul, Rex, Robert

There had been overnight rain, but the forecast was for it to clear as the day went on, and by the time we reached the car park at Loch Doon Castle it had long gone with the temperature being warm and the atmosphere a bit muggy. Derval Davie and Robert motored up to the next car park and started walking from there whilst the rest set off from the castle along the familiar road and forest track catching up with the duo after about half an hour.

The last time we were down here we cut off to the left on a wee path down to a wooden bridge, seat and waterfall, and we repeated that today stopping there for coffee. Unfortunately, the midges were out in force, so we didn’t hang around and continued on the path beyond the seat. This section proved to be very wet and boggy but, just as we were beginning to despair, we reached another forest road where were given an option. Go right and head up to Loch Fannie (another mile, max) or turn left and follow the road until it meets up with the one we had been on earlier (a six mile walk rather than an eight mile one). For various reasons, Allan, the two Davies and Robert took the shorter route whilst the others went up to view Loch Fannie. They viewed the loch, which was described as picturesque, from a small hill (yes, Fannie Hill does exist) and had lunch, minus the midges, before setting off back to the cars.

The foursome got back to the castle at about twenty to one, got changed, had a leisurely lunch, and hadn’t too long to wait for the others to arrive at about twenty past. Robert set out for home whilst the rest headed for the Dalmellington Inn, with some stopping to view the new memorial to a Czech Spitfire pilot.

We’d had a good day, in surprisingly good overhead conditions, and enjoyed our time in the pub.

A few more images from the Loch Fannie walk