Irvine to Ardrossan 10 Nov 2010

Distance 15.5 km (the route from Allan's to Eglinton may not be 100% accurate. My excuse is that I was giving tax advice at the time.)




Allan, Davie, Ian, Jimmy, Johnny, Paul, Peter, Robert
It was a bright, frosty morning as the Ooters met at Allan’s house for coffee and scones before setting off through the back of his estate (well not actually his estate, the estate where he lives) and up towards Lawthorn. On the route we paid homage to the cottage where Colin (he of the Canigou and the endless stories) once lived as we proceeded past the Lawthorn Farm Restaurant and Pub, out beyond the Lawthorn Wood, and onto the old Glasgow Road. Crossing this we were soon on the New Town Path and headed towards Eglinton Park, taking the route that leads towards the Lugton Water. It was a fine day for walking and feeling good not to be at school (Am I allowed to mention that word?). Soon we were passing an old but substantial piece of farm machinery which adorned the side of the path – the consensus of opinion being that it had been used to haul timber and would have been pulled by a tractor, possibly steam. The ruins of the castle were passed by as we made our way to the visitors’ centre only to find it was shut for the winter. However, the coffee shop was open and, much to Peter’s delight, we partook of coffee and massive home-made scones.
Reluctantly we moved on and soon were crossing the renovated Tournament Bridge (see picture) taking time to read about its history and the craftsmanship that went into its restoration. Further on our way was obstructed by workmen in full protective clothing felling and burning rhododendrons. They explained to us that they were diseased and had to be burned on site to stop the disease spreading. The workmen also had to be ‘disinfected’ before leaving the area for the same reason. Apparently there is a major problem with the same disease over at Brodick Castle – maybe it had blown over on the wind.
As we left Eglinton Park and crossed the road to join the pathway to Ardrossan we bade farewell to Johnny and Robert who were off to Mosset later in the day and hence did not have time for the full walk. The next part of the walk, from Kilwinning to Stevenston, has been well documented before, but it was in Stevenston that Paul suggested a wee change taking us down the cycle path which was adjacent to the beach. The sand dunes looking over towards Arran and Ailsa Craig gave us a perfect place for lunch, even better since there was pleasant sunshine and no wind.

Having enjoyed a leisurely stop we continued along the beach and on to the road that leads into Saltcoats. As we entered Saltcoats with the calm sea to our left and railway line to our right we could not imagine that a picture taken 24 hours later and displayed on the front page of Friday’s Herald would show gale force winds blowing gigantic waves over the breakwater. The leisurely theme continued as we sauntered along the sea front taking time to read the information boards about the history of the harbour and inspecting the large stone cross on the way.
The bus stop at Ardrossan was reached and there was a bus there waiting for us so before long we were back at Irvine Cross and following Allan round the corner to get another bus up to Perceton. It was whilst on this bus that we observed Johnny and Helen marching down Bank Street on their way to get the bus to Prestwick Airport - small world, eh?
This had been a good walk made better by the kind weather.
FRT, most unusually, was not taken today as we were having a curry night at the Rupee Room later on to belatedly celebrate Peter’s 65th.