A decision had been arrived at the previous evening. Given the recent snow and the forecast of high winds, it would be better to leave the Lowthers for another day and instead do the Ayr to Annbank walk, another first for the Ooters as we have never done this walk ‘backwards’. And so it came to pass - nice touch for Easter weekend – that 9 regulars met on Ayr seafront on a bright and cold morning with a biting easterly wind meaning that jackets, gloves and hats were the order of the day. Only Robert ‘The Mouse’ McGarry, known as Mousey to his friends, seemed disappointed about the alternative venue. The word ‘wimps’ was definitely used but, given the recent exploits at Durisdeer, discretion was certainly the better part of valour.
Rex had some of his photographs on display at the Carnegie Library as part of the Ayr Photographic Society exhibition so the company, other than Davie and Holly*, went in and not only congratulated him on his photos, but voted en masse for him in the visitors' choice category. Before continuing on the walk Allan and 
Malcolm made a quick visit to the nearby ‘Sugar Cube’ café to say hello to former colleague Ian and wife Rena who with son Peter own and run the café. Soon we had reached the new UWS building and given the fact we were now partially protected from the wind a stop was called in order to remove jackets. Soon after though, the jackets were back on as we followed the north side of the river up to the stepping stones where a coffee stop was made.
Malcolm made a quick visit to the nearby ‘Sugar Cube’ café to say hello to former colleague Ian and wife Rena who with son Peter own and run the café. Soon we had reached the new UWS building and given the fact we were now partially protected from the wind a stop was called in order to remove jackets. Soon after though, the jackets were back on as we followed the north side of the river up to the stepping stones where a coffee stop was made.
Not even the foolhardy considered crossing over the stones today so we crossed back over the road bridge and proceeded briskly along the well-known minor road to the Burns monument where lunch was tak
en. The trek back to Annbank was longer than many of us had remembered but, as Paul’s route map shows, we took the longer path back following the ox-bow in the river before emerging at the bus ‘terminus’. Here another decision had to be made: jump on the waiting bus and go back to Ayr for badly needed FRT or go up to the Tap o’ the Brae and refresh ourselves there first. A vote was taken but Holly had the casting vote and she decided on the Tap o’ the Brae as it was a ‘dug-friendly’ pub. Good choice, Holly, as we need to support our local pubs. What would we do on a Wednesday without them? However some clarification is needed. We know a cat has nine lives, but since when has a dug got ten votes? And talking about cats, Mousey said there were no hard felines about not going to Wanlockhead, other than perhaps the stiff one on his embryonic bonfire, his one and only entry for the Turner prize.
en. The trek back to Annbank was longer than many of us had remembered but, as Paul’s route map shows, we took the longer path back following the ox-bow in the river before emerging at the bus ‘terminus’. Here another decision had to be made: jump on the waiting bus and go back to Ayr for badly needed FRT or go up to the Tap o’ the Brae and refresh ourselves there first. A vote was taken but Holly had the casting vote and she decided on the Tap o’ the Brae as it was a ‘dug-friendly’ pub. Good choice, Holly, as we need to support our local pubs. What would we do on a Wednesday without them? However some clarification is needed. We know a cat has nine lives, but since when has a dug got ten votes? And talking about cats, Mousey said there were no hard felines about not going to Wanlockhead, other than perhaps the stiff one on his embryonic bonfire, his one and only entry for the Turner prize.
All too soon it was time for the bus and despite, calls for fish suppers, we made our way directly back to the cars and home. Another good, but surprisingly tiring, day out!
*Holly was OK’d to enter but the security guard took one look at Davie and sent him packing.
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