The Merrick

Here are a few pictures that show the main points of the day on the Merrick. The early part of the day was a touch dreich as we had to contend with occasional light rain showers. The higher we climbed the more low cloud we had to put up with. Lunch at the top was a relatively short affair as there was enough wind to chill our sweaty bodies. The weather improved as we descended the hill , the low cloud lifted and the sky cleared. Spirits lifted as the weather improved as will be obvious from the pictures at Bruce's Stone and inside the Kirkmichael pub.

Allan, Johnny, Malcolm

Meanwhile the WILDS (Walking In Less Demanding Situations) Chapter of the Ooters left the Nythva Brewery at around 10.30, after coffee and scones of course, and headed up Bank Street, continuing on to Lochlibo Road before turning off at the Old Toll House and heading for Annick Lodge. The weather was very warm with the prospect of rain in the distance, but the rain didn’t hit us until we had crossed the Stewarton Road and made our way to Springside. Not wishing to get too wet we retraced our steps after a couple of hundred yards and walked back in to Irvine down Middleton Road, the rain having abated by this time, before rejoining Bank Street.

A walk of two and a half hours, followed by Killie pie, beans and chips washed down by a Canadian Light Ale and Pilgrim’s Hope.

Please note that the beers are very palatable and go down extremely easily – but leave your cars at home for Oktoberfest, whenever it happens.