Maybole to Dunure and back 27 August

Allan, Davie C, Davie Mc, Jimmy, Johnny, Malcolm, Rex, Robert

It had been just over two years since we did this walk (see report of 11 July 2012 for description of walk and map of route) and, as we assembled at the Green in Maybole on a bright late summer morning, we knew that this would be a long day.

Crossing the moor towards the coffee stop

The fields have been harvested

It was good to welcome Jimmy back to the fold after his flu and his work at the Commonwealth Games and at the IPC Games in Swansea. Johnny was also back, chuffed that he had got his completion certificate for the cottage. There was no Peter today, but well done on finally selling the house.

Finding a nice place for coffee

Looking back up towards Culzean and Turnberry

We left the Green,  went over the railway bridge and headed up past Gardenrose P.S.,  continuing straight on up Preaching Brae before cutting off, as we did before, and making for Howmoor Quarry and taking coffee in the lea of a hill overlooking Croy Bay. Below us we could see the path we had previously followed but we, Jimmy that is, was determined to stay high a bit longer and hopefully come off the hill north of Drunshang and thereby avoid the trek along the main road. This proved to be easier said than done as before long we were descending into a deep ravine before trying to climb out the other side. Jimmy, Rex and Robert went more or less straight up the slope and out of sight, whereas the remainder followed a path until it ran out and were faced with a sea of bracken. Undaunted they ploughed on through it, carefully negotiated a barbed wire fence, went through a wooded area, and emerged in sight of the wee lochan beside which would be a path through the adjacent trees. Taking this path and traversing a field or two they emerged north of Drumshang at Aucheninch Bridge. The walk up the main road was fairly short and as they  approached Dunure Mains they could see the others coming down the hillside to meet them. From there it was down the road towards Dunure before cutting off at the bend in the road to follow the well-kent coastal path down into the village. Lunch was taken at the benches beside the castle and as we relaxed in the sun the thought struck us that we still had to do the return journey.

Not a bad place for lunch!

The harbour at Dunure was looking idyllic

So it was through Dunure, up to Fisherton, crossing the main road at the school, and following the paths up and up until we entered the forest. Fortunately we were not assaulted by insects this time, and the underfoot conditions were not as damp as previously encountered. On emerging from the trees we took a break at the style before following the recognised path back to the road back in to Maybole. I say path, but it has to be said that it is badly in need of some attention, as the underfoot conditions were not easy. Although the return journey was made using, as has been said, the ‘recognised ‘route, it is not one to be advised after a lot of rain.

We arrived back at the Green six hours after setting off and were grateful that we were parked adjacent to the Greenside where a very convivial and well deserved FRT was taken.