Crawfurdland 24 December

Allan, Davie Mc, Gus, Jimmy, Johnny, Robert

Anyone got a chainsaw?

We enjoyed Robert’s hospitality (thanks Robert) whilst we waited for a break in the weather. Each time we thought that it was going to clear another heavy, wintry shower arrived, and so it was well after ten o’clock that we left, well protected against the elements. To be fair, the weather for the rest of the day was much better than anticipated, with only a couple of short sharp showers to contend with.

On leaving Robert’s we headed through Kay Park and approached Dean Park using paths that were new to most of us. A short stop was made at the new bridge being constructed over the ford to view a huge pile of fallen branches that were lodged against it. Where is Peter when you need him? We followed the paths through the estate, making a decision to ignore a sign that said that the path ahead was closed due to the effects of erosion, and emerged at the top of the park unscathed.

We then took the footbridge over the A77 towards Craufurdland and made our way to the left of the castle before rejoining the main road through the estate at the big, new house. From here we went up

Somebody gie that dug a piece!

past the loch noting that the area on the right hand side of the road had been laid out as a ‘tough mudder’ course. After a quick word with some fishermen we soon reached the end of the estate and took a right turn heading towards Grassyards Road.

A decision was made by at least one member of the company that we would not follow this road back in to Kilmarnock but, since the weather was holding out, we would extend the walk a bit – where have we heard this before?- by crossing over to the Moscow road, and so we ventured past Little Raws before stopping for lunch in the shelter of West Raws. To complete the set we then passed East Raws before another decision appeared to have been made. We would take the path through Armsheugh Plantation.

Now this is where things began to go wrong. Up until now the going underfoot had been good with most of the walk having been done on tarmac and the rest done on decent tracks, given the recent weather that is. When we got to the point that stepping stones had to be crossed, health and safety dictated no way! Too much rain had fallen. Should this have been a surprise? Anyway the best option was to climb up a banking and head over the fields to a bridge further down. The barbed wire fence at the top of the banking had to be overcome with lots of care but areas of the fields had us ankle deep in mud. Lovely!

Eventually tarmac was found again at Greenwood Bridge and we thought that the worst was over. As we approached Templetonburn we noticed that the road was flooded big time. Even those, well Jimmy, who thought that the best route was through the middle of the road, realised that this was not a great option. The only viable passage was by taking to the slightly higher verge at the side of the road, hanging on to the hedge, negotiating large, deep puddles and going for it. Our task was made more difficult by passing 4x4s which sent tidal waves in our direction. After about 50 metres or so, we reached dry land and it was plain sailing up past the remains of Crookedholm P.S. and back into New Farm and eventually Robert’s.

It was commented on that one of the leaders today had also led the Whangie walk! Say no more!

FRT was taken at The Charleston where, for the record, Davie and Jimmy contented themselves with Diet Cokes. They thoroughly enjoyed them!