Darvel 14 October

Alan, Allan, Davie Mc, Gus, Ian, Malcolm, Paul, Peter

The Indian summer continued as we assembled at Davie’s in Darvel for our valley walk. Thanks, yet again, to Davie and Kay for their hospitality.

Almost a year ago to the day we did this walk and it was a precursor to Gus’s 60^th celebration. Next week is Davie C’s, nearly a coincidence. Anyway, when we reached the entrance to Lanfine we did not, on this occasion, go up through the estate past the boars, but continued up the tarmac road to Dyke before taking the grass path up to the edge of Dykehill Plantation. Following the markers we made our way up to the break in the trees that took us up towards Kieland. Before reaching there we turned right and took the path through Bonnieton Plantation and on towards Gullyhill. The walking was good with only a few muddy patches to contend with, and with the only sound being feet on dry leaves, the walk was relaxing.

The big one on the left takes an interest in us

When we eventually reached tarmac again we turned left and stopped in the sun at Parkerston for coffee. As we enjoyed the break it was remarked how quiet it was today with not so much banter, more to do with who was missing than who was present. The road took us down to Newmilns, and crossing the main road, we started the climb up the other side of the valley, passing the dry ski slope, and taking Dalwhatswood Road to the entrance to the cemetery, where, as tradition dictates, we took lunch. The autumn sunshine made this break a pleasure, but all good things soon came to an end, and we continued our steady climb up the road past Cronan until it levelled out as we turned right towards our last leg back to Darvel. Turning right down Foulpapple Road and then left in to Burn road meant we were back to where we started in three hours and fifty-five minutes, exactly the same time it took us last year.

A good way to get away from it all

Malcolm and Peter had issues to attend to and left for home whilst the rest of us headed up to the Railway Inn for FRT only to find it was shut. Did we have such an effect on it last week? Maybe it was just down to it being the school week, who knows? Anyway a quick decision was made to travel to the Crown in Newmilns. This was a new venue for most of us but Davie and Gus, the valley boys, were familiar with it, although it had changed a bit since the last time they had been there. It could certainly do with some upgrading but these days we need to be grateful that there are some pubs that are still open.