Gogo Burn 20 January

Alan, Allan, Davie C, Gus, Ian, Jimmy, Johnny, Kenny R, Kenny T, Rex, Robert

It was disappointingly wet as we met in Largs, at least most of us met at the correct location. Rex had failed to find Charles Street and was parked at the Gogo Burn, silly boy, but, by the wonders of modern technology, probably the same technology that got him lost, he made contact with Allan and met up with the rest of us. Jimmy proposed that, given the weather, we do the walk in the opposite direction and make our way up to the picnic area at the burn to take stock.

Looking back towards Largs

As we passed Largs Academy Ian had to avert his eyes and take a few tranquilisers but, with the usual Ooters’ compassion, he made it with our support. Moving out of the scheme and starting to climb we did see a sign saying that a construction company apologised for any inconvenience due to their works, but we carried on undaunted taking note that the path had been widened to take heavy machinery. Still we carried on. The path was becoming increasingly muddy and by the time the ‘picnic area’ was in view it was a river of glaur. We could see machinery up ahead and down below and a new road being dug out of the hillside. At this point we were stopped by a young engineer, who seemed to be in charge, and told we shouldn’t be there and that there was a sign stating the whole area was out of bounds. After a lot of negotiating he reluctantly agreed to lead us through the works as he had the hard hat and hi-viz jacket etc. Another big workman approached Jimmy in what appeared initially was a menacing mood only to ask “Do you come fae Cumnock?” The ice was broken and the big guy explained he had stayed next door to Jimmy for many a year.

Looking up the glan with the new road under construction on the left

Having led us through the diggers, we thanked the ‘boy’ for his help and made for the hillside before stopping for coffee twenty minutes further on. At this point Allan decided that he had done enough for the day and would return down the way he came up, risking the wrath of the workmen. In the event he had a convivial conversation finding out that the works were due to a private hydro sceme being set up by the Stakis Group and that the works would go on until October. On his way down he did find the warning sign which was placed behind an open gate and which could have been (and had been) missed. If we had seen it would we have taken heed and turned back? Knowing our record, what do you think?

The Guys continued up to the bridge to note that a temporary one had been constructed whilst a more permanent feature was at the foundation stage. Crossing over, the task was to get up the hillside and look for signs of the path. By now lying snow was a feature and the path was slippy, especially on the downhill sections. Robert held the record for most falls today, three at the last count. Fortunately he fell on the biggest and most padded part of his anatomy. On the trek back to the ‘steps’ a couple of sleety showers were encountered but, all in all, given the unpromising start to the day, it had been decent weather for the time of the year.

Honestly Mister, we didnae see the sign!

All were reunited at the cars, a tad over four hours from setting off.

FRT was held in The Village Inn at Fairlie.