Friday, 11 March 2016

Crookedholm to Darvel 9 March


Alan, Allan, Davie C, Davie Mc, Gus, Ian, Jimmy, Johnny, Kenny R, Kenny T, Malcolm, Paul, Peter, Robert

We met at the bowling club in Crookedholm on a bright, chilly spring morning and were glad to welcome Jimmy back into the fold. Our route was to be the familiar one following the Grougar path and as, far as possible, staying on good ground or tarmac. However, Davie Mc and Peter took Holly down to the riverside path ignoring the suggestion that it would be mucky. They emerged relatively unscathed to meet us further up the road and remained with us to Loudoun Kirk where coffee was taken.
On leaving the kirkyard there was a schism with half the company following the high road up to Loudoun Academy whilst the rest turned right and took the shorter, but potentially muddier route (in fact it wasn’t an issue), to Galston. There was a coming together at the sports ground where the riverside path was taken to Newmilns. This path was in the process of a major upgrade and what a difference had been made to the first stretch of it. The story was that it would form part of the Chris Hoy Way.  We trust that some money will be put aside to maintain it!
On reaching Newmilns consideration was given to Jimmy’s wabbitness by agreeing to let Johnny, Peter and him return to the cars from there. However, him that knows these things said that it was only twenty minutes or so to Darvel, so we stayed together and set off on the last leg. O.K. it was twenty-five minutes to the outskirts of Darvel and a bit longer to the bus stop, but there was warm sunshine on this stage, so no harm was done. The weather had been dry and, at times, warm but, when the sun had gone in or we were in the shade, there was a distinct chill in the air.
Having taken the bus back to the cars, we went on to Wetherspoon’s in Kilmarnock for lunch and FRT.
Another grand day out!

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