Sorn to Ballochmyle Viaduct 20 February

Allan, Davie Mc, Dougie, Gus, Jimmy, Johnny, Kenny T, Malcolm, Paul, Rex, Robert

Simply hair-raising!

Ten of us met at the car park at the church in Sorn for our familiar walk up towards the railway viaduct. Peter joined us briefly to tell us that he would not be walking, given his sore back, but might see us on part of the walk.

The forecast was for rain, so some had donned wet weather gear from the start as we set off up the road to Catrine. As we reached the war memorial, we did in fact meet Peter who had come up from his place and he joined us on the way back down to his home. Kenny T met up with us in Catrine and stayed with us until we returned there later in the day.
From Catrine, we followed the riverside path up to the Howford Bridge, under which we took coffee, before moving up to the Ballochmyle Viaduct. Contiuing on the path for another ten minutes, there was then a choice to be made between going up to Kingencleugh and then back to Howford or going down to the river and following the path back up to the viaduct for lunch. The latter plan was accepted, and we had an early lunch about half past eleven.
On our way back to Catrine, layers were being removed as it was quite mild for the time of year, especially when out of the breeze. Returning to Sorn via the Voes and the River Ayr Walk past Daldorch School, we reached the cars at five past one, three and a half hours after having set off, and having covered the best part of nine miles, and with no rain at all.

In the evening we were joined by Davie C and Peter at the Jewel in the Crown, and later Wetherspoon’s, in honour of Jimmy’s seventieth birthday. Lang may yer lum reek, Jimmy!

We, also, took the opportunity to formally thank Johnny and Helen for hosting the Burns Supper. 

A guid night was had!

Approaching the viaduct

Taking the harder route down to the lunch spot

On the trunk road