Sorn to Kingencleugh 11 December

Allan, Billy, Davie Mc, Dougie, Gus, Hugh, Iain, Ian, Jimmy, Johnny, Kenny R, Paul, Rex, Robert

The horrendous weather of Tuesday had given way to a dry, fresh morning, but no chances were being taken as wet weather gear and umbrellas were to the fore.
Leaving the car park at Sorn kirk, we walked back up the main road and cut off towards Catrine where Allan and Jimmy met Peter who was out at the carol concert given by some young school kids in the square.
The next stop was for coffee under the Howford bridge where we noted that some of the graffiti that had accumulated over the years had been painted over. Good effort!
On reaching the Ballochmyle Viaduct consideration was given as to which route to take to the Haugh. Jimmy suggested it might be easier to take the lower route out and return by the higher path, and so we set off down towards the river. Before long though, Davie said that the water might be too high to continue, so we moved up to the higher path. Soon thereafter it became obvious that we weren’t heading for the Haugh after all, and were, in fact, making our way up to Kingencleugh. As tradition dictates, lunch was taken, in the sunshine, at the steps down to the railway and a pleasant quarter of an hour was spent.
The path adjacent to the main road which would lead us back down to the Howford bridge provided us with a couple of water obstacles to negotiate, but nothing too serious, and before long we were on the River Ayr Walk heading back to Catrine. Peter came out to join us and we had a good blether, at least until he told who was, and who wasn’t, on his Christmas card list. Oh, yes … there’s only one Peter Kleboe! It was good to see him again though.
Walking up past the Voes and following the path along the river and then up and down to Sorn we were back at the cars after four hours and ten minutes having covered the best part of ten miles.
Underfoot conditions had been much better than we could have hoped for after the rains of the previous day and, in fact, the river, although high, was not as high as expected. Overhead conditions had been excellent until, that is, we were getting changed at the end of the walk, when the heavens opened with rain and hail. If only It had held off for another five minutes!
FRT was taken at the Black Bull in Mauchline where the first to arrive scoffed the nibbles!
This had been a fine day out finished off with a good laugh in the pub!