Sorn to Ballochmyle Viaduct 5 August

Alan, Alan McQ, Allan, Davie Mc, Gus, Ian, Kenny R

The torrential rain of yesterday had given way to a dry, overcast morning and, with the prospect of more rain to come by the middle of the day, we wasted no time in setting off from Sorn, heading up the road and making our way down in to Catrine. Howford Bridge, our usual coffee spot, was reached just after an hour, but today we decided to press on to the Ballochmyle Viaduct and combine coffee with lunch.

Despite all the rain that had fallen, underfoot conditions had been much better than anticipated, but we decided that we would simply retrace our steps from here rather than extending the walk further. Two reasons for this: 1) Gus (good to have him back in the fold) needed back early and 2) we would try and finish before the weather turned.

Gus strode on ahead at a serious pace leaving the rest of us (still not hanging about) to make our way back into Catrine where we stopped to say ‘hello’ to Peter. It was good to see him and he was proud to show off pictures of his granddaughter.

However, as we chatted, our luck ran out and the first drops of rain began to fall, so we wished him ‘all the best’ and headed up past the voes and on to the River Ayr walk. By this time, it was teaming down, and it was to remain so until we reached the cars, absolutely drookit, at about quarter past one. It was so wet that we immediately took refuge in our vehicles, tried to dry off, and set off for home, without even saying 'cheerio' or making arrangements for next week.

Some you win, some you lose!