Castle Semple and Howwood 12 May

Allan, Billy, Davie C, Dougie, Gus, Hugh, Ian, Jimmy, Johnny, Kenny T, Malcolm, Paul, Rex, Robert

We'll tak he high road ...

There was a light drizzle as we assembled at the car park at Castle Semple, but most chose not to don wet weather trousers in the hope that it would dry up. This walk is normally done in February and known as the ‘Snowdrop Walk’ but, being May, we christened it the 'Bluebell Walk’.’ Taking the loch side path, we soon reached the cycle path where most decided to go up through Parkhill Wood and past the collegiate church rather than simply walk down the path. Underfoot conditions were fine and soon we were all joined up again and heading for the folly on Kenmure Hill. Johnny, Robert and Ian took the path round the hill and had a coffee stop at the bench beside the globe whilst the rest went up to the folly and had a coffee. By this time, it had dried up, although the grass was a bit damp to sit on, so we remained standing whilst we had our break.

The 'Bluebell Walk'

We didn't go in today

Having reached the gate which leads you on to the road into Howwood, Kenny turned back as he had other plans, so thirteen of us walked into the village and promptly missed the turn off to the steps. By the time we realised this we were at another opening and rather than turn back we took a chance and found a path that took us up on to the road we had been seeking. Something to remember for the next time!

As we continued on the drag up the hill, the road being closed to cars due to re-surfacing work, the combination of the rising temperature and the effort of the climb led to layers coming off well before we reached Bowfield. We stopped for a few minutes here to make sure that everyone was present, especially Davie and Rex, although we knew that Gus was ahead of us and would be waiting at the sign for the path to Newton of Belltrees. Again, underfoot conditions here were better than expected and we made the road at the top of the hill in good time. Having reached our usual lunch spot it was decided that the grass was too wet to sit on, so we continued to Auchengrange House, the site of the snowdrops. Obviously, this not being February, there were none on view, so we didn’t delay and continued down the hill and back towards Lochwinnoch. There was some light rain by this time, but we decided to stop for lunch at the picnic benches at the RSPB site, and, although these were wet, we made the best of it and before long the sun had broken through again.

We were back at the cars by about half past one, having covered nine miles, where thoughts turned to the following week and the prospect of perhaps having some beer garden FRT.

Going up to Newton of Belltrees