Alan McQ, Allan, Billy, Davie C, Davie Mc, Dougie, Gus, Hugh,
Iain, Jimmy, Johnny, Malcolm, Paul, Robert
It was a lovely, fresh summer’s morning as we met at the
Lodge Road car park in Turnberry for the walk to Maidens and back. The first
stretch saw us take to the beach for a stroll to the lighthouse where we met up
with Alan’s dad, Bryce, who treated us to a coffee from the halfway house. He
then gave us an informative and amusing talk about the history of the golf
course, the hotel, and the air base as well as his family’s association with the
club. We spent a very leisurely time here before going up to the memorial
dedicated to those in the first and second world wars who died whilst training
at the air base. We thanked Mr McQuiston for his input before moving off
towards Maidens noticing as we did the gathering dark clouds behind us.
As we entered Maidens the rain. albeit light, started and was
to last during our lunch stop at the picnic benches at the harbour. Moving on,
the rain went off, the skies brightened, and we were back to excellent weather
again as we made our way across the football field, riddled with deep rabbit
holes, and up to Shanter Road, which we followed past Shanter Farm. Continuing up
the track, we went through Turnberry Wood before emerging at the clay pigeon shooting
range. The red flags were flying, but as there seemed to be no-one shooting, we
carried on, re-entered the woods, and emerged at the side of the hotel.
We went round the back of the hotel, which is actually the
front, and paused to take in the ornate fountain. From there it was a matter of
going down past the spa and leisure centre and down the steps towards the main
road. The whole complex looked magnificent today given the weather.
The cars were reached after three hours and fifty minutes
with us having covered six and a half miles, illustrating that we had stopped
on numerous occasions and did not push ourselves today.
FRT was taken at the Greenside in Maybole where all fourteen
of us enjoyed our post-walk drinks. In appreciation of Mr McQuiston buying us
coffee and giving up his time for us, we bought him a gift voucher for a meal
at the Greenside, which we hope he and his wife enjoys. Many thanks.
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| Starting off |
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| Approaching the lighthouse |
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| The memorial |
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| All those remembered died in accidents |
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| Iconic view |
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| Robert the Bruce's head? |
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| The remains of the runway |
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| A wet lunch |
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| The front of the hotel faced the station |
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