Hurlford to Galston 3 August

Alan, Alan McQ, Allan, Billy, Davie C, Davie Mc, Dougie, Gus, Hugh, Jimmy, Johnny, Malcolm, Paul, Robert

Many thanks to Gus and Rita for their hospitality in providing tea and rolls for us before our walk today. The gesture was much enjoyed and appreciated.

Billy didn’t join us on the walk so thirteen of us, plus Isla, motored to the bowling club in Hurlford to start our weel-kent walk to Galston. It was dry to begin with but, as we trekked along the Grougar Walk, heavy drizzle came on leading to rain jackets being sought. Unfortunately for Alan, he had forgotten to transfer his jacket from his car, so he turned back to get it saying that he would meet up with us at the start of the Chris Hoy Way. The walk to Loudoun Kirk was done in intermittent, but warmish, drizzle, and when we stopped for a coffee/lunch break in the churchyard we were unlucky to encounter a steady shower.

 

Gus turned back here as he was attending his granddaughter’s birthday party in the afternoon and was fair excited! The rest took the short-cut (missing out passing Loudoun Academy, thankfully for Alan McQ) and headed straight for Galston. The path and grass were reasonably dry, so good progress was made, and once across the main road, Kay was waiting to take Isla home. Crossing Portland Park and making our way up out of the scheme we found Alan waiting for us at the start of the cycle track.

By this time, it was drying up, but jackets were kept on just in case. After about forty minutes the bridge, our usual stopping point, was reached, and the remains of our pieces were devoured before the last leg into Hurlford and back to the cars. We had done eight miles in three hours and set off for FRT at the First Edition in good spirits. Billy was able to re-join us there and, as usual, an enjoyable time was had.