Panto, Walk and Curry 14 December

The Panto

Alan, Allan, Davie C, Dougie, Ian, Johnny, Malcolm, Rex

On a bitterly cold morning we made our way to the Counting House for a coffee before heading to Oran Mor. The fortunate amongst us had some heating on the bus but Dougie and Rex had both experienced a very Baltic journey up, and to compound things, Glasgow was absolutely freezing, and the Counting House was obviously counting the pennies when it came to heating the place.

Anyway, by half past ten we made our way to the underground, which was pleasantly warm, mastered the new technology which put our tickets directly on to our bus passes, and headed for the west end.

Oran Mor itself was chilly, but after our pie and pint, and with the auditorium filling up, it began to get warmer. It was difficult to believe that it had been three years since we had been there, it felt just like yesterday. How the time has flown!

The pantomime, Rab Hood & The Sheriff of Shettleston, was excellent, with Ayrshire’s George Drennan brilliant as the dame. One of the best, if not the best, panto we’ve been to. The journey to Glasgow in the cold had been well worth it.

The Walk

Davie M, Hugh, Paul, Robert, Jimmy

We gathered at Davie's for some Christmas cheer in the form of mince pies and coffee.  Many thanks to both Davie and Kay for their hospitality.  Davie assures us he was up at 6.30 to bake the pies.

It was with more than a little reluctance that we finally ventured out of the warmth of Davie's hoose into the Baltic air. -8C had been registered on car thermometers.  David was able to offer a two and half hour walk or a three and a half hour one (he doesn't do miles).  It will come as no surprise, given the chill that we opted for the shorter one.

We scrunched across Morton Park and were soon wending our way through the Lanfine Estate, halting to observe seven contented boars and musing on the egg-laying habits of peacocks.  

It has to be said: Davie's choice of walk was inspired.  It was relentlessly uphill.  Perfect for getting the blood pumping. We made short work of the 200 m ascent and came out on the back road to Galston at Kieland(s).  Davie pointed out the alternative spellings on the signs at the farm.

We turned left onto the tarmac to discover that this walk had some downhill sections too. In no time at all we were at a junction with a track to Richardton Farm and a sign "Darvel via Richardton and Ranoldcoup Bridge 1 mile."  This tempted at least one of our number but we kept to the tarmac, coming out at Bransfield Bridge where we left the road to follow a pleasant woodland track alongside the Gower Water.  At the end of this track we were back on tarmac and took our coffee break on the new metal bridge - even Google Earth still show the old stone arched bridge.  Whilst resting here a chap walking down from Priestland stopped for a blether.  He turned out to be a keen walker, still up for the bigger hills, and he stunned us by saying he was 82 years old. There's hope for us yet!

Once the flasks had been packed away it was a short walk back to Davie's.  Two and a half hours as promised.  10 kms.  We didn't linger since we had our various hairdresser and nail salon appointments to get to.

(Paul)

The Curry

We left Ian in Glasgow and returned to Kilmarnock, in a warm bus, for a refreshment in the First Edition before making our way across to the Jewel for our Christmas curry. Thirteen were in attendance, seven of the above plus Davie Mc, Hugh, Jimmy, Paul, and Robert, who had done a Darvel walk earlier in the day. We were also pleased to see Iain join us after a long absence.

The restaurant took a while to warm up, but the food was good and, as always, we were well served by Catriona and her assistant. Word must have got round Kilmarnock that there was free entertainment on offer at the Jewel as it became busier and busier. In fact, the busiest we’ve seen it. At the end of our meal Darling Davie made a wee speech to thank Catriona and presented her with a copy of the Ooters calendar. A collector’s item, I may add! The chorus of the Ooters song followed, which seemed to please everyone there. Not only did the other customers not mind, but methinks they actually enjoyed the atmosphere.

We took our leave about ten to seven with some heading back to the First Edition and others making their way home.

Another thoroughly enjoyable pre-cursor to Christmas!