Greenock Cut 26 July

 

Alan McQ, Allan, Davie C, Hugh, Ian, Jimmy*, Johnny, Malcolm, Robert

Having assembled at the car park on the Seamill road, we motored up towards the Greenock Cut in the expectation that the access road would be open. Robert was well ahead of us, as you might expect, and as Davie’s and Malcolm’s cars drove up from the main road, they were met by Robert coming back down telling us that the road was still shut. There was another route though, and he would wait at the road end whilst the other two cars turned around. The air was blue when it was discovered that he had failed to wait, but Allan had a notion of the road to take and, to cut a long story short, or to cut a long road for a shortcut short, Drumfrochar station was found and then the Old Largs Road was taken. By this circuitous route up to Loch Thom, Cornalees was reached at about twenty-five past ten, and we found Ian waiting for us. ‘Ah forgot’, said Robert. Anyway, pelters were given and received.

It was a grand day for a walk, and we set off anti-clockwise, passing the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders’ memorial and then climbing the hill until the Firth of Clyde came into view, and it was downhill to our usual coffee stop. The views were excellent, and Malcolm produced large portions of cake for us all to get stuck into.

On the way down from here Isla managed to get stuck behind a wire fence but our new dog whisperer, Alan, managed to coax her back on to the track. Once on the Cut path, the going was easy with the only thing to worry about being the copious amounts of sheep droppings on the path, but it was soon time to think about lunch. Robert, at the front again, had stopped at a spot he said was the usual spot, but the rest disagreed and marched on leaving only Hugh to keep him company. The recognised lunch spot was reached ten minutes later where a relaxing break was had.

As the main party was preparing to set off again, the other two caught up and we started the last leg of our walk back to the car park reaching there after three hours and four minutes, according to our Derval timekeeper, and having covered seven and a half miles, according to the technology on Alan’s and Malcolm’s wrists.

We took the Old Largs Road (Brisbane Glen) back to Largs with some still bearing the mental scars of the last time we used it. This time the travelling was much easier with only a few oncoming vehicles to contend with, and Largs was reached without mishap. However, trying to find a place to park was not so easy given how busy the resort was. No matter, we were soon all settled at the sitooterie at Drouthy Neebors where a pleasant time was spent.

A satisfying day out, eventually!

*Belated recognition and thanks to our own Milky Bar Kid for producing the Mars Bar which revived wee Davie last week. We look forward to the rest of us getting one provided the next time we are out!