Knock Hill 23 August

Alan, Allan, Davie C, Dougie, Graham, Gus, Hugh, Ian, Jimmy, Johnny, Kenny R, Paul, Rex

The weather dried up as we assembled beside the Gogo Burn in Largs for our trip up to Knock Hill. The route was the familiar one along the promenade and up Douglas Road and then on to Brisbane Glen Road.

The turn-off to the track up the hill was soon reached, and layers were removed as, although overcast, it was not cold. As usual, we were going at a fair old pace up the track, and the farm was soon passed by on our way to our coffee stop. It had been an hour since we had set off and we were ready for our break, but as Allan took a bite of his piece, he noticed that Johnny was staggering and seemed to be on the point of collapse. He managed to get a hold of him and, with Dougie’s help, got him sat down. Johnny said he was OK, but we weren’t convinced and after refusing some food and one of Davie’s sugary sweets, he eventually took some water. He was in no state to continue so Alan formulated a plan. He would walk back to his car and bring it up to the road-end, if we could get Johnny down to meet him there. This was not so good a plan as it was pointed out to Alan that his car was in Kilmarnock! It comes to us all!

The better plan, and it was a cunning plan, was that Allan would march back to his car and bring it up to the farm where Johnny could be picked up. By the time Allan was driving back up Brisbane Glen Road he saw Johnny being escorted by his carers, Alan, Davie, and Hugh, coming to meet him. He had recovered enough to start the downward journey with the help of the threesome. Allan got him into his car and took him home by which time he was almost back to normal. He treated Allan to the online version of the ‘National’ newspaper (the SNP supporting publication) but, as he was still in recovery mode, Allan didn’t mention the ferries. Glad to say he was in reasonable spirits as Allan left.

His carers’ plan was to continue down into Largs for lunch, and an earlier visit to the pub than they had expected. Funnily enough, they were not disheartened by that idea.

The rest of the guys completed the hill walk, returning via the golf course, before heading for FRT.

After many years of problem-free walking, we’ve had a few issues lately, an indication probably that time is marching on. All-the-more reason to make sure we go at a sensible pace, we stick together, and we have plenty of view stops.