28th August Eglinton Park and Curry

The Walk

Alan McQ, Allan, Davie C, Davie Mc, Dougie, Gus, Hugh, Jimmy, Johnny, Kenny R, Malcolm, Paul

This was a ‘curry day’ meaning a walk round Eglinton Park would suffice, and so we met up in the car park on a mild but overcast morning. Our route took us down to the bridge over the Lugton Water adjacent to the ford and from here we went round the loch and headed towards the Sourlie end of the park where we turned and took a break at the standing stones to allow Killie Davie to have a snack. From here we made our way back to the visitors’ centre, avoiding the more direct path in order to keep Isla away from the traffic noise, and in doing so encountering some serious mud (not entirely unexpected given the amount of rain that had fallen recently), before rejoining our outward path for a short time but taking a left to avoid going round the loch again. Arriving at the café about twenty past eleven, most took their coffee/pieces in the courtyard, whilst a few sat inside, having bought their snack.

The majority was in favour of continuing the walk and set off down towards the suspension bridge, which they crossed, and continued over the road before completing a clockwise loop back to the cars. Some parts were again very muddy, but the weather had improved after a wee bit of rain back at the café, and the sun had come out. The minority had called it a day after the stop at the café and had headed home.

The Curry 

In the evening, we met at the Jewel to celebrate the seventieth birthdays of Billy and Gus. Happy birthday guys, and we wish you many more of them! Kenny couldn’t make the meal, but we were joined by Alan, Billy, Rex, Robert and Ronnie for the usual night of food, drink, banter and laughs. Killie Davie presented the birthday boys with a card and pressie from the Ooters. Thanks again to Katrina and her assistant for their forbearance. The night ended with most heading for a very quiet Wetherspoon’s (the Jewel had also been quieter than normal with almost no takeaways being delivered) where a very happy Robert treated us to a round to celebrate his prospective house sale.

All in all, a most enjoyable day.