Croy to Culzean 9th October

 

 

Alan McQ, Allan, Davie C, Dougie, Jimmy, Johnny, Malcolm, Rex, Robert

The morning was dry and bright with little prospect of  rain as we set off along the beach from the bottom car park at Croy towards Culzean. It was cool with some donning gloves for the first time in a while, but the walking was easy with great views of of Arran and Ailsa Craig as well as the castle itself. The only problem encountered was a stretch of soft, decaying seaweed which we negotiated with care, noting to stay a bit higher on the way back to avoid it.

At the approaches to the castle Alan, Jimmy and Rex decided to go and have a look at the caves whilst the rest made their way to their coffee spot at the shelter adjacent to the battery. After ten minutes they were joined by the others who were disappointed as the gates were locked and they couldn’t gain access.

When all had been refreshed it was time to move on to the swan pond with Davie and his minders taking the direct path with the others choosing the cliff walk. Meeting up again there was some talk of going on to Maidens but most favoured a leisurely walk around the park and with the autumn colours just beginning to show we followed Alan up the road before deviating into the woods on the right to follow a path which would take us, with a nice wee diversion, to the shelter in the walled garden for lunch.

From the walled garden we made our way up to the courtyard and stopped briefly to allow Jimmy and Malcolm to have a look in the bookshop before retracing our steps back to the cars.

Three and a half hours and nearly seven miles were today’s stats for, what proved to be, a very pleasant walk.

FRT was taken in the Anchorage at Dunure where Davie generously bought the first round to celebrate his 69th birthday. Thanks, Davie. As often happens the Ooters had a word of the day and today’s word was ‘salivating’ which was introduced by Alan and which was then used and misused to great laughter as the afternoon wore on. There was a second contender for word of the day but the least said the better!

Another good day out!