Falls of Clyde 30th October

 

Alan McQ, Allan, Davie C, Dougie, Graham, Gus, Hugh, Ian, Jimmy, Johnny, Malcolm, Paul, Rex, Robert

There was an excellent turnout at Kirkfieldbank, given the dreich morning, with Ian having made the journey to meet up with us again. Good to see him! The Kilmarnock charabanc had been delayed by traffic lights at the Garrion Bridges (the rest had come by Kirkmuirhill, encountering a fair bit of mist and drizzle) so it was after ten past ten when we set off on an anticlockwise direction towards the Falls of Clyde. The first part of the path was soft and boggy, but it soon dried up as we made our way upwards. The drizzle was well gone by this time, and it wasn’t long before layers were being shed in the mild conditions. We had missed the best of the colours, and the overcast skies didn’t help, but the ground was covered in golden leaves which contributed well to our autumnal walk.

Whether by accident or design, our leaders for the day stayed on the high path for much longer than usual before stopping at a junction to try and verify where they were. Down to the left or straight on? After a brief discussion and a check with the hand-held gizmos, it was straight on. At least for a couple of minutes before it was agreed we should have gone left. We retraced our steps and went down until we met the path we should have been on earlier. No harm done, we stopped for coffee opposite the power station at about twenty past eleven.

There was little water flowing over the Falls, not the torrents we have seen in the past, so the photos weren’t as dramatic, but it was good to reach our cross-over point at the dam/weir at midday. Just beyond here we encountered a young female ranger and her volunteers who were maintaining the footpath. After having a brief discussion, and after having dragged Robert away, it was time to move on down to lunch at New Lanark. As we sat, the sun came out, but before we knew it there were drops of rain falling. Thankfully, it came to nothing, but it encouraged us to get on with the final leg of our journey, taking the Clyde Walkway as we left New Lanark. The final challenge was the steep zig-zag climb up from the river, but all made it without mishap and from there it was downhill to the path (the one which was flooded a couple of years ago and caused us to amend our walk) and then on to the cars which were reached about two o’clock. About three hours and fifty minutes for the seven miles.

We bade Ian farewell and made or way to the Black Bull in Darvel for FRT. Joining us for the banter was Derval Davie, still in a lot of discomfort, but hopefully he enjoyed being out with the boys again and, given the large turn-out, the occasion was lively, raucous at times, and full of laughs. In amongst the various discussions that were taking place loudly at the same time, an attempt was made to plan ahead, and some decisions were made, at least we think so. These will be firmed up.

It was about four o’clock when we left the pub and headed home after a long, tiring (for some), but satisfying day out.

Get well soon, Davie!