Davie C, Dougie, Graeme, Gus, Alan M, Hugh, Malcolm, Paul and Rex
We were assembled at Doonfoot in ample time for the 10.30-something bus to Fisherton, Alan having walked from his home.
The bus got us to Fisherton by 10.50 and we were greeted (at least we think they were greeting us) by the massed ranks of children in the primary school playground. In parts the track uphill had been "improved" with a new layer of large chunks of stones - probably ideal for tractors but less so for pedestrians. Half way up there was a halt to observe the wonders of ovine nature. It looked as if the "red" ram had some catching up to do on the "yellow" one.
By 11.50 it was time for a coffee break, which was taken on the banks of the unnamed lochan where we have halted on previous walks. From there we headed to the boundary fence which we followed to the fire break. This stretch was very boggy and there were a few complaints of wet feet. As he steadied himself through one of the muddy patches by gripping a strand of wire on the fence, your scribe brushed his hand against the top strand, barbed, and drew blood. The caring Ooters rallied round and Dougie went into Florence Nightingale mode as he took out a plaster from his Crimean War-issue medical kit.
We were soon at the Brown Carrick trig point and we weren't alone since two couples from Glasgow had arrived just ahead of us. We had a long chat. They weren't sure of the best way down and they clearly had never previously heard of the Ooters because they decided to follow us. Alan and Rex did the pathfinding while the rest of us followed on at a distance. They path found well and located all the field gates. At one point a bunch of frisky cattle took up position by one of the gates but fortunately they scarpered as we approached.
Our walking companions bade us farewell at the Heads of Ayr Holiday Park and shortly afterwards we stopped for lunch at the usual benches on the descent to Bracken Bay.
It's a 3 km walk along the shore to Greenan, beneath the majestic Heads of Ayr and a busy Craig Tara Holiday Park. It was a close run thing getting around the last corner into Greenan Bay, with the rising tide lapping out our feet, but we made it. There was now a schism - Alan, Paul, Gus and Rex opting to climb up to Greenan Castle and the others taking the road direct to the A719. Both groups arrived back at the cars at roughly the same time - 3.10 pm.
It had been an enjoyable, varied walk on a decent day - it was windy on Brown Carrick but otherwise the weather had been good to us.
Malcolm and your scribe had other pressing engagements so gave FRT a miss but no doubt a pleasant hour of drink and banter was enjoyed at the Balgarth.
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