Portencross 2nd October

Alan McQ, Allan, Davie C, Dougie, Gus, Hugh, Jimmy, Johnny, Paul, Robert

The weather was sunny, but with a wee, cold wind, as we set off at 9.50am, having assured ourselves that no-one else was coming. From the car park at Portencross we went in a clockwise direction, passing the castle and then the power stations, both currently being decommissioned. As we made our way along the road, we noticed that there was no longer a ‘bubble’ in the water i.e. the outlet from the station, but some did observe the new ferry, ‘Glen Sannox’, out on her sea trials. Before long we found the gate on our right which took us to today’s coffee spot, a series of large stones just before the main access road to Hunterston.

It was about twenty past eleven when we moved on, crossing the road and then following the cycle/bridle path until we stopped at a minor road on our right, just beyond the entrance to Hunterston Castle. Alan had come equipped with a map and he pointed out that this was the route to Goldenberry Hill. Allan, Dougie, Johnny and Robert decided to continue on the ‘traditional’ low-level road, observing as they did, what appeared to be some serious electricity infrastructure that had been recently built. They continued on the weel-kent route and were back at the cars by twenty-five to one, in nice time for lunch.

The others followed what was a well-defined path up to the top of the hill before descending to the car park via Ardneil Farm. The view from the top was excellent and the consensus was that this was a straightforward climb with the only obstacles, for some, being a number of gates, lots of cows and an electric fence. Shocking! Otherwise, no issues at all. They arrived back about ten minutes after the first group with both groups having covered about seven miles. Once all had finished lunch, we continued to the Lauriston in Ardrossan for FRT in their sports bar. We were the only customers and, while we enjoyed our drinks, the copious televisions showed motorbike racing followed by baseball, a subject about which Paul was able to provide a masterclass to those around him.

Despite it being a tpd, we were on our way home by half-past two, having enjoyed our day out and having added another option to the Portencross circle.