Failford 31st December

Allan, Davie Mc, Dougie, Gus, Hugh, Jimmy, Malcolm, Paul, Robert

It was an overcast but dry morning at Failford with there being a thaw from the frosty conditions of the last day or two. We were ready to go at five to ten, so off we set on the familiar path up the river Ayr gorge. No visit to Peden’s pulpit today as we continued to the steps down to the river’s edge. Normally the group splits here with some choosing to stay high but all were of a mind to go down today before eventually climbing back up to emerge at the bench, our coffee spot and turning point. Malcolm produced some of Anne’s wee sausage rolls to our delight and we were well re-energised for the walk back.

We stayed high on the return before coming back down to our starting point and reaching the cars just after half past eleven. A short but enjoyable walk of three miles and, because it was early, there was no FRT for the second week running. Instead, we headed home for what was left of Hogmanay.

A’ the best to everyone!

Arrangements for 7th January

Meet at Annbank Bowling Club, or close by, at 10am for a walk to the Burns/Wallace monument. Choice of long way or short way.

Arrangements for 31st December

 Meet at Failford at 10am for a walk up the gorge to the bench and back. Two hours or so.

Sorn to Catrine 24th December

 Allan, Davie Mc, Gus, Malcolm, Robert

Only five Ooters were released from domestic duties for a walk from Sorn to Catrine on a lovely, bright Christmas eve. It made such a difference to be walking in dry conditions after recent poor Wednesdays but, as might be expected, the riverside path was muddier than we had seen it before. Nonetheless, progress was good and we reached Peter’s house about quarter to eleven and were happy to see him come out and join us at the square whilst we took our snack.

There was talk about extending the walk given the excellent overhead conditions but, in the event, we stuck to our original plan and turned back from there. Peter accompanied us as far as the bridge over the river at Daldorch before turning back, and he did so with our very best wishes.

Retracing our steps along the riverside path, mainly to accommodate Isla, we arrived at the cars at quarter to twelve having covered four miles. A most pleasant wee walk indeed!

A Merry Christmas And A Happy, Healthy, Peaceful New Year To All!

 

Pre Christmas walk.

 Meet in the Sorn church car park at 10.00.a.m. for a short walk along the river to Catrine and back.

Darvel and Curry 17th December

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

It was yet another dour, dreich rainy morning as we met at Davie’s in Darvel for coffee and mince pies. Many thanks again to Kay and Davie for their hospitality and it was good to see Kay recovering well from her leg-break.

Given the conditions there was no dissent to altering the proposed walk to one nearer to Davie’s and having some shelter, so his idea of doing the avenues walk was well-received and with the promise that it would only take an hour and a half or so we got ready for the off. Fortunately, it had dried up by this time, and we made our way to the gate into Lanfine and up the path past the boars. The weather was holding out at this point, but before too long umbrellas were up as we took the road down towards Newmilns. Given the rain that had fallen over recent days and weeks we were glad that our chosen walk today was on firm ground as the fields around were saturated.

Having come down to the outskirts on Newmilns we followed the riverside path back towards Darvel in worsening conditions reaching the cars at about half-past eleven having covered nearly four and a half miles. Quickly trying to get changed and dried out, we set off for home in anticipation of our Christmas curry at the Jewel later in the day.

 

Those above were joined by Alan, Billy, Graham, Kenny T, and Peter for the six o’clock start at the restaurant. It was just as well that we enjoyed each other’s company as we had a while to wait for our starters and then our main courses, but the food was enjoyable when it came. Katrina had to hold the fort catering to the needs of seventeen of us and another table of ten until Lucy arrived to help well after seven. As per usual we ended the evening with Killie Davie leading us in the Ooters’ song before most heading off for a nightcap in Wetherspoon’s. Although starting earlier than normal at the Jewel, it was still nearly ten o’clock when we got there, rounding off a very convivial evening.

 

Some from today's wander in the Valley

 

Knockroon to Dumfries House 12th December

 

The Ooters they like sunshine, the Ooters they like sna’

But these dreich and dour conditions, they cannae hack at a’

Wi’ flooded paths, mud and glaur, driving rain and a’

Ye get tae the pub early wi’ the Ooters

 

Allan, Davie C, Davie Mc, Dougie, Graham, Gus, Jimmy, Johnny, Malcolm, Paul, Rex, Robert

It had rained heavily on the way to Knockroon but, by the time we were ready to set off to Dumfries House, it had gone off leaving a chilly wind. Davie and Isla went towards Auchinleck before cutting down through the overgrown path whilst Jimmy led the rest to the new school and out behind it on to the Lugar path, which was thankfully dry.

Davie was waiting for us at the underpass, and we were in good spirits as the weather was improving, so we headed to our usual coffee spot in the arboretum and enjoyed a fifteen-minute break during which a decision was made to carry on to the A-frame. However, we were thwarted as, after a couple of hundred yards, the path was flooded to the extent that even our most intrepid members agreed that we would turn back.

Jimmy suggested walking up the path to the Temple Gate so, like the Grand Old Duke of York, he marched us up to the top of the hill and then marched us down again. Next stop was the walled garden where we found some shelter and took an early lunch.

There was some talk of visiting the crucifix but, in the end, all decided to take the quickest way back to the cars which was good news for Graham who was struggling with sore ankles. Back at the underpass most turned left to take the track up along Auchinleck Burn whilst Davie, Rex and Johnny went straight on retracing Davie’s earlier route. Just as we thought we had won a watch with the weather, the rain started again and the main group got a soaking walking along the main road back to Knockroon, but our luck changed, as the rain went off when we reached there allowing us to get changed in dry conditions.

FRT was taken in the Black Bull in Mauchline where, as usual, the sausage rolls were most welcome. Thanks again, folks.

Despite the fifteen minutes driving rain, it had been a good day out, all things considered, with the six and a half miles or so done in three hours, including all the stops.

Arrangements for 17th December

Meet at Derval Davie's at 9.30 for coffee and scones. Then we motor towards Loudoun Hill and walk back to Darvel. Two hours says our local sage. Christmas curry in the evening.

Some images from the Dumfries House walk

 

New arrangements for Wednesday 10th December

 Knockroon to Dumfries House

Given a forecast of high winds and rain the Monday club have changed the proposed walk to a walk from Knockroon to Dumfries House and possibly to the A Frame. Meet at 10am.

Glasgow 3rd December

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

The day hadn’t started well, not just because of the rain, but major delays on the M77, caused by an accident, meant that the proposed 10am starting time for the guided tour wasn’t going to happen. Fortunately, our guide for today, Kevin Scott (Walking Glasgow), was also delayed, so we were able to have a coffee in the Counting House after all.

It was about quarter past when all were assembled, and the rain had gone off, that we got under way and as it was a tour of ‘Secret Glasgow’ we can’t disclose too much about it other than starting off in George Square we headed down to the Clyde, then along to Glasgow Green, up the Saltmarket and High Street, through Strathclyde University, and back down to George Square. Kevin was very knowledgeable and offered us copious amounts of facts along the full length of the walk as well as entertaining us with some of his stories.

We thanked him for his efforts, and he was given a contribution to RNLI funds as a token of our appreciation. We had covered about four and a half miles in approximately two and three-quarter hours in fine weather and headed to the Crystal Palace for lunch and FRT.

As we were about to leave at quarter past three Paul was able to tell us that those travelling by train to Irvine, Troon, Prestwick and Ayr were about to be disappointed as the trains were ‘aff’ due to issues on the line. This affected a fair number of us today and led to various alternatives being used, with some being lucky and others being unlucky in terms of getting home reasonably on time e.g. the Irvine boys travelling by bus getting home at six o’clock and some of the Prestwick/Ayr guys, who had managed to get on a train at half-past four, were stuck on the line for an age, before finally getting to Ayr at half-six.

We had endured the worst of public transport today and hopefully have used up all our bad luck for a while to come. Nevertheless, the time in Glasgow itself was very sociable, and we look forward to having another day of culture of some description in the coming year.

Arrangements for Wednesday 10th December

Croy to Culzean

Meet at the lower car park at Croy Shore for a walk to Culzean Country Park.

Largs to Kelburn 26th November

 

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

 

If it wasnae for the Ooters where would you be?

Having a cup of coffee or a nice wee cup of tea

Instead, we’re up at Largs getting a soaking by the sea

Isn’t life a blast wi’ the Ooters?

 

By the time we arrived in Largs the forecast rain had arrived, and the sensible decision was made that we would walk to Kelburn and then return. It was a six-brolly day as we set off but soon all were taken down as the wind had whipped up as we moved along the promenade and towards the ‘Pencil’. We had the briefest of stops here before continuing past the marina and up the access road to Kelburn. We considered going into the café as a wee treat, given the conditions, but were saddened to see that it only opened Thursday to Sunday, so we made do with the sheltered area under the canopy in the courtyard for coffee.

 

There was some thought about just turning back from there but an inspection of a map showing the layout of Kelburn indicated an out and back route going up the glen beside the burn to a waterfall and this is what we chose to do. Even in the poor conditions it was quite picturesque, but it wasn’t a day for standing around and admiring the scenery, even though there was some shelter from the elements, and before too long we arrived at the bridge over the burn. Most crossed over and took a higher route back down to the castle whilst Davie and his minders retraced their steps to rejoin the others at the aforesaid Kelburn Castle bedecked in its now famous, or infamous, multi-coloured murals.

By this time the steady rain had increased in intensity, and we were well and truly soaked by the time we arrived at the covered shelter at the seafront for lunch. It was only a hop, a skip and a jump back to the cars but there was no point in trying to get changed in the pouring rain, so we made our way to the Drouthy Neebors for FRT. Fortunately, the pub was quiet and we had the back room to ourselves which afforded us to dry off clothes and for some to get changed in the toilet. Our chancellor decided to open the purse strings to the Ooters welfare budget and ordered up four plates of chips to cheer us up, and very good chips they were!

Despite the conditions, (it had been the wettest day we’ve had in a long time), the hour and a half spent in the pub lifted the spirits immeasurably and we set off for home in good cheer despite it still lashing down. For the record we had done a tad over six miles in two and three-quarter hours.