Girvan to Maidens 19th March

 

Alan McQ, Allan, Dougie, Graham, Gus, Hugh, Jimmy, Johnny, Malcolm, Rex

It was a beautiful morning as we met at Maidens for our bus to Girvan, but the breeze still had an edge to it meaning that hats, jackets and some gloves were still in play. The bus was five minutes late, but we were at Girvan Harbour before eleven o’clock and set off on our walk round the harbour and out to the golf course before eventually cutting through Girvan Mains farm to get to the path by the beach. At the farm we did notice a huge pile of tatties which, no doubt, were to be used to feed the cattle. The things you learn when you’re out with the Ooters!

Further along the path we chose to stop for coffee, a later stop than usual due to our later starting time. Soon we were off again and came to the cottage where a few could remember an altercation years ago with the lady owner who had ‘advised’ them that they should not be walking in front of the cottage but behind it. Today we found the diversion sign that told us to use the path along the field edge. No path though! The field had been planted with tatties so we had to walk between the rows before we could get on to the beach. Not a nice smooth one with hard sand, but one covered in pebbles, cobbles and boulders. Negotiating this was a challenge but after fifteen minutes or so the going got a bit easier. Underfoot was still taxing as the sandy surface was not too firm, but with the lighthouse at Turnberry in sight we ploughed on. The funny thing about the lighthouse was that although it had been in sight for some time it didn’t seem to be getting any closer! Anyway, lunch was called for, and although it was a quick lunch stop, we nevertheless enjoyed sitting down and admiring the view across the water.

As we approached Turnberry, and some very soft sand, we were unable to cross the Milton Burn so we retraced our steps for a hundred yards and found the path, which we probably should have taken in the first place, which takes you to a bridge over the burn. Decision time. To turn left and go back to the beach and walk up to the lighthouse, or go right, and to the main road and walk along the pavement all the way back to Maidens. There was no dissent when the latter option was chosen as we had had enough of walking on soft sand today. It is fair to say that hotel, the golf courses, and the surroundings were looking magnificent in the sunshine.

It was about half past two when the stragglers arrived back at the cars having covered the eight and a half miles (some said nine), in three and a half hours. For most of us this had been the first time we had done this walk and the challenging underfoot conditions meant that it wouldn’t be one we would necessarily rush to do again.

A much-deserved FRT was taken at the Balgarth where we could not be accommodated inside (it looked as though they wanted to keep the tables for those buying food) and hence we took up residence in the beer garden. We enjoyed our drinks, but it wasn’t too comfortable as it was just a tad too cold to be sitting outside. Anyway, the banter and the laughs rounded off a good, but challenging, day out.