Largs to Fairlie 1st October

 

Alan, Alan McQ, Allan, Davie C, Johnny, Rex, and a fleeting visit from Paul

There had been torrential overnight rain, and it continued on our journey to Largs, so much so that we never gave Knock Hill a thought and even considered going for a coffee and waiting to see if the rain was to abate. Paul arrived and immediately discovered that he had forgot to pack his waterproof jacket so decided just to go home. Unfortunately for him, the road conditions had deteriorated to such an extent that some roads had been closed, meaning that he had a tortuous journey home visiting some parts of North Ayrshire he hadn’t been to before and probably didn’t want to visit again.

By just after ten o’clock though the rain did go off and we strode out towards Fairlie, crossing over the raging torrent that was the Gogo burn, before stopping for a few minutes at the ‘Pencil’. The path obviously had some large puddles on it but all-in-all the going was good although we were into a breeze, and the skies were still laden. Reaching our turning point at the picnic benches at the far side of Fairlie it was decided that it was too windy and wet (the rain had started again) to have our pieces there so we retraced our steps fifty metres or so to some benches adjacent to an old wooden boathouse where we got some shelter. Unluckily for us the rain got heavier as we sat so we didn’t delay and set off on our return journey. The rain got heavier but by the time we were leaving Fairlie it had stopped for good this time, and although there was only six of us, we still managed to get well strung out along the footpath. It was ten to one when we got back having covered seven miles and at least it was dry whilst we got changed.

FRT was taken in Wetherspoon’s where we treated ourselves to some chips as well as the usual refreshments. This had been a better day than we could have hoped for earlier in the morning and we enjoyed having got off our chair, got oot the door and gone a walk wi’ the Ooters!

Arrangements for Wednesday 8th October

Craufurdland 

Meet at the Dean Park for a walk to the Laird's Table at Craufurdland. A short easy walk before our celebratory curry in the evening.

Polo shirts

The polo shirts are now to hand and I'll pass them on at the first opportunity.

For those who have still to pay, you can give me the money on delivery or transfer the money to my bank account. I'll give you the details at the time but basically the same account as for the calendars. (£20 per polo shirt).

Johnny has got his bucket hat and I have a sample of the baseball cap and it is fine. We've ordered more for those who wished to have one and they should be available shortly. Price of caps is £10 each.

 

Loch Doon to Loch Riecawr 24th September

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

We met at Craigmark Burntonians' car park on a lovely morning and there was no dissent to continuing on to Loch Doon castle to do the walk up to Loch Riecawr and back. It was great that Robert could join us again and by 10.15 we were ready to start walking. However, the weather here was different with overcast skies, the hill tops covered on low cloud, and with a distinctly cool temperature. Anyway, it was fine for walking and progress was good along the forest road where we eventually caught up with Derval Davie and Isla. Davie had parked about a mile beyond the castle in order to shorten the walk a bit and save his back from too much discomfort. Isla was glad to see us, no doubt in anticipation of the titbits she could get at coffee and lunch.

As we walked, Alan the Younger proposed a wee detour to the left at a signpost down to a wee waterfall, a good place for coffee. The path had been recently strimmed and it was only two hundred metres after all, so most followed him with some choosing to stay on the road and have coffee further up. The coffee spot met with favour but before too long it was time to move off and all were reunited further down the road. We didn’t take up Alan’s suggestion to make another wee detour to visit the site where the grouse perform their lek but chose to march on to the dam at Loch Riecawr where most stopped for lunch. Four, Alan McQ, Gus, Hugh and Paul, decided to walk further on to the bench at the viewpoint over the loch, a spot well-known to those of us who have done the four lochs walk, and they had their pieces there.

As we retraced our steps after lunch back to the cars the skies lifted, and we were eventually blessed with some warm sunshine. The road itself is closed to all vehicles other than forestry/logging ones, and we were passed by only one truck today, the driver of which knew the combination to the padlock on the gate. We had come across a few cyclists but other than that, thankfully for Isla, we had had the road to ourselves. We were well spread out, but the back markers were at the cars by twenty-five past one with the four who had gone further on only five minutes behind. Eight miles in three hours and ten minutes or so were today’s figures and it was good to get changed in the warmth of the sunshine.

FRT was taken by ten of us, Paul and Robert had gone straight home, at the Dalmellington Inn where a convivial hour was spent, but we were disappointed on leaving to find the sunshine had gone to be replaced with overcast conditions again.

Nonetheless, a good day out!

 

Curry now booked to celebrate Davy and Malcolm’s respective birthdays.

 The Jewel has been booked for 17 persons on Wednesday 8th October at 7.00.p.m. Please let me know in advance of any withdrawal from this celebration. 

Some images of the walk between Lochs Doon and Riecawr

Arrangements for Wednesday 1st October

Knock Hill

Meet in Largs at 10am for the familiar walk up Knock Hill.

Sorn to Ballochmyle Viaduct 17th September

 

Alan, Alan McQ, Allan, Davie C, Davie Mc, Graham, Gus, Hugh, Jimmy, Malcolm, Paul, Rex

For the third week running the Kames walk was postponed in favour of, today, doing the weel-kent walk from Sorn to the Ballochmyle viaduct. The forecast was for improving weather and it was dry at the car park with the forecast proving to be right as we encountered no rain with brightening and warming conditions for the duration.

From our starting point we went left and then over the brig before joining the path up and over the hill. Given the recent rain it was no surprise that parts were running in water, but nothing serious, and we made steady progress down to the riverside path and then into Catrine. We were pleased to meet Peter here and have a blether but, having wished him well, we pushed on along the River Ayr Way until we came to the first flight of steps. Derval Davie considered turning back from here, but he felt OK and decided to continue. The steps need a bit of TLC and with underfoot being slippy and muddy in places, care had to be taken both here and on the other ups and downs of the walk. Indeed, the climbs and descents seem to get harder as the years go on!

Nevertheless, we made our coffee stop under the Howford Bridge where Kille Davie indicated he would be uncomfortable going back the way he had come and, with discretion being the better part of valour, decided that he would simply carry on up the old road and walk to Mauchline where he would get us later. Malcolm, his minder, went with him.

The rest split into two groups for lunch with some settling down at the viaduct whilst the rest went down to the Fishers’ Tryst. By the time we moved on it was well after twelve and since we had separated for lunch, and with little communication, the various groupings headed back on their own before eventually coming together again at Catrine, Some wished the walk could end there but we still had to get back to Sorn with the front runners getting back at five to two and the back markers ten minutes later. Basically, four hours for the eight miles we had covered in good overhead and not too bad underfoot conditions. Isla, minus Davie, was one of the first back and thankfully was none the worse for last week's 'adventure'.

It was very pleasant getting a change of shirt at the cars as by this time we were in warm sunshine, warm enough for us to sit outside at the Black Bull in Mauchline. Malcolm and Davie had been there for over an hour having got back to Mauchline at twenty-five to one, gone for a coffee, and then on to the pub. As usual we were well looked after with sausage rolls and biscuits and we can’t thank the bar staff enough for their hospitality. Jimmy took the opportunity here to sell copies of his new book 'Galloway From Above'. Well worth a look.

A grand day out, and as it happens. we could have done the Kames walk after all, given the benign weather. We’ll get there sometime!

Some from the Sorn to Ballochmyle walk