Croy to Culzean 19th August

 

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

All made it to the car park at Croy shore in plenty of time on what was forecast to be a wet day. It was dry when we arrived but, by the time we set off, the rain had started. It continued to rain quite heavily for the first half hour by which time we had reached Maybole shore, and with the rain abating we stopped to consider our options. Given the conditions there was little point in our more adventurous members going up Mochrum Hill, and with the option of going on to Maidens receiving little support it was decided just to go into Culzean. However, Alan offered an alternative route into the park by going up the road from here, past the wee car park and on to the old railway line which would take us to Culzean.

This sounded fine, but the reality was a bit different as when we left the road, we entered an overgrown path, thick with bracken and nettles before becoming a bit easier as we moved through the woods. For wee Davie and Dougie this section had the feeling of déjà vu about it given their adventures a couple of weeks ago! Where was the old railway line we asked. Apparently, we blinked and we missed it!  Anyway, we all eventually emerged adjacent to the car park and headed for our coffee stop at the courtyard. Well, most of us did but Alan, Derval Davie, Paul and Peter continued up to the shelter in the garden below the castle for their stop. 

 

The main group moved on to find the others, and did so, but with the rain starting again didn’t wait for them but went to the shelter at the Battery and took an early lunch…only twenty minutes or so after finishing coffee. The foursome caught up with us and Paul joined us but the other three continued toward the Swan Pond in ever-brightening conditions. Having finished lunch, we set off to join the others but as we were halfway round the pond we met them coming towards us, and after a brief discussion, it was greed that all would simply retrace their steps back to the castle from there.

No jungle adventure this time, as we descended the steps to the Gas House, although Jimmy did take a tumble on the slippy stones. The walk back along the beach was relatively straightforward with the stones and seaweed being negotiated more easily than in the past and by half past one we were back at the cars having covered seven miles.

Dunure was the chosen location for FRT and we eventually made it there after having been held up on the road by a farmer trying to move his cattle from his farm buildings along the road to a field. The hostelry was busy and we couldn’t get our normal spot inside, so we sat outside at the picnic benches enjoying the warm afternoon sunshine. The forecast had been for heavy rain by early afternoon, but the opposite had happened with the sun coming out and the temperature rising. A convivial time was had as usual and your scribe has been asked to point out, that for once, the Killie boys were first in the queue for drinks as usually they are at the coo’s tail waiting for someone of smallish stature to get changed and pamper himself after a walk!

N.B. No Wednesday walk next week as the Ooters will be attending fellow Ooter Jim Dinnett’s funeral.

More images from the Culzean walk

 

Some images of the walk between Croy and Culzean

Arrangements for Wednesday 2nd September

Hareshaw Hill 

Meet at Glenbuck for walk up Hareshaw Hill. Alternative low-level walk along the River Ayr Way towards Muirkirk.

Darvel, Newmilns, Galston 12th August

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

The very warm weather continued as we met at the Square in Darvel for our scheduled walk to Galston.  Making our way down to the entrance to Lanfine estate at the Ranoldcoup bridge we paused to consider where Gus had got to. In fact, he had gone ahead and was waiting for us at the wild boar enclosure, and there were many young boars (piglets) to be seen. The pace was easy and there was plenty of shade from the trees as we moved up the road and stopped at the bridge over the burn. Just before it, there was a path off to the left which, as seems to be the norm these days, some i.e. Alan McQ, Dougie, Gus, Jimmy, Paul and Rex decided to take to make the walk a bit more challenging.

 

The rest continued towards Newmilns and stopped for coffee at the gates leading on to Brown’s Road. Thereafter it was a short walk into Newmilns, past the Old Man’s Cabin and then to Brown Street and the riverside path. The going was sensible, but the heat was getting oppressive, so on arriving at the sports ground in Galston at ten past twelve, the eight sat down on the wee banking for a welcome lunch break. As they were finishing their pieces, spots of rain began to fall and, by the time rain jackets had been dug out and put on, the light shower had gone off. On the way to the bus stop there was another wee shower, but it came to nothing. Within a few minutes the bus arrived and delivered them back to Darvel, and the Black Bull, at about one o’clock having covered five and a half miles on the walk.

 

Ten minutes later the six arrived having followed the path through the woods up to the tarmac and then taken the road down to Newmilns emerging just before the Cabin. They then had crossed the main street and had gone up Dalwhatswood Road past the ski slope and cemetery, a challenging climb especially in the heat, and had done the loop, coming back down to Darvel via Fulpapple Road and Burn Road. Their distance must have been eight miles or so.

We all sat inside at the pub as it was cooler and where, as usual, a relaxing time was had. A day out to suit all aspirations.

Some images from the Irvine Valley walk

 

 

Arrangements for Wednesday 19th August

 Croy to Culzean

Meet at the lower car park at Croy shore for a walk to Culzean Country Park. Option of continuing to Maidens or a climb up Mochrum Hill.

Knock Hill 5th August

 

Alan, Allan, Davie C, Dougie, Gus, Kenny R, Paul, Robert

It was a warm, dry but overcast morning as we met in Largs and, with the threat of rain, we wasted no time in setting off. A brief discussion took place as to whether to attempt Knock Hill or choose a low- level walk but the majority opted for the hill and so all made their way along the promenade towards Brisbane Glen Road. Those at the front, Gus, Kenny, Paul and Robert, and we were well spread out even by this time, must have been so engrossed in conversation that they continued up to the boating pond and, on reaching the main road realised that they were facing the road that they should come back down, No matter, Paul led them up through the houses to join the correct road and up to the track to Brisbane Mains Farm where they caught up with the others.

Unfortunately, at this point the rain came, and it was heavy enough for twenty minutes or so before it slackened and then went off. Having passed the farm building we took a coffee stop at our usual place in the shelter of some trees at the side of the path.

Fifteen minutes later we were off again following what was quite an overgrown track, and given the recent rains, the going underfoot was a bit wet, but we emerged from the overgrown section and headed for the foot of the hill. The light drizzle we had just encountered had given way to some blue skies and we had an unexpected clear view up the Firth of Clyde. Gus and Paul chose to go straight up the hill whilst Alan, Allan, Kenny and Robert took to the spiral path and met the other two coming down at the path to the golf course. It has to be said that the spiral path also was overgrown and was in need of some TLC. The six then fought their way cautiously down through head high bracken, brambles and gorse before emerging on to the course and making contact by phone with Davie and Dougie, well Dougie of course.

Not wanting to do the hill, Davie had been sure that there was a path round the bottom of the hill so set off, with Dougie in tow, to find it. The path soon ran out, but they decided to continue through the bracken and boggy ground in the hope of finding the path the rest were on. When contacted Dougie stated that they were struggling but couldn’t help laughing as Davie, for the umpteenth time, had fallen and was trying to extricate himself from the bog. He said they would catch us up eventually. For your information, Davie wasn’t exactly dressed for a jungle exploration with trainers and shorts, although he did have his waterproof socks on!

The six marched on over the golf course and on to Routenburn Road which took them down to the main road, which they crossed, and then took lunch in the shelter by the boating pond. It was ten to one at this point and contact again was made with Dougie. Davie and he had made it as far as a gate and fence beyond which was a field next to the golf course. Problem was that Davie couldn’t get over it, so they were going to have a bite to eat and then retrace their steps. They may be some time!

The guys made their way to Wetherspoons for FRT but Gus took his car up to the entrance to Brisbane Mains Farm and awaited the weary two who eventually appeared and were glad of the lift back to Largs. Well done, Gus! They weren’t as late as some had feared but it was still after half past two when they appeared to join the rest in a pleasant afternoon.

The walk is normally seven miles or so and the weather had been better than anticipated leading to a good day out, at least for six of us, and it was good to have Kenny back with us. The Adventures of the Early Ooters right enough!