Cumbrae 29th July

 

Alan, Alan McQ, Allan, Davie C, Dougie, Gus, Johnny, Paul, Rex

The forecast wasn’t good at all, but it was dry and warm at Largs, so we decided to give the Cumbrae walk a go. The Ayr/Prestwick car just made the 9.50am ferry meaning it was nine Ooters today. The first thing was to decide the route and with rain forecast we chose to go up to the Glaid Stone first rather than going round the island. Not long after starting, layers began to be shed given the warmth, and steady progress was made but by the time we made the Glaid Stone at ten past eleven we were well strung out and, with the first signs of moisture arriving, wet weather gear was put on as we finished our coffee break. Given the conditions, the views weren’t good today, but we’ve seen them all before.

There was a drizzle as we walked down into Millport, and yet again, we managed to get ourselves detached from each other with the front markers hitting the Garrison well before the rear gunners. Nobody sat outside today with, as usual, some buying lunch there and others taking their pieces on the seats in the entrance hall. The café itself was busy, mainly because nobody was eating outside, meaning that seats were at a premium and a couple of the Ooters decided just to have their pieces rather than sit down and buy something.

The rain was a wee bit heavier when we left with Alan McQ, Gus, Paul and Rex deciding to go back the way they came and do a Glaid Stone doubler whilst the rest took to Ferry Road. This group were pleased when, on the downward section, the rain went off but within ten minutes it returned and was heavier than it had been. They managed to catch the half past one ferry back to Largs and headed for the Drouthy Neebors to await the others who were not far behind them and must have caught the next ferry at ten to two. According to Johnny, the doublers walked 9.4 miles whilst the others did 7.7 miles.

Although the forecast had been correct with rain moving in, we’ve had a lot worse days and were well protected by a plethora of umbrellas. As usual, a pleasant time was had in the pub although the bar staff need to have a bit more training on how to make coffees. It was a thought to leave but eventually we had to and it was still raining!

 

Arrangements for 5th August

Knock Hill, Largs

Meet at the usual place in Largs for a 10am start. 

Kames to Loch Lapraik/Wellwood 22nd July

 

Allan, Davie C, Davie Mc, Gus, Hugh, Johnny, Malcolm, Paul, Rex

The fine weather continued as we met at Kames although, thankfully, it was a bit cooler this morning. As we left the car park we, unforgivably, missed our normal path, perhaps due to it being a bit overgrown, but were soon back on track, albeit having taken another overgrown grass path. Passing over Tibbie’s Brig, we went straight on rather than following the riverside route and soon came to the wooden steps that lead to the old railway line and a straight road to the loch. It was a fine day and the pace was casual and with only a couple of closed gates to negotiate, easier for some than others, we arrived at the loch (Lapraik or Wellwood depending on who your loyalties lie with, Davie or Jimmy) at ten past eleven and sat down for a leisurely coffee break.

Fifteen minutes later and it was time to move on, but in different directions. Derval Davie, Gus, Paul and Rex decided to go round the loch clockwise and return via the boardwalk whilst the rest took the easier option, considering the increasing temperature, and simply retraced their steps, arriving back at the cars at twenty to one. The last time we did this walk the path was extremely wet and mucky in places but, given the recent dry weather, it had almost dried out completely. Having taken lunch and ascertaining that the others would be some time yet, they headed for the Black Bull in Mauchline to await the foursome.

It was a good hour later that they arrived back having done nine miles compared to the six done by the earlier group and having, on their way back, taken a wrong turning or two. Now, with some wrong turns last week as well, are the Ooters losing it, is it due to the paths being overgrown, or is it due to being involved in the riveting conversations that take place during a walk? Answers on a postcard! Derval Davie was cream-crackered and asked those present to stop him choosing the longer options on any walk in the future. Silly boy!

The pub treated us well as always, thanks folks, and a merry time was had. Johnny was in good form giving a masterclass on how to cook a dinner primarily with spaghetti and an Aldi steak. His demonstration should be on YouTube soon. He then turned his attention to his gnarly knob, a subject that caught the imagination of all, and not a pleasant picture. Before he could offer us photographic evidence, too much detail, he explained that it was to do with a bush/tree in his garden, although, to be fair, he wasn’t too convincing. Well, it makes a change from Georgian architecture!

Another good day out.

 

Arrangements for 29th July

Millport

Meet in Largs in plenty of time to catch the 9.50am ferry to Cumbrae.  Route to and from Millport can be decided on the day.

Arrangements for 22nd July

 Meet at Kames at 10am for a walk up to and around the new big loch (Lapraik, Wellwood, whatever!)

Annbank Circular 15th July

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

It was yet another glorious morning as we met in Annbank for our circular walk to the Wallace and Burns monument. Most had parked in the main street but some had taken the option of parking in the car park in Mossblown opposite the church from which a path led to the bottom of the brae down from the bowling club. We all met up there and continued along the riverside track to Auchincruive, taking a higher path to begin with in order to avoid some fallen trees.

The pace was moderate with all enjoying the warm temperature and, with most of the going in the shade, it was a relaxed group who took coffee at the monument. It was nearly half past eleven when it was decided to move on with Dougie, Graham, Gus, Jimmy, Paul and Rex choosing to complete the circuit by going the longer way back and the rest taking the option, in the heat, to simply retrace their steps. The path was as busy as we’ve seen it today, it’s amazing what the sun brings out!

Anyway, on reaching the bottom of the brae again, those heading for the cars at the church car park were pleased to announce that they did not have the brae to climb as it was a level walk back to where they had parked. Something to bear in mind for the future. Those parked in the main street then joined the others in the shade of the car park to get changed and to have lunch. At one o’clock they drove to the Tap o’ the Brae to find it closed (as had been the case the last time) so headed for the Black Bull in Mauchline, as agreed with those still walking.

It was nearly half past two when the rest arrived at the sitooterie at the Black Bull having been led slightly astray on the final leg of the walk by their Cumnockian tour guide, making the normal seven and a half miles a bit longer.

As usual, a good time was had there, and we were treated as always to sausage rolls. Thanks again, folks! 

 

Stevenston Shore 8th July

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

The Ardeer Peninsula between Irvine and Stevenston housed the ICI Nobel dynamite factory which employed 13000 at its peak and at the time was the biggest explosives factory in the world. Although now closed there is an offshoot explosives company, Chemring, still operating and employing 300.

This would be a new walk for the Ooters today, starting at the car park next to the ‘Doon the Beach’ café and heading along the shoreline of the peninsula towards Irvine. The forecast was for it to be cloudy in the morning and to clear up later, so we set off on to the beach with fleeces etc on, but with the overhead conditions improving rapidly and the temperature warming up, layers were soon dispensed with. We cut over Ardeer Point and got back on to the beach via a rocky outcrop and then headed along the long stretch of shore. Fortunately, the tide was out, meaning that there was plenty of firm sand to walk on and we were joined, aerially, by a couple of powered paragliders enjoying the fine conditions.

Before too long we came across a mural of Robert Burns on the concrete seawall and took time to admire/photograph it before moving on. It has to be said though that it needs some TLC to bring it back up to its original colourful standard. After about an hour and a quarter’s walking we arrived at the mouth of the River Irvine, just below where the Big Idea is positioned and we took coffee/lunch in the lovely conditions, albeit sitting on what looked like the remains of old sewer pipes. Some tried to go up to the Big Idea, closed after only operating for a couple of years, but found the going tricky and turned back.

Retracing our steps we made good progress, even the sight of a nudist in the distance (it is officially a nudist beach) did not slow us down, and in order to avoid the rocks mentioned earlier we left the beach a bit earlier and took to the paths across the park to reach our starting point with the front runners arriving back about half past twelve and the rest arriving in groups over the next ten minutes.

The walk had taken two hours and forty-five minutes and had been a distance of just over six miles, very similar in fact to the Irvine to Barassie walk which we’ve done on many occasions.

After some discussion, it was decided to go to the Lauriston in Ardrossan for FRT, and once we had managed to extricate ourselves from Stevenston, the sitooterie at the front of the hotel made for a very pleasant venue, at least for those who were in the shade, in what had become a beautifully hot day.

Arrangements for 15th July

Annbank Circular 

Meet in Annbank at 10am for a walk to the Wallace & Burns monument. The route will be anti-clockwise to allow those who wish a shorter walk to turn back from there.

Some images from the Stevenston Beach walk