Wed 25 New arrangements

 Meet in the Maidens  , park close to Culzean. The plan is to seek the shelter of Culzean because the forecast is 100% chance of rain. Bring a brolly and a change of clothes.

Glasgow 18th February

 Alan McQ, Davie C, Dougie, Graham, Hugh, Ian, Malcolm, Rex and Robert

It was half past ten when we started off from the Counting House due to the bus from Ayr being delayed by roadworks. Emerging into a chilly north-easterly breeze, we made our way around the northern side of George Square, followed North Hanover Street and crossed the motorway using the Sighthill Bridge (or "rusty bridge" as it is known by the locals due to its weathering steel structure). Speirs Wharf was soon reached and thereafter it was the familiar route alongside the Forth-Clyde canal past Firhill Stadium to the locks at Maryhill. Thankfully, the chill wind was behind us along this stretch and the only issues involved being constantly aware of cyclists approaching from both directions. After posing for a photo at Maryhill Locks, the group continued for a short distance alongside the canal before finding the path on the left which leads down to the Kelvin Walkway. After a toilet break at the Botanic Gardens, we kept up the brisk pace all the way along Great Western Road to Charing Cross and then to our lunch venue at Hengler's Circus in Sauchiehall Street before we made our separate ways home by train or bus having covered 9 miles or thereabouts. Despite it having been cold and overcast, the weather had remained dry for the duration of today's walk.

Some images from the Glasgow walk

Arrangements for Wednesday 25th February

Straiton

Meet in Straiton at 10am where we can decide on an appropriate route following one of the many traffic-free trails which radiate from the village. Option of a coffee in the café before we set off.

Lugar Water walk

 

Alan Mc, Alan S, Davie C, Davie Mc, Graham, Gus, Hugh, Jimmy, Paul, Robert & Rex

On a damp, dreepy day eleven Ooters gathered at Knockroon in Cumnock for what should have been a delightful walk. It might have been if it hadn’t been for the continual drip of rain and one or two really mucky sections. Davie Mc decided to drive into Woodroad Park and wait for us there.

We left Knockroon and strolled casually into Cumnock noting Kier Hardie’s house on Auchinleck Road. At the Lugar bridge we crossed the road and entered Woodroad Park. Some more nostalgia from the Cumnockians who pionted out where the swimming pool was and where ‘Tarzan’ gave a demonstration of diving. Then we left the park and climbed up under Templand viaduct where we found the new path designated ‘Broombraes’ and followed this to Lugar. Here Davie Mc, protecting his sare back, turned back. We would meet him later.

Coming along the main road through Lugar brought us to the Lugar Spoot. Coffee/early lunch was taken here before crossing the Lugar Water and following this to Lugar Viaduct. It was here that we met the first of our glaury sections. It didn’t last though and walking through the fields towards the ruins of Barlonachan Farm was much cleaner. Our leader for the day was in his usual position at the rear when he noticed the advanced group veer off in the wrong direction taking the majority with them. A few shouts and screeches attracted attention and the wayward group were soon returned to the fold. At the ruins came the last climb of the day towards Longmore Farm. Unfortunately for us the wet weather and the farmer’s quad had turned the track to mush. Oozy mud and a few choice phrases were the order of the day for the next quarter of a mile. A gate, farmer-tied with bailer twine, had to be negotiated and more mud was experienced before we found firmer footing past Longmore. Then we came to some sensible walking on Glenmuir road.

This was followed without break down through Logan, down Barrhill Road and into the town. The long-lost Davie Mc had just come to his car and was driving along Auchinleck Road as we were walking there. Two of our number, who shall remain un-named, succumbed to temptation and accepted a lift in the aforementioned car. The rest walked back to Knockroon and a change into dry kit.

FRT was taken in our usual howf, the Black Bull in Mauchline, where we were treated to our usual fare. Thanks again folks.

Some images from the Lugar walk

 

Curry to celebrate Hugh’s birthday

 Meet in the Jewel at 7.00.p.m. On Wednesday the 11th March ,one week before his 70 eith birthday. I have booked for 17 / 18 persons and would appreciate it if you could let me know if you cannot attend .

Arrangements for Wednesday 18th February

Glasgow Canal

Meet at the Counting House in George Square for a walk alongside the canal.

Smugglers Trail (part of) 4th February

Alan McQ, Allan, Davie C, Dougie, Graham, Jimmy, Malcolm, Paul, Rex, Robert

Normally at this time of the year, we do a ‘snowdrop walk’ from Castle Semple to Howwood, but this year we chose one closer to home. With that in mind, we met at Dundonald Castle on an overcast morning, and with a cold wind at the exposed car park, we set off early (ten to ten), as all who were expected had arrived. The notion was to do the Smugglers Trail and experience the snowdrops in Fullarton Woods but, in order to avoid waiting around for a bus in Troon, we opted to get to the woods and then turn back from there.

The steep climb up the hill to begin with got us warmed up and, with many more ups and downs on the trail, we were getting well exercised. It took us forty minutes to get to the reservoir where we could see a number of vans and workmen in hi-vis jackets at the dam. Whilst Robert, in his own inimitable way, went over to see what was going on and offer his advice as to how they should proceed, the rest waited for him on the road below. Having had a discussion and – how to put it- managed to question the sexual orientation of one of the workmen (which the others found funny), he eventually came down and said they were replacing a rusty old valve with a new one.

Walking down to Loans we turned right and found the path through the bungalows which led us into the woods and a great display of snowdrops. An early lunch was taken at the benches before setting off on the return journey but, as we were about to leave the woods, most chose to take the track to the right up to the main road whilst the rest retraced their steps through the houses. In the event, both groups arrived at Loans at the same time for the next leg up past the new housing estate. Paul left us here to return to his home in Barassie whilst the rest made their way up and over the hill again arriving back at the cars at twenty past one, just as the predicted rain was starting to fall.

FRT was taken in the Auchans where a convivial hour was spent. We had got the best of the day and had covered between eight and a half and nine miles. A good step-out as they say!

 

Some images fro the Fullarton Wood walk

 

Arrangements for 11th February

 Meet at Knockroon at 10am for a walk to Lugar and the viaduct and return via Logan.