Alan McQ, Allan, Davie C, Davie Mc, Gus, Hugh, Jimmy, Johnny, Malcolm, Paul, Rex, Robert
Today’s walk was one that has been postponed on a number of occasions due to predicted adverse weather conditions and, although the forecast was for rain later, we set off from the car park at Kames on a dry and overcast morning with a chilly breeze. The first part was relatively straightforward, albeit with some puddles on the path, down to Tibbie’s Brig and then beyond to the old railway line. As we progressed though, the track got wetter and muddier, churned up by tractor tyres, which made the going not so pleasant. Going straight on, rather than turning to the right down towards the Covenanter’s memorial, the going got worse and we were glad to see the new loch, Loch Lapraik or Loch Wellwood, depending on which cousin you believe, emerge in front of us.
We were going to have coffee there but a combination of no suitable place to sit down and the rain having arrived encouraged us to continue on the path to the left which would take us round the loch. Unfortunately for some this meant going up the relentless hill until the track turned right on to a very muddy road, not helped by the passage of heavy lorries. Some took the chance to have a coffee there but most continued down towards a bridge for a break. However, on reaching there it was decided to take the track to the right which would take us eventually through the wee woods and down to the boardwalk. Luckily, there were convenient fallen tree trunks as we emerged from the woods, and this became our chosen spot for a stop. This allowed lunch to be taken and for the group to re-assemble, although Derval Davie decided to walk on to the boardwalk. By this time the light rain had gone off and, with a watery sun in the sky, the temperature rose to the extent that there was a thought as to removing wet weather gear. Fortunately, this thought was not acted upon as the rain came back as we caught up with Davie and was to stay on this time.
The path back was better than the one we had taken earlier although there were some tricky parts, but we passed above the aforementioned memorial and continued, past a couple of alpacas in a field, back on to the old railway line back towards Tibbie’s Brig. By this time the rain was much more persistent and by the time we got back to Kames (we were really, well strung out as per usual) it was heavy and we were soaking wet. So wet in fact that it was difficult to get changed into dry clothes and most choosing just to get in the cars and drive to the Black Bull in Mauchline. Nine miles or so in three and three quarter hours were today’s stats. It had not been a very enjoyable walk due to the rain and poor underfoot conditions, but at least this walk has been ticked off, and we will remember to do it again only when we’ve had a long dry spell.
As usual, we were warmly greeted in the pub, where, as per Malcolm’s request last week, our hostess made him a pina colada which he said was wonderful and complemented perfectly his sausage roll! You can take the boy out of Springburn, but you can’t take Springburn out the boy! A good time was had here as the rain pelted down outside and we must thank the Black Bull again for its hospitality. Malcolm’s next request is for ‘sex on the beach’. Say no more!
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