Catrine to Ballochmyle Viaduct 6th May

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

There was an impressive turnout at Catrine to welcome Peter’s return to walking with us on a dry but rather chilly morning. It was great to have him back with us.

The route is the familiar one along the river and then up to the Howford Bridge. What we hadn’t realised is that someone had done some work to make the various uphill sections steeper than they had been before and therefore some brief stops were made to catch our breath. We took coffee under the bridge at our usual place before continuing up to the Ballochmyle Viaduct. By this time the sky was getting bluer and the temperature, at last, was climbing and since it was only about eleven o’clock it was decided to continue down the path to the river’s edge and continue towards the Haugh. Davie decided to deviate back up away from this path as we approached the rocks as they might be slippy and was followed soon after by Paul. The right decision, guys! These rocks had to be negotiated with extreme care and the ascent back up to the track was challenging.

No matter, we all made it and continued noting the remains of the glade which fed water to the mill at the Haugh for cutting sandstone. We didn’t go as far as the Haugh but cut back up to return to the viaduct having met Davie and Paul who had come the ‘easy’ way. By quarter to twelve we were sitting at the viaduct having lunch. The scenery today was excellent with extensive patches of bluebells to add some more colour to the fresh greens of the trees and bushes, but it has to be said that some of the steps on the path are badly needing repaired.

On reaching the old Howford road on the way back, Alan McQ, Graham and Gus decided to walk up to Mauchline from there, whilst the rest retraced their steps, yet again negotiating the ups and downs, back to the cars. Both groups had covered about five and a half miles in the three hours or so.

The threesome made the Black Bull before the rest arrived and had chosen to sit in the sitooterie for our refreshments. Even a shortage of Guinness did not spoil our post-walk banter, and we were treated as always to very welcome sausage rolls. Thanks again, folks! Another fine day out.