Kames to Loch Lapraik/Wellwood 1st April

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!

 

A few more from the Muirkirk walk

 

Some images from the MuirkIrk walk

 

Arrangements for Wednesday 8th April

Ness Glen

Meet at the Craigmark Burntonians football ground for a walk up the Ness Glen.

Knockroon, A Frame, Dumfries House 25th March

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

Our planned trip to Kames was, yet again, postponed due to a poor weather forecast, so we met at Knockroon on a morning which promised rain/sleet/snow/hail showers and a biting wind. We were well wrapped up as we left the car park and headed back towards Auchinleck with the idea to continue to the A frame and return via Dumfries House.

Davie however, in order to accommodate Isla, cut off to the path on the left to head for the Lugar Trail, and since compassion is the name of the game for the Ooters these days, Allan and Malcolm, being his designated carers for the day, went with him. They took the path, very muddy in some parts, up to the entrance to Dumfries House grounds and then checked where the others were. The main group had turned left on reaching Auchinleck, had looked in at the old kirkyard to have a look at Boswell’s mausoleum, and were continuing up Barony Road to have coffee at the A frame.

It was agreed that the other three would walk towards them, and this they did, hoping that they would meet the others before having to make the steep climb up the bing. No such luck though, and it was only a few minutes from the frame that they saw the guys coming down to meet them. From here all made their way back to the Woodland Shelter (our usual howff) for lunch. It is still locked but we spent a restful twenty minutes on the benches outside.

We had had only one small shower by this point but on the way from there to the underpass we had constant rain/hail, not that heavy, and with the wind behind us it was not an issue. The rain/hail having gone off, Davie and Isla returned to the car park the way they had come whilst the rest took the drier path up beside the Auchinleck Burn and then down the main road to the cars. We had been lucky with the weather as it had been much better than forecast, with lots of bright spells, and we had covered seven miles or so by the time the stragglers arrived back at ten to one.

Wee Davie, having been checked out with a spirit level, was passed fit to join us at the Black Bull in Mauchline. His new coat, and a lighter rucksack, seemed to have done the trick. Time will tell.

A jovial hour was spent at our favourite hostelry where we were treated to our usual hospitality in the form of sausage rolls. Thanks again, folks.

A guid day oot after all!

Some images from the Dumfries House walk

 

Arrangements for Wednesday 1st April

Loch Lapraik

Meet at Kames for another attempt at the walk to Loch Lapraik.

Seamill to Portencross 18th March

Allan, Davie C, Davie Mc, Graham, Gus, Hugh, Johnny, Kenny R, Malcolm, Paul, Rex

It was a glorious spring morning as we assembled at the car park for our walk to Portencross. So good that most had come with too many layers, given the weather we had encountered recently and it was not long before fleeces and jackets were shed. The walk to Portencross has been described many times before, the only things of note this time were that we came across a group of first year Bristol University geology students, resplendent in hi-vis jackets, examining rock formations on the beach before setting off for Arran later (good luck with that one!), and that we were surprised (one or two even excited) to see a lady strip off to her bathing costume and go for a swim in the cold water. Good for you, missus!

Reaching the castle at about twenty past eleven we had our coffee/lunch at our favoured spot before setting off on the return trip. Before long we were well strung out as usual, with those at the back narrowly being missed by a stray golf ball. Further on we met Alan Watson out walking his dogs and a few minutes were spent catching up with him before moving on.

By the time we came off the path beside the golf course and back on to the beach, and with the front markers in the distance, those at the tail stopped as wee Davie was ‘away to the side’ again and in a bit of distress. Various options were considered but, in the end, Johnny volunteered to carry Davie’s heavy rucksack (this may be the cause of his problems) and saunter with Davie straight up the adjoining road and gingerly walk back to the cars in the hope it would make it easier for Davie to walk on firm ground. The rest of us marched on with the promise that one of us, on reaching the cars, would drive to meet them and pick them up. Gus was first back of this group and without hesitation jumped in his car and went and picked them up at a bus stop where they had stopped to allow Davie to rest. Needless to say, that by the time Davie had his first pint, he was fine. Well done to both Johnny and Gus for their compasson!

It had been a good walk (seven miles in three hours and ten minutes, but who’s counting?) in excellent conditions and for some it had been a tiring day with the unexpected heat, too many clothes, and walking on the sand to contend with. FRT was taken at the Lauriston where a very pleasant hour was spent in the lounge bar relaxing after our exertions.

 

Arrangements for 25th March

 Meet at Kames at 10am for a walk to the new loch (Lapraik or Dalfram).

Failford and Curry 11th March

 

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

There had been heavy rain overnight and thundery showers earlier in the morning, so we were well kitted out with wet weather gear before setting off from Failford for the gorge walk. It was dry when we started with some blue skies and, other than a couple of brief light showers, it stayed dry and sunny all morning, the only downside being the cold wind which hit us on when we were on the higher, more exposed sections.

The walk itself is weel-kent, but to summarise, after the steep initial ascent of the steps we made our way up and down along the path, missing out a visit to Peden’s Pulpit today, and continued to the point where you can take the lower route down the steps or stay high. As usual there was a split, six staying high and the rest going low, but all got to the bench at the same time. There was a thought to have coffee and then turn back from there, but Derval Davie suggested walking on past Daldorch Farm and have coffee at the wooden bridge. ‘Twenty minutes,’ was the time quoted, but after twenty-five we were almost there when it was decided to turn back as it threatened to rain, so we returned to the bench for coffee/lunch.

It was here that we got spread out with some continuing up to the nearby steps for their stop, and a seat, and others eschewing (word of the day) lunch and carrying on walking. All took the higher path back to the cars with the back markers arriving back at twenty-five to one having covered nearly six miles. A decent walk which provided ample opportunity to get the heart racing, and we had got much better than anticipated weather and encountered underfoot conditions which, in the main, considering the recent weather, were not too bad.

No FRT today as we would be assembling later to celebrate Hugh’s 70th at the Jewel.

 

The thirteen above were joined by Billy, Graham, Kenny T, Malcolm, and Peter for a most enjoyable evening at the Jewel. Happy birthday when it comes next week, Hugh! Enjoy your wine! Thanks again to Katrina and Lucy for their attention, and to Hugh for buying our nightcap at Wetherspoon’s later on.

Another good night out!

Arrangements for Wednesday 18th March

Portencross

Meet at the usual car park north of Ardrossan at the usual time for the usual walk to Portencross with the usual guys and the usual inane banter.

Mare images fae the Failford walk