Ardrossan to Irvine 5 November

Alan, Allan, Andy, Davie C, Davie Mc, Gus, Jimmy, Malcolm, Paul, Peter, Rex, Robert

Check out the details on the internet!

The main purpose of this walk was to take up Johnny’s offer of post-walk hospitality in the shape of lunch and beers so it was disappointing that he couldn’t do the walk himself due to him injuring his back lifting his grandson. He was happy enough though to stay behind and prepare the purvey.

It was good to have Andy back with us after a long lay-off and, as we assembled in Ardrossan, we were greeted by a beautiful, crisp morning, so much so that Davie the elder was in his shorts.

Sunny Ardrossan with Arran in the background

The route was the ‘usual’ one i.e.part of the Ayrshire Coastal Path, taking us down the seafront, past the memorial to those who died on HMS Dasher (check out the details through Google), continuing into Saltcoats and following the railway line into Stevenston. Crossing at the level crossing we continued on to the park at Ardeer where our resident ornithologist was temporarily stumped when asked to identify a duck. After some consideration he said that it was Brian. Brian apparently was a Muscovy duck, or maybe even a Muscovy duck cross (remember we were in North Ayrshire where mongrel ducks – as well as mongrel everything else – is the norm. This identification was not generally accepted by those who thought they knew better but Jimmy said it with such conviction!

The wee loch in Ardeer park

Soon we were heading out of Stevenston and up Dubbs Road towards Kilwinning where coffee was called for at our traditional stop at the entrance to the wee wildlife area. It was then a matter of following the road and path towards Irvine moor and eventually emerging at the Turf corner and continuing up Bank Street to Johnny’s.

Johnny did us proud with soup, bread, pies and nibbles as well as a selection of fine ales from the Nythva brewery. Alan also produced a home-made loaf from his rucksack to accompany lunch. Well done and thanks once again!

As well as the usual banter, plans were finalised (well as near finalised as you can get with this lot) for the Burns Supper at the end of January. After umpteen beers it was agreed that Jimmy would dress up as the haggis, Rex would be Grace (apparently as an Aussie he has some experience of this), Peter would be Holy Wullie, Davie the younger would do the Immoral Memory, Davie senior would address the glasses (that were holding him up), Allan would be Bam O’Shanter, Robert would toast the Ooters – slowly under a low heat- and Ronnie would accompany us on his ukulele and would learn how to play all twelve versions of ’The Star of Rabbie Burns’ at the same time!

Oktoberfest 2 October

Alan, Allan, Davie C, Davie Mc, Malcolm, Paul, Rex, Robert

We met at Asda’s café in Ardrossan before setting off for Johnny’s house in Irvine where lunch awaited. The rain had just about cleared up although we decided that discretion was the better part of valour as, to a man, we donned waterproofs. In the event the rain never returned and the walk to Irvine along Saltcoats ‘promenade’, through Stevenston, along Dubbs Road into Kilwinning and then over Irvine Moor to our destination was completed in clammy rather than wet conditions. In a little over 3 hours we got to Bank Street and were met there by another four of our company who obviously were only there for the beer.

Seriously, it was good to see Jimmy, Peter and Ronnie and especially good to see Ian.

Johnny’s lunch was fabulous, superb, excellent: butternut squash soup and homemade bread, Killie pie, beans and mash, followed by dumpling (kindly provided by Malcolm). Furthermore, Johnny’s home-made beers were voted a hit by those who can remember being there.

Many thanks to Johnny for treating us to Oktoberfest. Novemberfest beckons!

9 March Ayrshire Coast backwards – Ardrossan to Irvine

Alan, Allan, Davie, Ian, Jimmy, Johnny, Malcolm, Paul, Peter, Rex & Ronnie

It’s the custom in the Ooters to decide on the next week’s walk in the pub after this week’s one. Suggestions are offered and counter-suggestions are made. Then counter-counter-suggestions are proffered until we eventually decide on a walk that suits most, and stuff the rest. However, in Biddy Mulligan’s last week when Johnny mentioned morning coffee and scones at his place and soup in the afternoon as well, an immediate decision was made - we would leave from, and return to, Johnny’s. And it was this gastronomic enticement that caused eleven Ooters – Robert was the only missing one today – to rendezvous in Irvine at nine.
The intention of the day, after coffee and scones of course, was to take the bus to Ardrossan and walk back the Ayrshire Coastal Path route to Irvine. That’s why the good people of Ardrossan witnessed eleven auld codgers, toting rucksacks and dressed for the worst that the March weather could throw at them, decant from a bus on the South Beach esplanade. Not that we needed to dress for poor weather for it wasn’t that bad, in fact it was kind to us, much kinder than the forecast suggested and much kinder than we could have expected given the overnight snow and the snell north-westerly blowing off the sea. But the morning was dry, the wind was on our backs and we were in carefree mood as we set off along the esplanade.
The walk itself was relatively uneventful even if not entirely uninteresting. Immediately Davie took to the sand and walked in splendid isolation there, while the rest of us kept to the esplanade. This wasn’t at all to do with something we said - he wouldn’t have heard it anyway - but so that Holly could run free. And run free she did; after having been cooped up in the car then the bus for best part of an hour and a half, she revelled in her new-found freedom. But she wasn’t free for long, though. At the end of the south beach we entered Saltcoats and Davie was forced, by the rocky nature of the shore here, to rejoin us on the esplanade. And Holly was forced back on to her lead.
We stayed on the hard surface for the rest of the walk, coming round the harbour to the East Shore. The esplanade here lies between the gloopy sands of the shore and the railway, scenically a most uninteresting part of the route. And today it was greasy. Allan almost fell on his a - a - posterior as his feet found an exceptionally green and greasy spot. But his equilibrium was soon restored, and we walked on, some of us now on the relatively safe passage of the road. Then we left the shore and came slightly inland, still paralleling the railway, past the caravan park and among the houses and buildings of Stevenston. Some of us managed to cross the level crossing before the klaxon sounded and the barriers came down, some didn’t and were trapped on the seaward side much to the jollification of the first group who indicated this by visual signals and whoops of delight. We had to wait ten minutes for the train to pass and the barriers to lift before we were united again.
We crossed Stevenston and Ardeer Park and left the ‘Three Toons’ behind taking the minor road by Ardeer Mains for Kilwinning. At Ardeer Mains a group of donkeys (What is the collective noun for donkeys anyway?) stood in the field chomping on the grass. Only one curious beast raised its head to watch us pass, standing stock still and only moving its head in time to follow our progress. And our progress was towards Todhills Local Nature Reserve and coffee.

After coffee we continued to follow the road into Kilwinning. What a depressing sight greeted us in that town. Our path – the official Ayrshire Coast Path no less – came into an abandoned industrial area, and area of derelict concrete foundations broken by grass and scrubby buddleia bushes, broken-down fences and abandoned roadways. And litter. Not just ordinary litter, the poly-bags and paper that can be seen anywhere, but metal drums and frames, old toilets, scraps of timber etc. What must strangers to our county, walking the coastal path, think of us when they see this? We were glad to leave this part of Kilwinning.

Back under the A78 then, back into the countryside. We left the road beyond the Civic Amenity Area (the coup) – no, not the one at Kilwinning, the official council one – and took a path on the Irvine Moor stopping only to comment on the new housing at the Ravenspark Hospital (the Puirshoose) (see archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/...01/0917475830), the excavations for the new waterworks and Burns statue.
Then we crossed the town and came back to Johnny’s.
We had just settled into Johnny’s for our soup when the rain came. Once again we had been lucky with our weather.

The promised soup turned into stovies. Not that we complained, in fact we were quite delighted for stovies is rapidly turning into the staple diet of the Ooters and we almost salivate at the prospect. How we enjoyed stovies, beer and home-made bread. Thanks must go to Johnny for the repast. Well done again, J.

Irvine to Ardrossan 10 Nov 2010

Distance 15.5 km (the route from Allan's to Eglinton may not be 100% accurate. My excuse is that I was giving tax advice at the time.)




Allan, Davie, Ian, Jimmy, Johnny, Paul, Peter, Robert
It was a bright, frosty morning as the Ooters met at Allan’s house for coffee and scones before setting off through the back of his estate (well not actually his estate, the estate where he lives) and up towards Lawthorn. On the route we paid homage to the cottage where Colin (he of the Canigou and the endless stories) once lived as we proceeded past the Lawthorn Farm Restaurant and Pub, out beyond the Lawthorn Wood, and onto the old Glasgow Road. Crossing this we were soon on the New Town Path and headed towards Eglinton Park, taking the route that leads towards the Lugton Water. It was a fine day for walking and feeling good not to be at school (Am I allowed to mention that word?). Soon we were passing an old but substantial piece of farm machinery which adorned the side of the path – the consensus of opinion being that it had been used to haul timber and would have been pulled by a tractor, possibly steam. The ruins of the castle were passed by as we made our way to the visitors’ centre only to find it was shut for the winter. However, the coffee shop was open and, much to Peter’s delight, we partook of coffee and massive home-made scones.
Reluctantly we moved on and soon were crossing the renovated Tournament Bridge (see picture) taking time to read about its history and the craftsmanship that went into its restoration. Further on our way was obstructed by workmen in full protective clothing felling and burning rhododendrons. They explained to us that they were diseased and had to be burned on site to stop the disease spreading. The workmen also had to be ‘disinfected’ before leaving the area for the same reason. Apparently there is a major problem with the same disease over at Brodick Castle – maybe it had blown over on the wind.
As we left Eglinton Park and crossed the road to join the pathway to Ardrossan we bade farewell to Johnny and Robert who were off to Mosset later in the day and hence did not have time for the full walk. The next part of the walk, from Kilwinning to Stevenston, has been well documented before, but it was in Stevenston that Paul suggested a wee change taking us down the cycle path which was adjacent to the beach. The sand dunes looking over towards Arran and Ailsa Craig gave us a perfect place for lunch, even better since there was pleasant sunshine and no wind.

Having enjoyed a leisurely stop we continued along the beach and on to the road that leads into Saltcoats. As we entered Saltcoats with the calm sea to our left and railway line to our right we could not imagine that a picture taken 24 hours later and displayed on the front page of Friday’s Herald would show gale force winds blowing gigantic waves over the breakwater. The leisurely theme continued as we sauntered along the sea front taking time to read the information boards about the history of the harbour and inspecting the large stone cross on the way.
The bus stop at Ardrossan was reached and there was a bus there waiting for us so before long we were back at Irvine Cross and following Allan round the corner to get another bus up to Perceton. It was whilst on this bus that we observed Johnny and Helen marching down Bank Street on their way to get the bus to Prestwick Airport - small world, eh?
This had been a good walk made better by the kind weather.
FRT, most unusually, was not taken today as we were having a curry night at the Rupee Room later on to belatedly celebrate Peter’s 65th.

24 September Ardrossan to Portincross and Irvine Burns Club

The gathering:
We gathered at Johnny's place in Irvine and partook of his usual hospitality. Thanks again,J. The day was to be in two parts for we were booked, at Davie and Jimmy's request, to visit Irvine Burns club at two-thirty. This we knew. But we gathered at Johnny's with different opinions of what the morning should be. Some thought we were for a walk in Eglington, some that we were for the coast at Ardrossan; some came armed with a peece and expected to dine alfresco, some though that we were to have lunch in the Turf Inn so came peeceless. Great debate ensued during coffee with even greater changes of mind and nothing was really decided on. Where is Robert when we need him? Eventually Ian made the decision. Ardrossan it was to be.
We were joined this morning by Allan Sim. What he thought of our organisation he kept to himself. But we have been organised for the last thirty-odd years so we deserve a little disorder now. And we are quite happy in our muddle.

The Walk:

So, Ardrossan it was, then. And we would walk as far as Portincross or as near to here as an hour would take us for we had an appointment to keep and a two-hour walk might be sufficient for the morning. Davie led the way. On to the beach, he led us. Unlike last week, this beach was firm sand for the tide was on the ebb, leaving us with easy walking. Though the sun tried to break through and the air was reasonable dry and clear, views were restricted from this low down. But, for the third time in four weeks, we saw .... the sea. The birders looked for birds. Oystercatcher, curlew, redshank, dunlin and various gulls were spotted. Even seals were seen today, grey seals according to he who knows these things.
We came to Seamill and took to a path through the rough grasses behind the houses. A man, turning over a part of it with a spade, offered us a job but we politely declined for it was obvious to us that he was enjoying himself too much to take the work away from him. We left him to it. Then Seamill golf course was found. While the birders were content of find stonechat, the golfers tried to spot golfers but they were distant and difficult to identify. Johnny, who is neither birder nor golfer, tried to spot stray golf balls and succeeded. He picked it up for Rex. By now, our hour was up and we sat beside the path by the golf course for coffee.
The sea continued to dominate the view but the headland of Portincross was just in front of us and Arran showed across the water. It was still covered in cloud but this was lifting. Even Paddy's Milestane showed on the horizon and Jimmy was able to identify the ranges of the Galloway hills. It was a very pleasant coffee stop.
The walk back was by the same route. Golfers were spotted. This time they were much closer, close enough to see their colourful plumage, hear their communication calls and witness their bonding display. 'Ripper!' exclaimed Rex as one of the golfers displayed a particularly good move. (Remember Rex is an Aussie and uses a different language from the rest of us.) The golfers froze and looked in our direction but our presence didn't upset them unduly and they carried on with their ritual each taking his turn to display. Since there were no females present, we think they must have been competing for supremacy of the flock. We watched them until they moved away out of sight. Then we moved on.*
After a mile or so, we could see two men and a dog some two hundred metres in front of us. They looked very much like Rex and Davie with Holly. Funnily enough, when we got back to the cars Davie said when he looked back there were five old fellows following about two hundred metres behind.
This was a good couple of hours walking but, if we see the sea much more this year, some of us will be seasick.

The lunch:

We returned to Johnny's where some got toffed-up for the afternoon. The rest remained as scruff. The pub lunch lobby won the day (they had to or they would starve) and we retired to the Turf Inn for a bite. No luck here though, for, contrary to the sign on the wall and Johnny's belief, the Turf didn't have food. So we went to the Ship Inn at the harbour where we enjoyed a hearty lunch. We might have enjoyed another pint but the purse holder refused to pay the prices asked. He promises to make it up to us another day.
The Burns Club:
Ian and Graham showed us round Irvine Burns Club in the afternoon. Their knowledge and enthusiasm for their subject generated an interest even amongst the non-Burnsians. Paintings were admired, original manuscripts were examined and Kilmarnock and Edinburgh editions of the poet's works were handled. The library is extensive and some would have remained there for days if we had let them. As it was, a very quick couple of hours passed, a couple of hours enjoyed by all of us. Our thanks to Ian and Graham. And our thanks to Johnny for arranging the visit.

* We think Jimmy has been watching birds for far too long. It's beginning to affect his writing.