Cumbrae 29th April

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

The beautiful weather continued as we met in Largs for the ferry to Cumbrae. Diversions in Irvine meant that the Kilmarnock guys made it just in time, but the 9.50am ferry had us at the slip in Cumbrae in no time. There are serious construction works beside the slip, and it was later found out that a new one, terminal buildings and parking lanes are on their way.

A quick discussion took place as to the direction to go but, as Jimmy had indicated that he needed to be back early, all agreed to head up to the Glaid Stone for coffee before dropping down into Millport. Jimmy turned back straightaway from here after a look at the cathedral and headed back to the ferry via Ferry Road. Most had a bite to eat in the Garrison whilst some took their pieces in the gardens at the front. Dougie hasn’t had a lot of luck at the café in that that they usually forget to bring him his meal but today, just as we were beginning to think that the same was going to happen, it eventually appeared. It was a leisurely break, and it was a thought to move on again with Alan, Allan, Davie, Ian and Johnny choosing the shorter way back up Ferry Road whilst the remainder took to the west side of the island.

The former group were in the Douthy Neebors by quarter past two whilst the others, some of whom had stopped for an ice-cream at Fintry Bay, arrived about three. It was very pleasant sitting in the busy beer garden and indeed it had been a most pleasant walk with the temperature being perfect and the scenery magnificent. According to Alan McQ, his group had done ten and a half miles whilst the others had done about seven and a half miles according to Johnny.

A grand day out!

More images from Cumbrae

 

Some images from the Cumbrae walk

   

Cumbrae 23 September

Allan, Davie C, Davie Mc, Gus, Ian, Jimmy, Kenny T, Malcolm, Paul, Robert

The 'view' from the Glaid Stone

We welcomed Kenny Thomson to the fold as we made our way to Cumbrae on a damp, dreich morning for our familiar walk. As usual, there arose the question regarding the direction we should follow, but since Allan requested insisted that the hill be got out of the way first, the direction would be clockwise.

From the slipway, the Glaid Stone (127m) was reached in about forty minutes and, as tradition dictates, coffee was taken. So far the rain had proved to be insignificant and there were signs in the distance that the promised improvement might be not too far off. However, this was not a day for good views. Speedy progress was then made down into Millport and along the front to the shelter adjacent to the heliport where lunch was called for.

It was drying up nicely as we left Millport.

By the time we set off again about twelve o’clock, waterproof trousers had been dispensed with, and although light rain came and went on the road up the west side of the island, they were not really needed again. Realising that we were just going to miss the one-thirty ferry, we stopped for a few minutes at the memorial to the shipwreck before we, believe this or not, took a leisurely stroll back to the slipway for the next ferry at two.

Whatever happened to Little aand Large?

The Gogo Glen

It was dry when we reached Largs, just as well, as Paul’s car had a flat tyre. Luckily, his car did have a spare, not like most new cars, so Malcolm and he set about changing it whilst being given copious amounts of ‘advice’ from the rest of us. Wheel changing could become the Ooters newest sport following on the success of pool, boules etc. but, as was commented at the time, the F1 boys need not be worried about their jobs.

Ah widnae dae it that way, Malcolm!

FRT was held at the Village Inn at Fairlie, where the sight of Scotland beating Japan in the Rugby World Cup paled into insignificance when compared to the viewing of Robert’s holiday photos!

By the time we left for home, the sun was splitting the trees.

Cumbrae 8 October

Alan, Allan, Davie C, Davie Mc, Jimmy, Johnny, Malcolm, Paul, Robert

The submarine base on Little Cumbrae

The wind turbine is definitely on the mainland!

As we assembled at Largs there was a distinct chill in the air meaning that we stayed in the warmth of the ticket office until the 10.15 ferry came in. We heated up as soon as we reached our (?) walking pace on the other side and made good time heading up to the Glaid Stone for our coffee stop.

A few spots of rain were encountered on the way down into Millport but jackets were not on for long. Walking through the town we couldn’t help but think that it would be a long day serving in the shops at this time of the year – maybe at any time of the year! On this occasion we did not head up to the golf course and cut across the open ground to Fintry Bay but instead stuck to the coast road. Lunch was taken in the shelter adjacent to the football pitch and to the new helicopter pad where it was announced that we would try for the 2.30 ferry. Once we had reached Fintry Bay the optimists said we could make the two o’clock, so off we went into the drizzle. In the event we reached the slipway at 2.10 and were dry(ish) when we arrived in good time for the 2.30 ferry. (Apologies for all the times. Davie’s obsession with the timings of walks must be getting to me. I’ll go for a lie down before completing the blog!)

Sinister dexter, sinister dexter!

That's better, back again! One thing of note was the emergence of new information posts at strategic points. This information, however, could only be accessed by an app on a mobile phone. This is something to remember for our next visit, assuming of course that there is a mobile signal and that you could read your phone in the open daylight!

Sinister!

The boys who had attended the recent Troon Beer Festival, and who could remember being there, had seen an advert for the Village Inn in Fairlie and so we headed there for FRT and, in the main, we partook of Corncrake Ale, brewed in Orkney. Many thanks to Davie C, whose 59th birthday it was, for buying the first round. A jolly time was had!

Cumbrae 4 December

Alan, Allan, Davie C, Davie Mc, Gus, Jimmy, Johnny, Peter, Robert

Roadworks had delayed the Kilmarnock contingent meaning that the proposed 9.45 ferry was missed and it was not until 10.25 that we landed on Cumbrae. The forecast for the day was sunny spells with blustery showers and fortunately the showers proved to be few and far between.

No place for coffee today

Jimmy had an athletics meet that night so we targeted the 2.30 homebound ferry and set off on our more usual clockwise route from the slipway making our way up to the Glaidstone in jigtime. It was too cold and blustery up there to have coffee and, therefore, a more sheltered spot was found further down the road. Bearing in mind our time limitations, we were soon on our way again, but before reaching the cathedral we turned right and went up past the school and headed towards the bowling club which is adjacent to the road up to the golf course. Those in front turned right but were quickly corrected by the godfaither who directed us left in order to take the longer coastal route up to Fintry Bay. “I’m no gonnae trek through a glaur hole” was the reason for this unexpected deviation from the norm, but we did stop for lunch at the shelter on the esplanade.

The boys are still seeking their crock of gold

“Can we make the ferry?” was the question posed by the doubters. ”Of course we can”, said those for whom the glass is always half-full.

Not only did we make the ferry but we made the 2 o’clock one after a good step out (i.e. a forced march) along the west side of the island.

Jimmy and Peter headed off home as the remainder took FRT in McCabe’s.

This had turned out to be a much better day than we could have hoped for given the forecast and the time of year.



Blog by Allan
Additional pics below from Jimmy.

Walking up the Ferry Road away from the ferry.



The sun shines on the Arran Hills as seen from the Glaidstone.

Coming down from the Glaidstone. The sun shines after a shower had hit us on the top.

A view over the bay at Millport



Looking towards Argyll from the west side of the island.