Anniesland to Clydebank 16 July

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

Lock aye the noo

The ugly ducklings

The forecast for the morning was not good so, as we met at Anniesland, the decision was taken to apply plan B and head off down the canal walk towards Clydebank. To begin with rain jackets were adorned but very soon these were dispensed with as, although overcast, it was warm and humid. Coffee was called for after about 50 minutes at one of the locks and before long we were under way again and by half past eleven Clydebank had been reached. Alan, Allan and Johnny decided to have a seat in the warmth outside McMonagle’s  chip boat whilst the others walked on to the Beardmore monument before returning to join up with the rest for a fish supper. Only Davie resisted the temptation and chose to eat his packed lunch, much to Holly’s disdain.

The return along the path to our cars was speedy, with only a short stop to witness a pint-sized puffer, the 'Wee Spark', negotiate a lock.

Fortunately, deep fried swans were not on the menu

Old boys and their toys

FRT was taken back at the Kings Arms in Fenwick.

8 May The Luss Hills Revisited

Allan, Davie C, Davie Mc, Ian, Jimmy, Paul, Rex, Robert & Ronnie

Rain! Rain! Rain! What is it about the hills to the west of Loch Lomond and us? We have seen many pictures of splendid views from these hills but have yet to see these for ourselves. Yes, we have had a sunny day here but even then the view was restricted by a March haze that kept the distance to around a mile or so. The rest of the times we have had rain or hill fog. Today it was to be rain.

            Yet the day was dry when we left Luss, crossed the main road by the footbridge and started on the climb of Beinn Dubh, the first top on our Luss horseshoe. This dry wasn’t to last long though. By the time we had climbed to the thousand contour and stopped in the lea of a wee bank for coffee, the first spots could be felt. Allan and Malcolm had the right idea and, after coffee, started on the descent back to Luss. The rest of us, the foolhardy crew, continued upward into the increasingly heavy rain and strengthening wind. We met a couple who had gone before us but were beaten by the conditions and were returning from the top. But we are stronger or more foolish than they and continued upward. Eventually, when we reached the fence that was almost on the summit of Beinn Dubh we called enough for the wind was now severe and the rain persistently heavy, not nice conditions to be out in. Even we were beaten and opted for the descent.

The descent was a lot quicker than the ascent and we were back down in Luss in less than the hour. We met Malcolm and Allan in Luss and drove back to Fenwick for a more than welcome FRT in the King’s Arms.