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.

 

Some from the walk between Seamill and Portencross

Portencross Circuit 6 March

Allan, Davie C, Davie Mc, Dougie, Gus, Ian, Jimmy, Johnny, Kenny R, Malcolm, Paul, Robert

The forecast had been poor, so we opted for the Portencross circuit rather than Knock Hill. Those arriving early at the car park stayed in their cars for as long as possible watching the rain fall, but eventually, with wet weather gear on, we decided to make a start.

Making our way in a clockwise direction, we took the path across the field to the power station. This stretch was wet and muddy, but not maybe as bad as we had anticipated. The weather was changeable, varying from wet and windy to dry and calm, depending on where we were. We reached Hunterston in no time and thereafter turned on to the track taking us on to the bridle path and the road up to the A78. On a sheltered part of this road (a place we have stopped many times before), we stopped for coffee/lunch. What was noticeable was the amount of water lying in the fields, testament to the rain that had fallen overnight.
Soon we were off again, making the main road and then turning up to Third Part. By this time, it was raining heavily, but it eased off as we headed up the unmade and pot-hole filled road towards Ardneil Cottages, and then the road back to the cars.
Those who had not taken lunch earlier did so at the picnic benches in ever improving conditions, even some sunshine. It certainly makes it easier to get changed when it’s dry.
Our sage said two hours and twenty-five minutes for a walk of nearly seven miles.
FRT was taken at the Kings in West Kilbride where we were royally entertained by Ian, the owner.
Given the dire forecast we had got off reasonably lightly and thoroughly enjoyed our hour in the pub.

Portencross 7 December

Allan, Davie Mc, Dougie, Gus, Ian, Jim, Jimmy, Johnny, Kenny R, Kenny T, Malcolm, Paul, Rex, Robert

The prospect of high winds meant that we would do the Portencross circuit today rather than travel to Cumbrae, and so we assembled at the car park next to the castle on a very dreich December morning. Clockwise was to be the direction and we sped off towards the power station and beyond before turning up to the bridle path. A convenient small, sheltered clearing in the trees was chosen for coffee before the loop was completed in two and a half hours. (Fuller descriptions of the route are available on previous posts.) For most, lunch was taken at the picnic benches to the accompaniment of the crashing waves. The wimps, or the wise, sat in their car.

Because of cutbacks the auld folk's treat is no longer held indoors

We thought that Wetherspoon’s in Irvine might be too busy at this unearthly early hour, especially being so close to Christmas, so we set off up the road to the Village Inn at Fairlie. The entrance to the car park was blocked so we drove round the front to discover it was shut ‘until further notice’. Kenny T’s search of the internet suggested that the Kings Arms in West Kilbride might be an option, and a good one it proved to be. Yet again there were only a couple of regulars inside, making us question its long-term viability. However, the barmaid was more than pleasant and even refused money for the coffees. She was able to tell us that she used to work in the Village Inn and, as far as she knew, it was now shut for good, as trade had been poor. A victim of the new Wetherspoon’s in Largs?
We had a very sociable hour at the Kings and certainly will return the next time we are in that neck of the woods.

Seamill to Fairlie: 11 November 2015

Ardrossan(ish) to Portencross 23 April

Alan, Allan, Andy, Davie C, Davie Mc, Gus, Johnny, Malcolm, Paul, Peter

The weather must be warming up

We welcomed back Paul and Gus from their recent illnesses and hoped that today’s flat walk would get them back in the groove. We were also happy to welcome Peter back from Ballantrae!

The morning was fresh and dry but a wind was blowing up the coastline making a few don jackets to begin with. Undeterred, Gus and the two Davies (not to be confused with the two Ronnies, although, mind you, there was a big one and a wee one in that duo as well – but they weren’t as funny) were resplendent in shorts.

Malcolm demonstrates the long through ball

The walk along the beach from the car park on the shore front to Seamill was uneventful and beyond that most of us took to the path adjacent to the golf course for the rest of the outward journey up to Portencross Road. On the way down to the castle, where lunch was to be taken, the boys showed their footballing skills as a ball had been found. This episode came to an end when it was passed to Davie Mc who demonstrated his close control by sending the ball into a tattie field.

It had only taken an hour and a half to get to our furthest point and by 11 o’clock the return journey, into the wind, was begun. Arriving back at the cars at about 12.30p.m., the first drops of rain started to fall.

This was a good walk which blew away the cobwebs and was easily negotiatd by Paul and Gus. FRT was taken at the Lauriston in Ardrossan.

One dog and her man

Portencross 26 March

Allan, Andy, Johnny, Malcolm

Since Allan hadn’t been too well and Eddie was to make a return after a hip replacement, the North Ayrshire Chapter decided to do the Portencross circuit rather than travel to Wanlockhead. In the event, Eddie reneged, but the four others started from the car park, in overcast, chilly conditions, and headed in an anti-clockwise direction. The sun soon emerged and we took time to stop and observe workers laying protective fleece over drills of potatoes? maize?  whatever. Continuing along the track we couldn’t help notice the amount of water still lying in the fields. ‘Petrocelli’s  house’ was reached and the surrounds were not yet finished and some of the cladding needed treated again. What’s taking them so long? Ambling along the road up to the A78 the chat was of Johnny’s latest technological acquisitions – those who missed this particular walk should brace themselves for the update.

Cutting back in to the Hunterston estate, we made good time up to the road to the power stations and continued along to the usual stopping point on the rocks. We were surprised to see the hive of activity in the area with works being done on the hill behind Hunterston ‘A’. Speculation was that this was wind turbine related, but time will tell.

Having enjoyed lunch, the trek across the track to Portencross Castle was easily negotiated, despite some mud, and the cars were reached by 12.50.

Andy had to go straight home to man a desk selling tickets for the forthcoming performance of ‘The Cheviot, The Stag, and The Black, Black Oil’ by the Largs Players. Andy plays the third sheep from the left – say no more!

The rest were welcomed back to Johnny’s for home brew. Thanks again, Johnny!

23 October - Portencross circular

Davie C, Andy, Paul. Robert, Jimmy, Gus, Alan.

Having studied his weather app, Robert had taken an executive decision on Tuesday evening to abort the proposed walk from West Kilbride to the Hayley Brae, and instead we opted for the wet-weather standby of the Portencross circular.

Since we have done this walk several times this is a very brief report.

Dark clouds loomed in the northern sky and within 10 minutes of departure, as we walked along the tarmaced road, badly flooded in places, the rain started.  Those who hadn’t already donned waterproofs did so and we were prepared for the forecasted day of rain.

However, the prognostication was wrong and the rain soon eased off. The remainder of the walk was done in the dry and we even had spells of sunshine.  Robert said something about his app having only given him a forecast for Ardrossan for Wednesday evening  but we all agreed he had made the right decision, since the planned route is very wet even when it’s dry and the recent rains would have made it extremely difficult.

Suffice to say we stopped for coffee and (early) lunch at the usual places. We all looked at the Latin inscription on the sundial and admired the gnomen. As the newcomer, Gus was invited to translate. His translation sounded plausible, but since Davie M wasn’t present no one could come up the Ooters’ official translation.

For a possible  first, we returned to the car park (not long after 1 pm) dry! In a rare display of Ooters’ positivism we all agreed it could have been worse.

Refreshments were taken  in Ardrossan at the Laurieston.

Portencross Plus 21 Nov

Alan, Allan, Andy, Davie C, Davie McM, Ian, Jimmy, Johnny, Paul, Rex, Robert, Ronnie

For the first time in weeks the weather gods were with us when we assembled at the car park between Ardrossan and Seamill for today’s walk. We’ve done the Portencross Circular on numerous occasions and have done Ardrossan to Seamill as part of the Ayrshire Coastal Path but combining the two, in order to give us a longer walk, was to prove challenging, particularly as it was Johnny’s (aka Zippy) return to the fold after brain surgery. We are happy to report that the surgeon found nothing*.

Paul’s recently posted route map shows the path taken, but it should be reported that there was yet another schism as one group took to the shore and another to the pavement before coming together just beyond the Hydro and joining the path next to the golf course before stopping for coffee just short of  Portencross Road. The golf course, it has to be said, was in great condition considering the recent deluges and was being enjoyed by many a golfer taking advantage of the late autumn sun.

Coffee finished, we took the anti-clockwise route along the road and up to Thirdpart Holdings, noticing a new house being built and trying to ascertain the progress with the big house that seems to have been under construction for years. Hedge cutting tractors had to negotiated, as were a couple of horsewomen making sure that their mounts weren’t spooked by a gaggle of recently retired professional gentlemen.

Soon we reached the main road and turned almost immediately back on to the path taking us back to the shorefront at Hunterston passing the building with the Latin inscription (for which we couldn’t remember the translation) on the clock. Lunch was taken atop what looked like a sewer pipe, hopefully now defunct.  We can pick the spots, so we can! This was a break in tradition as lunch is normally taken at the rocks just beyond the power station but you’ve got to live a little and be adventurous at times!

Jimmy had his binoculars out by now, they can’t touch him for it, and was actively looking for the bird life. Ronnie suggested the late night bus home from Prestwick would provide greater opportunity but might steam up his lenses.

As we moved past the power station and followed the new part of the road before joining the path through the fields beneath the cliffs, we realised what had been missing from this walk today…glaur!

Undaunted, Portencross castle was reached and after checking whether it was open, it wasn’t, we continued up the road before retracing our steps down past the golf course and back on to the beach for the return journey. On reaching the Hydro, Johnny and Allan took to the road again whilst the rest continued back to the cars along the shorefront.

This was a long walk (four and a half hours) and the last couple of miles from Portencross back to the car park proved  challenging on the feet and legs. However it made the FRT at the Laurieston even more enjoyable.

*Sorry, nothing unexpected.