Failford to Stair walk

Davie Mc, Dougie, Gus, Hugh, Iain, Jimmy, Malcolm, Paul and Rex.

The above 9 Ooters met at Failford on a glorious sunny morning, the warmest walk-day of the year so far. It was nice to welcome Iain Bonnear back after his prolonged absence. although on the return  journey the pace was proving too much for him and, to quote, he was "rapidly losing the will to live". So the usual "no compassion" was shown to Iain on his first walk back.

The Failford Gorge was looking resplendently lush, with lots of wildflowers in abundance with several of us commenting on the superb white blossom of the hawthorn trees.

We took the lower path along the river which meant of course we had 100 lung bursting steps at the other end to negotiate.

Before long we were heading past Daldorch farm and the massive barley crop on our right. Jimmy was heard to guess how many bottles of malt whisky could be made from such a field.

Of course, it was now time to enter the wood where the landslip is. Your scribe had not been as far as this for a long time and didn't know what to expect. Unfortunately the landslip has got much worse since we last did the walk; lots more vegetation and some really difficult, dangerous, obstacles to manoeuvre round. However we all made it safely to our lunch spot at Stair weir, where we noticed that the old sluice and lade seemed to be in operation again, and a new sign "Dalmore Hydro" could be seen across the road where the honing works used to be.

There were no dissenting voices when it was suggested we take the easy way back, avoiding the landslip again although Isla was not happy about walking on the main road, sitting down and waiting till each car passed by before continuing, causing Davie to be well behind at the coo's tail for a while.

The return journey proved very pleasant indeed, (maybe not for Iain), and we arrived back at the cars 3 hours and 20 minutes after we had set off.  We were all desperate for FRT which of course we enjoyed in the sit-ooterie of the Black Bull in Mauchline. Sausage rolls were provided as usual and we enjoyed a good hour's banter. Fabulous day out!

Text by Davie and photos by Jimmy

 

Failford to Stair via Enterkine 18 September

Allan, Andy, Davie C, Davie Mc, Gus, Paul, (Peter), Robert

     I’m leaning on a lamp-post at the corner of the street

     In case a certain little lady comes by

     Oh me, oh my, I hope the little lady comes……. Aaaaargh!!!!!!!

The decision had been made on the previous evening to travel to Failford rather than do the Cobbler. A good decision given the dodgy weather!

We were 10 minutes late in setting off from Failford whilst we completed the checklist for leaving a car unattended i.e handbrake on, leave in gear, chocks under the wheels, handbrake on, handbrake on …. i.e. doing what any sensible person was taught to do.

Some shady autumn sunshine

The seven of us made our way onto the River Ayr Path in what was to be a very changeable day – sunshine, showers, rain, cold wind- and it was one of those days where clothes and waterproofs were on, then off and so on. Robert, Paul, Gus and Davie Mc had set their own brakeneck speed and had decided to take the wee detour to Peden’s Pulpit whilst the rest, travelling at a more moderate pace, and not knowing to take the detour, continued on their merry way thinking the speedy group were still in front. After some fifteen minutes it dawned that they were not in front and logically had to be behind. So they waited, and shouted, and waited, and shouted, and it was not until Holly appeared from behind that their notion had been confirmed. Still there was no reply to the shouts until eventually they could hear a reply from far below – yes the boys had taken the low route and they were on the higher one. Having met up, a coffee brake was called for but those who know better suggested leaving it a bit longer.

Now, where did I leave that toothpick?

The fishermen along the river were having no luck as we passed by and continued up to the diversion at Daldorch from where we crossed over the field and joined the path and road down to Yett. Again coffee was not to be taken, surprising, as a packet of Brakeaways had been produced. The decision was to follow the road up to Enterkine Wood, and then down to Enterkine Mill, passing by Enterkine House and eventually meeting the main road and turning left down to a bench on the way to Gadgirth Bridge. Here, we did stop for a well-earned lunch, brunch, whatever! We ate all we had in our piece boxes before being entertained by wee Davie who gave us five minutes of brake-dancing. How he could spin on his head and eat his banana at the same time was a mystery. For his encore, he rolled down the hill and hit a lamp-post.

From here we turned left at the river, rejoining the path, and passing under the Enterkine Viaduct before continuing up towards Stair. This part of the route had seen some work done and was looking the better for it, and the only real water-logged part of the path only lasted thirty metres or so. Soon we were retracing our steps to Daldorch and beyond, before coming across a vision in the distance. Yes, it was oor Peter, who had come down to join us for FRT but, rather than wait at Failford, had decided to walk up to meet us.

Failford has the attraction of an Inn with real ales, but it would be even more attractive if it would open at times convenient to the Ooters. So it was to Poosie Nansie’s in Mauchline that we travelled. The walk had taken a tad over 5 hours, a strenuous enough day out for some!

P.S. Rumour has it that Jimmy is trading in his car for a shooting brake.

11 February Failford to Stair and back

I like the days in winter

when paths are packed with snow

and feet make creaky footsteps

wherever footsteps go

Aileen Fisher

Nine of us turned out for today’s walk, Paul and Rex were the absentees noted. Ronnie joined us again today. Last week’s sojourn on the northern Kells didn’t put him off and he joined us again today.
The weather was lightly cloudy when we drew up in Failford for a short walk along the river but a reasonable forecast and a clearing sky meant we were hopeful of a good day.
Crunchy snow lay on the paths where the sun failed to reach. Today’s walk was to be short for this was Jimmy’s bus-pass do and we were repairing to the Rupee Room in Ayr for a celebration curry in the evening. The walk chosen was a repeat tramp of that section of the River Ayr walk from Failford to Stair and back. The route has been travelled often and has been described before so needs no description here. Suffice to say that somewhere along here the promise of the morning was fulfilled when the sun came out. There was a little warmth felt in the sun today but a cold breeze blew and crunchy snow lay on the path where it failed to reach. It was a day of opening and closing jackets depending on sunshine or shade though Davie dispensed with his altogether early in the walk.
We came down the river via Peden’s Pulpit for Ian hadn’t been there before and it’s always a nice diversion. Yet two chose not to go there but to keep to the main path. Perhaps they just wanted to be alone, who knows. However, we caught up with them at the top of the brae and we all kept to the main path after this.
When we came to the weir at Stair where there appeared to be some debate as to whether this should be an eating point. Jimmy made the decision when he sat down and pulled out his flask. Coffee was taken here.
Peter expressed an interest in revisiting a scene from his youth and showing us the same so, after coffee, we crossed Stair Bridge (1745). Immediately, there came an obstacle that showed that we aren’t as young as we’d like to think, an obstacle that tested mature bodies. A five foot retaining wall had to be negotiated. Peter was first up and lent a hand to Robert. Now, with two hands at the top, the operation could be made easier. Jimmy was hoisted without difficulty then Allan but, as the two tired, it became more of a struggle. Poor Johnny’s fifteen stone proved too much and the bold J was precipitated unceremoniously back down the wall. It took two goes and a fair bit of effort to get Johnny elevated. However, we were all eventually hauled to the top of the dyke and found ourselves on the remains of an ancient track.
That this track had not been used for some time was obvious from the number of trees fallen over it, mature trees and beginning to rot. Ducking under and clambering over slippy tree trunks brought us to the old hone works. Some had come this way before (24/10/07) but for the most it was new territory. Those who had been here the last time were treated to a potted history by the old boy who was the owner and this potted history was passed on to the newcomers. A few minutes were spent exploring and examining the works. The sheaf of corn relief on the wall was a reminder of the original use of the building, as was the mill-lade behind it. But the pieces of hone-stone picked up by those who do this kind of thing showed its more recent function.
Examining the remains of the hone-stone mine.We thought we had finished with the hone-works when we returned to the track but Peter had other ideas. We continued down the track through a pleasant grove of mature Scots Pines to the remains of the hone-stone mine. This was very much new ground for all but Peter and we followed where he led, explaining the different areas of the mine workings. A pleasant few minutes was spent in industrial archaeology mood trying to visualise the place when it was working. But the cold air was getting to the old bones again so we moved on.
We came back to the copse of pines and left the track for a few more minutes of archaeological guesswork. And we stayed among the trees, ignoring the muddy track below us for a wee while. But we had to come down to the track eventually. As has become his habit over the last few weeks, Robert decided to slide in the mud and sit down. We think he is developing a mud fetish. But, at least this time there was nae coo cack in the mix.
With Robert returned to the upright, we returned to the bridge of Stair. Some had to be home early so the return upriver was taken briskly and without real halt. We did stop for breathers but not sufficiently long for another peece stop and the appetite was honed for the evening meal.
We came back to Failford the back of two (plenty of time for the early hamers) and partook of a jug of ale in the inn there.

PW The evening curry in the Rupee Room was of the better standard and the company was good. The evening passed quickly in jolly banter. Such was the enjoyment that was suggested that we don’t need to wait for another sixtieth birthday before we do the same again. The suggestion was adopted unanimously so we look forward to the next time. Meanwhile, for Jimmy ‘Happy bus-pass to you, bus-pass to ..............’