Allan, Andy,
Ian, Johnny, Paul, Peter, Rex, Robert
The forecast
had been dismal for today so instead of Irish Law we assembled at Johnny’s and
discussed over a coffee the options for the day. Whilst the rain battered off
the Velux window thoughts turned away from walking to various other topics
including the delicacies each had had for the previous evening’s meal. Peter
was very reluctant to state what his meal had been but when it was revealed
that he had washed it down with a little Chianti it dawned on us that his wife
hadn’t been seen for some time.
The rain
went off and the decision was made to walk down to the beach and then proceed
to Troon. As we left the sky was dark and waterproofs were donned but they soon
came off again as despite the overhead conditions it was too hot to wear them.
They were to be put back on only on a couple of occasions during the walk and, as
usual, by the time they were on the rain had eased. Given the forecast we were
very fortunate with conditions today.
 |
| For Jimmy: 6 gannets at lunch |
Anyway, the
beach at Irvine was reached and discovering that the tide was in and walking on
the soft sand was hard going we left the beach and found the path behind the
sand dunes. A coffee/lunch stop was called for at the sandstone shelter
whilst we pondered the possibility of a fish supper at the Wee Hurrie. Hence
some had a coffee and others ate their pieces in anticipation of what might be
to come.
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| Chips meet with seal of approval |
The next
part of the walk saw us keeping to the path eventually entering the grounds of
Western Gailes Golf Course before taking to the beach just short of Barassie.
Robert was starving at this point and insisted on us stopping at the picnic
benches for lunch, although, as previously stated, not all had anything left to
eat. Entertainment was provided by jet fighters flying into and around
Prestwick Airport – did the Olympics have a bearing on this? As we sat we could
look back up the coast to the blackness that overhung Largs and beyond – good
decision!
Within an
hour we were indeed at the Wee Hurrie and tucking into fish and chips whilst
watching the activity at the harbour and enjoying the seals perform in the
water.
FRT was
taken at the Harbour Bar before we caught the bus back to Irvine.