Arrangements for Wed 5th June.

Meet at 10.00a.m.at Kirkfieldbank,beside the Clyde. The walk will be the usual circular route taking in New Lanark and perhaps the peregrine nest site.

Bute 29 May

The weather forecast is OK for the period of time we will be at Kilchattan, so the Bute trip is on.

Catrine, Auchinleck House, Ochiltree, Dumfries House, Catrine 22 May

Allan, Davie C, Davie Mc, Dougie, Gus, Hugh, Iain, Ian, Jimmy, Johnny, Peter

The weather was dry and bright, but the temperature was on the cool side, as we set off from Catrine following the River Ayr Walk up to the Howford Bridge. Peter took us down to the old bridge saying that we couldn’t get through the grounds of Catrine House any longer, but this was no hardship as we turned left and headed up to the road on our right which would take us to Auchinleck House. Holly, as is her wont, was well in front, so Davie followed her as Peter took the rest of us towards the gorge walk (Dippol Burn). (On this occasion we didn’t make our customary visit to the cave house as Peter said it was too muddy down there.) Next, we took the path heading for the rear of the big house and deviated down to see the remains of the much older house (fifteenth century) but didn’t go to the old castle as time was pushing on.

We found Davie having a cuppa outside Boswell’s Coach House, but he didn’t take much persuasion to join us inside for a coffee and scone (or cake, as the scones soon ran out). The boss man, Jamie, was very welcoming, and seemed intrigued by Johnny’s hat, enquiring as to where he could get one, before producing a magazine with adverts for some exotic hats/helmets. We thought of ordering one for Robert but as the kitty was picking up the tabs for the coffees, it was decided that it couldn’t stretch that far.

It was well after midday that we got ourselves into gear again, having a quick look at the house before starting down the long estate road. Before we hit the main Barony Road, we took a right, down a track which led us, with little difficulty, to the bridge over the Lugar at Ochiltree. Well done to Jimmy for checking out this track last week!

From here it was on to the well-known path to Dumfries House (mind you the last time we did this in the opposite direction it appeared to be not so well-known!). Emerging on to the bing, there were calls for a lunch stop, but we pressed on and made our howff in the arboretum at bang-on two o’clock.

Auchinleck or Dumfries was the question regarding where to next. We decided not to have a look at Dumfries House itself and head for Auchinleck, as it was closer, so most of us made our way up the long straight path through the gate at the Temple and continued up to Barony Road. Peter and Johnny had taken the road up past the farm and the outdoor centre and emerged a few minutes after us. We arrived at the bus stop at quarter to three, just in time for a bus back to Catrine. We did notice, however, the black and gold flags adorning many of the buildings in Auchinleck, ahead of Talbot’s Junior Cup Final appearance on 2^nd  June. We also need to mention Largs Thistle, who also play in black and gold, and who will be Talbot’s opponents.

Ten and a half miles in four and three-quarter hours (including leisurely stops) were today’s numbers.

FRT was taken in the Black Bull in Mauchline where snacks were once again provided. Thanks again to our favourite barmaid!

Walking conditions had been excellent leading to a grand day out!

Footnote

In 2012 Paul provided a translation of the inscription above Auchinleck House:

Whatever you seek is here in this remote place, if only you have a good firm mind.



The spirit of the Ooters

Jimmy gives us a history lesson at the old house

Davie gets adventurous in his old age!

Davie Mc was away looking for Holly!

Arrangements for 29 May

Bute
Be at Wemyss Bay in plenty of time to catch the 10am ferry to Rothesay.
Assuming we catch the bus, we will travel to Kilchattan to do the walk round the coast and then up to St Blane's before heading over the hill back to Kilchattan. N.B. Bus passes needed.
(In the event of a poor weather forecast, check the blog after 4pm on Tuesday for an alternative walk.)

Knock Hill 15 May

Alan, Allan, Dougie, Gus, Hugh, Iain, Ian, Jim, Jimmy, Johnny, Kenny T, Malcolm, Paul, Robert

Today we welcomed new boy Iain Bonnar into the fold, and said ‘Hello, Hello!’ to Jim, returning after his foot problems.

It had been one week short of a year since we last did this walk and, remarkably, the weather was exactly the same i.e. a beautiful, warm, early summer’s day.  The sea was as still as it could be as we walked along the promenade before heading up Routenburn Road. This involves a long, steady climb past the golf course, and having gained some height, we then lost it as we headed down past the entrance to Knock Castle towards our turn-aff (remember the Ga’ston turn-aff?) to the right. This track then took us across the fields to our coffee spot adjacent to the Black Glen. We took our time, given the glorious weather, before continuing up the track and turning right just beyond the wall. The path we then followed took us up to the recognised track up the hill. At the base of hill most continued on the spiral path whilst some adventurers went straight up, and all were sitting having a very leisurely lunch just before midday. The views were hazy, but what a great place to sit and enjoy not being at work!
The routes back to Largs were discussed and the decision taken was that we would take the quickest one i.e. straight down and over the very dry golf course before emerging back on to Routenburn Road and down to the A78.
Taking the path next to Noddsdale Water, we stopped momentarily at the boating pond to admire the display of model ships, carefully watched over by their owners, before heading back to the town centre.
Wetherspoon’s, as expected was hoaching and oppressively warm, so we made our way up the beer garden at a busier than usual Drouthy Neebors. Admirably, despite the hot weather, we restricted ourselves to one pint today, as we had business to attend to at night.
From start to finish the walk had taken us about three and a quarter hours, covering seven miles. Underfoot conditions had been excellent making for a great day out.

Heading for the coffee stop

The final group stroll up for elevenses



First to the top by going straight up

This is the life!

What's the collective noun for a group of Ooters?

No bracken to walk through this time!

The Vikings are coming!

Malcolm, Paul and Robert couldn’t make the curry in the evening, but we were joined at the Jewel in the Crown by Davie Mc and Peter. The food, as usual, was excellent and we were well received and attended to by the girls. The night was finished off in a very quiet Wetherspoon’s.