Annbank Circular 10 July

Alan, Alan McQ, Allan, Dan, Davie C, Davie Mc, Gus, Iain, Ian, Jim, Jimmy, Kenny T, Rex

Following our decision not to travel down to Abington, given the dreich forecast, we met at the Bowling Club in Annbank on an overcast, but warm, morning. Jim was in a buoyant, but certainly not bhoyant, mood after his team had had a victory the previous evening over St Joseph’s (Academy under 13s).

Anyway, the faint drizzle in the air was ignored by most as we made our way up the road and down towards the River Ayr. Despite the recent rains, underfoot was generally OK, so good progress was made up to the point where Davie Mc gave us an option i.e. follow the riverside path with its difficult wee bits due to landslips or follow the sign up the steps to the higher path. This latter route would take five minutes longer but Davie the Younger opted for the safer higher path and was accompanied by four minders. This option proved, in fact, to be the quicker one, as they had to wait on the low boys at the point where the two paths converged. ‘There were some slippy, tricky bits’, said Derval Davie. By this time the rain had got heavier, but we were relatively well sheltered from it by the trees as we headed up to our usual coffee spot at one of the fishermen’s shelters.
No stopping today, though, as we continued up to our crossing point at the road bridge before starting the second part of our outward journey. By this time the rain had got heavier meaning that most donned their jackets despite it being so clammy. Just before half past eleven, coffee was called for in the shelter of the trees, before heading up to the Burns and Wallace monument for lunch, half an hour later. The rain had stopped, and we were enjoying our break, before we realised that we were two short. Killie Davie and Jim, who had got detached from the main group, had eventually reached Oswald’s Bridge but had turned right and headed for the return leg before realising that something might be wrong. A phone call managed to remedy the situation and they arrived at the monument, just as the rest were ready to move off.

Better late than never!

The return journey, in dry conditions, along the Auchincruive side of the river, only took about forty minutes and we were back at the cars three hours and twelve minutes (according to our official timekeeper) after having set off. Nearly seven miles was the distance and, as we got changed, the rains came again.
FRT was taken at the Tap o’ the Brae where a pleasant hour was spent.
Given the weather, this had been an appropriate length of walk leading to a good day out.

Images of the walk between Annbank and Auchincruive

featuring Alan McQ, Alan S, Allan, Dan, Davie C, Davie McM, Gus, Iain, Ian, Jim, Jimmy, Kenny T and Rex

Arrangements for the 17th July

Meet at Abington Service Station at 9:30 am for a quick coffee before parking the cars at Brigend for a walk to Crawford and back. This is a trainer walk and even with couple of stops for coffee and lunch should take no more than 4 hours. If the weather forecast is adverse check the blog after 6pm on Tuesday for amended arrangements.

10th July : change of arrangements

Due to a dreich weather forecast, we will not go to Abington.
Instead, meet at Annbank Bowling Club at 10am. We can decide then, given the weather, whether to do the Annbank circle or walk to Ayr and get the bus back.

Loudoun Hill 3 July

Alan McQ, Allan, Davie C, Davie Mc, Gus, Iain, Ian, Johnny, Malcolm, Rex

Many thanks to Davie and Kay for the coffee and scones, and to Holly for cleaning the plates. Much appreciated!

The day was dry with no hint of rain as we made our way to the entrance to Lanfine, but turned left to follow the Long Cairn Walk. It had been a wee while since most of us had done this walk, but it soon came back to us as familiar landmarks were reached. We took a few minutes to talk to a farmer rushing to get his silage in before the forecast rain of tomorrow and tried to convince him that the chances of rain were slim, but he wasn’t taking any chances. Further on, at Saughall (where the wee weather station is), time was taken to speak to Mike Chalton. He is well known to Alan and to Davie Mc and whilst Alan and Mike blethered the rest of us admired his Pinzgauer 6x6 truck.

The spirit of the Ooters

Lunch was taken at the benches close to the Spirit of Scotland sculpture where copious amounts of sweeties appeared for the delectation and sustenance of the assembled company. From there, Allan, Johnny and Malcolm kept Davie C company by going around the base of the hill whilst the rest went up the front before eventually rejoining the four who had been waiting patiently on the road.
Underfoot conditions had been dry, so we didn’t expect any issues on the old railway track back towards Darvel. However, the last mile or so proved to be more difficult than it should have been due to the path being overgrown with nettles, brambles and vegetation in general. How often have we complained in the past about lack of maintenance on publicised walking trails. The guys in shorts had a great time!
Having emerged from the undergrowth, we walked back into Darvel and took the path up to the park, and back to the cars. Four hours and thirty-five minutes was the call for our ten-miler.
FRT was taken at the Black Bull in Darvel, where Davie C and others took the sting out of their day (literally) by making it a three-pint day. All things considered, though, this had been a good day out, and whilst some of us were feeling tired, we thought of Alan, who had cycled to Darvel to join us and was about to cycle back to Ayr. Good effort!

Just like Uluru!