Cumbrae 9 October

Alan, Allan, Billy, Dan, Davie C, Dougie, Hugh, Iain, Ian, Johnny, Kenny T, Malcolm, Rex, Robert

The occupants of Alan’s car made the 9.45am ferry from Largs by a whisker, but, nonetheless, a good contingent of Ooters headed for Cumbrae on a day that promised lots of blustery showers. Given the forecast it was decided that we would simply head up to the Glaid Stone, continue down into Millport, and then return by Ferry Road.

The familiar walk up to our highest point was made in good time and in very decent conditions, and for the most part we were sheltered from the wind, but, because of this, we took coffee in the calm at the benches just below the trig point. On the walk down to the town the rain came, but nothing too drastic, and by the time we made the Garrison, it had abated. We chose to have lunch in the Garrison café, watching, as we did, the sunshine returning.

Having spent a leisurely forty-five minutes there, it was time to move off and, as we did, the rain reappeared. It did not amount to too much and by the time we were heading down towards the ferry the weather had improved drastically. Passing the shore at the water sports facility, we noticed a seal sunning itself on a rock not too far out into the water. We’ve encountered a basking shark or two on the Cock of Arran walk, but today it was our turn to witness a basking seal!

We reached the slipway at ten past one, three hours and ten minutes after having set off, and having covered seven miles. A good step out, as they say, and perfectly adequate given the very changeable conditions, and indeed, it was raining again as we boarded the half-past one ferry.

Wetherspoon’s was, as usual, very busy, so we headed for Drouthy Neebors for FRT, but, as we got settled, we were informed we could not be served as Dan was under eighteen. Only if a family meal was bought could we have refreshment, and a couple of portions of chips didn’t count. Not even the mention that Holly had been allowed to join us on many occasions, and she was under eighteen, could sway the decision. So, we left and returned to Wetherspoon’s and managed to get ourselves organised to sit together. The licensing laws seem to be a strange thing and be interpreted differently in different locations.

A lively hour and a bit was spent here, and, eventually, most decided to make their way home. Not even the offer of a complimentary third drink from Davie to celebrate his recent birthday could tempt them to stay. However, he was kept company by his carers. How does the song go?

When I get older losing my hair
Many years from now
Will you still be sending me a Valentine
Birthday greetings bottle of wine

Will you still need me, will you still feed me
When I'm sixty-four

Etc etc

The saga of Ian’s wallet

Ian couldn’t find his wallet after having given Davie his kitty money whilst awaiting the ferry at Cumbrae slip. He checked out his bag on the ferry but, on failing to find it, he returned to Cumbrae to have another look, before returning to Wetherspoon’s after having gone to the local bank to cancel his card. He was not a happy bunny, naturally. On the way home we wondered whether he had simply put it in someone else’s bag by mistake. To cut a long story short, when Allan was emptying his rucksack at home, what should he find?

All’s well that ends well! Well, nearly. Does this go down as a senior moment? Or is there a conspiracy theory? Answers on a postcard please.

Cross your fingers and make a wish!

Is this the same day?

Arrangements for Wednesday 16th October

Meet in the centre of Dailly for the 10.30am bus to Crosshill. The walk will be back to Dailly via Barony Hill with the option of a short detour to visit the old Kilkerran Castle. In the event of a poor forecast then an alternative arrangement will be made by 6pm next Tuesday.

Cumbrae 9 Oct

The walk will go ahead as planned.

Millport 9 Oct

Suggestion if walk goes ahead as planned we could use the Garrison for lunch perhaps.

Darvel 2 October

Allan, Billy, Davie C, Davie Mc, Hugh, Ian, Jim, Kenny T, Malcolm

This was the first morning of the autumn/winter when windscreens had to scraped of ice before setting off on a beautiful morning to Davie’s in Darvel. Full marks to him (and his assistant Kay) for accommodating us with scones and coffee despite the house being remodelled. Kay says that Davie is next! Thanks, folks, for your hospitality!
We set off bang on ten o’clock and made our way up through Lanfine to see the boars as some of us hadn’t seen them before, and, on cue, a big wan and a wee wan were seen basking in the early morning sunshine. From there we continued up and out of the estate and headed relentlessly up to the woods. Layers were being shed as the temperature rose and the incline increased, but we made it to the entry point to the woodland path that was to be the next part of the day. The going in the woods ranged from easy and pleasant, to undulating, to muddy, but progress was good until it was agreed that Jim needed a rest and a bite to eat, so we stopped for fifteen minutes for a coffee about two thirds of the way along the path.
The next section had some tricky bits and a couple of wee burns to cross but we made it safely back on to tarmac not too far along the road that we had emerged on to from Lanfine about an hour and a half earlier. Following this road down into Newmilns saw us reach the bridge over the river at quarter to one. Kenny and Jim decided to return to their car along the riverside walk whilst the rest of us continued up past the dry ski slope and took lunch at the gates to the cemetery.
At this point Malcolm produced his bottle of raki (remember the Rothesay walk earlier in the summer?) for those who had not tried it before. Suffice it to say that it went down surprisingly well and Malcolm was wise to put the bottle back in his rucksack before the boys went to raki and ruin!
Continuing up Dalwhatswood Road we had great views across the valley and beyond before we turned down Foulpapple Road and on to Burn Road for our return to Darvel.
The cars were reached four hours and twenty minutes after having set off and having covered nine miles on a glorious day for walking.
FRT was taken at the Black Bull in Darvel where a pleasant hour was spent relaxing.

A lovely morning for a walk

In to the woods

The Lone Ranger minus Tonto

Getting strung out

Coffee stop

Helping hands

Coming back down to Darvel