Burns Night 22 Jan 2020

NEED to know!
How many are coming.
What each attendee's contribution is.

Placemats, songbooks are being prepared, so above info required.

No more arm twisting - need volunteers.
"I've done my bit" - "I'll sit this one out"  DOES NOT CUT IT!

Passive wallflowers - Naw    Jaggy thistles owning the night - Aye

Still need 3 parts of the "formal" evening covered
1 Address haggis
2 Lassies
3 Grace

Everyone contributing to the evening's entertainment
has been our formula for a successful evening.

This is not like any other BS.
 This is the Ooters' BS.
Let us keep it that way.

Let me know ASAP

Loudoun Valley circular - 18 December

Davie M, Hugh, Paul, Kenny T, Robert, Gus

Whilst the majority headed off to Glasgow for their Play, a Pie (or Quiche) and a Pint the remnants gathered at Davie M's where they were treated regally by Davie and Kay to Victoria Sponge, Christmas pies and coffee. We were also greeted by Holly, recuperating from her recent illness.

After gorging ourselves we headed for Newmilns by the riverside (the reverse of that part of the walk from a few weeks ago) accompanied by Holly.  It was icy underfoot but the day was pleasant enough and we made good progress. As pre-arranged we were met in Newmilns by Kay who collected Holly, though it looked as if she could have gone on further. We also bade farewell to Kenny, though he had to walk back.

We crossed to the other side of the valley and this time we eschewed our usual stopping place at the cemetery, and headed up the steep hill past crumbling Dalwhatswood Farm.

Paul had considered heading back to Darvel from  the crossroads close to Foulpapple Cottage but we had made such good progress that he was persuaded to continue as far as Mucks Bridge. Paul and Davie were a bit behind the others and were discussing the time they had met their former colleague Janet as she exited her farm track onto our road ... and lo! and behold! she appeared again just as we approached the track.  We had a 10 minute blether before we parted company.

Davie pointed out ahead of us the private house that had been Sir Alexander Fleming's primary school so Paul chose not to turn around at Mucks Bridge but go on for a photo opportunity. At the old school building we were met by a friendly old collie  who seemed to be enquiring of Davie the whereabouts of Holly.  And Davie informed Paul there was was now no point turning back since Darvel was equidistant whichever route was taken.

At the T-junction where we turned towards Darvel the road was blocked by a "Road Ahead Closed" sign which, of course we ignored. A quick lunch was taken here before we headed off again.  Braidley bridge had suffered quite a bit of damage, hence the road closed sign, but it was fine for walkers.  We ascended another steep hill which Davie admitted to never having been able to cycle up and passed the track to Lochfield farm where Alexander Fleming grew up.

From there it was downhill all the way to Darvel and we were back at Davie's 3 hours 15 minutes after departing, covering 10 miles. We had set a rare old pace and had worked up a fair appetite for the curry to come.

Thank you Kay and Davie for the hospitality!

Festive season walk.

Meet at 10.00 a.m. in Annbank beside the bowling club for a circular walk along the river . Monday 30 th December.

Calendars

I have some extra calendars available should anyone wish them.
Just let me know.

Sorn to Kingencleugh 11 December

Allan, Billy, Davie Mc, Dougie, Gus, Hugh, Iain, Ian, Jimmy, Johnny, Kenny R, Paul, Rex, Robert

The horrendous weather of Tuesday had given way to a dry, fresh morning, but no chances were being taken as wet weather gear and umbrellas were to the fore.
Leaving the car park at Sorn kirk, we walked back up the main road and cut off towards Catrine where Allan and Jimmy met Peter who was out at the carol concert given by some young school kids in the square.
The next stop was for coffee under the Howford bridge where we noted that some of the graffiti that had accumulated over the years had been painted over. Good effort!
On reaching the Ballochmyle Viaduct consideration was given as to which route to take to the Haugh. Jimmy suggested it might be easier to take the lower route out and return by the higher path, and so we set off down towards the river. Before long though, Davie said that the water might be too high to continue, so we moved up to the higher path. Soon thereafter it became obvious that we weren’t heading for the Haugh after all, and were, in fact, making our way up to Kingencleugh. As tradition dictates, lunch was taken, in the sunshine, at the steps down to the railway and a pleasant quarter of an hour was spent.
The path adjacent to the main road which would lead us back down to the Howford bridge provided us with a couple of water obstacles to negotiate, but nothing too serious, and before long we were on the River Ayr Walk heading back to Catrine. Peter came out to join us and we had a good blether, at least until he told who was, and who wasn’t, on his Christmas card list. Oh, yes … there’s only one Peter Kleboe! It was good to see him again though.
Walking up past the Voes and following the path along the river and then up and down to Sorn we were back at the cars after four hours and ten minutes having covered the best part of ten miles.
Underfoot conditions had been much better than we could have hoped for after the rains of the previous day and, in fact, the river, although high, was not as high as expected. Overhead conditions had been excellent until, that is, we were getting changed at the end of the walk, when the heavens opened with rain and hail. If only It had held off for another five minutes!
FRT was taken at the Black Bull in Mauchline where the first to arrive scoffed the nibbles!
This had been a fine day out finished off with a good laugh in the pub!