Walk and Burns Supper 22 January

The gathering and the walk

Alan, Allan, Billy, Davie C, Davie Mc, Dougie, Gus, Hugh, Ian, Jimmy, Johnny, Kenny T, Paul, Rex
We met at Johnny’s in order to drop off provisions for the evening’s Burns Supper. Thanks to Johnny for the coffee and scones!
Other than Allan, Johnny and Kenny, the company then set off to Irvine beach to walk from there to Barassie and back on a dreich January morning.

The Burns Supper

Alan, Alan McQ, Allan, Davie C, Davie Mc, Dougie, George, Gus, Ian, Jimmy, Johnny, Paul, Rex, Ronnie
The 9^th Ooters Burns Supper proved to be a roaring success.
Alan McQ addressed the haggis before Jimmy delivered a thoughtful and educational Immortal Memory as well as an entertaining Holy Willie’s Prayer. Derval Davie addressed the lasses and then donned his bunnet to astound us with his Tam o’ Shanter. Killie Davie gave us a laugh-a minute address to the Ooters, whilst Gus conducted proceedings expertly, even arranging for Johnny’s wall clock to stop at the appointed hour, as tradition dictates! All others present did the evening proud with their renditions, and Ian and Ronnie provided first class musical accompaniment.
Thanks must go to Helen and Johnny for hosting the event, to Johnny for being the evening’s chef and doing all the preparatory work e.g. placemats and songbooks, and again to both of them for having to clear up and get the house back in order. Thanks also to those who provided the ingredients for a really tasty meal and who made sure that the refreshments never ran out!
A great night! Well done to all!

Arrangements for 29th January 2020

Meet at 10 am in Wanlockhead Museum car park. The walk will take in Lowther and Green Lowther.

Prestwick to Troon Circular (almost!)

Bob, Iain, Ian, Gus, Killie Davie, Derval Davie, Kenny T, Jim, Dougie, Rex, Hugh and Billy

The win' blew as 'twad blown its last

12 of us foregathered on a  sunny but extremely blustery morning at the old Prestwick swimming pool. The waves were very high, no doubt cancelling the ferry services for yet another day, but the picture they presented was very appealing to the eye. Unfortunately Holy got her master into bother by jumping up at a girl's car door thinking it heralded the arrival of another Ooter and left a scratch mark on the car.
We set off shortly after ten, with the wind whipping up the sand and stinging our faces; luckily the wind was at our backs or progress would have been quite difficult. Kenny and Jim with Freya opted to walk along the sand as far as where the Pow Burn enters the sea and then return while the rest of us chose to walk along the top of the dunes. Normally we would have cut across Royal Troon Course, but because of the strong winds at our backs , we hied on along the sand which was very firm beyond the Pow Burn, saving us from getting sand in our faces.
A short respite was had at the toilets before we headed past the station to Fullarton Woods where the first of the snowdrops were in bloom. Having partaken of lunch on the benches as is our wont, we headed out to the ruins of Crosbie old church and down to the cycle path which we followed rather than crossing the golf course.
We arrived back at the car park approximately 3 hours and 35 minutes after setting off. Changing at the cars proved unpleasant as the wind was still whipping up the sand, which got in our hair and ears.
FRT was taken at the Pioneer with the usual variety of topics being discussed and the world  put to rights.

DMcM

Arrangements for 22 January

Just to confirm the arrangements for next week. Meet at Johnny's at 9.30 to drop off stuff for the Burns Supper. Thereafter the walk will be from Irvine Harbour to Barassie and back.

Arrangements for Wed 15th Jan

Meet in the car park beside the old Prestwick swimming pool at 10.00.a.m. The walk will follow the coast to Troon and return.