Cairn Table 5 May

Allan, Davie C, Davie Mc, Dougie, Hugh, Iain, Ian, Jimmy, Johnny, Malcolm, Paul, Rex, Robert

The car park at Kames was overflowing this morning as another walking party had made that their meeting point as well, although they were not for the hill. The morning was cold and, although bright, there were plenty of clouds heralding the possibility of wintry showers.

Setting off in good spirits, the Sanquhar bridge was made in good time, where some took the opportunity to remove a layer or two. The walk to the start of the climb was not too bad at all underfoot, although some concern was raised about how boggy it would be if we came down the track at the front of the hill. Being the first hill that some of the Ooters had done in a while, some view stops were called for before a quick coffee was taken at the wee cairn. It was getting colder as we gained height so some of the layers that had previously come off went back on again before the final push to the top. As we approached the summit there were pockets of snow lying and, in the distance, we could see snow on Arran and on the Galloway hills. By quarter to twelve all were seated having lunch, making sure that we were well protected from the biting cold wind. The views today were excellent with an uninterrupted all-round vista. Iain, who had previously been congratulated on reaching his seventieth, produced several boxes of apple pies to accompany our pieces and we thanked him for his gesture, although there was some criticism that he had not heated them up or had brought cream and some champagne to wash them down! Seriously though, thanks Iain.

As we sat, we encountered some light snow mixed with some hail, and, given how cold it was, we set off down the front of the hill just after twelve. A number of hail showers accompanied us on our way down, but as we got towards the bottom the temperature increased and, out of the wind, it was much more pleasant. Underfoot on the descent was surprisingly decent with only a few really wet bits to speak of. Making our way back to the cars we crossed the old Muirkirk Juniors football ground where Paul was able to give us a bit of its history. It only took us an hour to come down meaning that the total walk had taken almost exactly three hours. Cairn Table is about 1950ft with about 1200ft of and ascent from the car park.

This was a good start to the Ooters return to the hills although the ascent, and for some, the descent showed that some conditioning was still required. Nevertheless, this was a good day out and we were glad that the walk hadn’t taken longer as there was some horrible wintry weather encountered as we travelled back from Muirkirk to Kilmarnock. When your scribe got back to Irvine it was positively tropical by comparison!

Ladeside Park, Muirkirk Juniors. Abandoned in 1986

 

Arrangements for Wed 12th May.

 Meet beside the loch in Lochwinnoch at 10.00.a.m. The walk used to be called the Snowdrop walk  but this year we will call it the Bluebell Walk as this is more appropriate at this time of year.

Ness Glen 28 April

 Allan, Billy, Davie C, Davie Mc, Dougie, Hugh, Jimmy, Malcolm, Paul, Rex, Robert

Coffee stop at Barbeth

The forecast had been for dry weather, but we had encountered some heavy showers on our way down to Dalmellington for our Ness Glen figure of eight walk. Fortunately, by the time we got there, it was dry, although cold, so jackets, gloves and hats were donned as we set off following our usual route.

Part of the walkway leading to the wooden bridge over the river had collapsed, but it was easily coped with although most chose to walk a bit further up the road and avoid the issue altogether. After half an hour the temperature had warmed sufficiently for layers to come off and Dalcairney Linn was reached in good time. We chose not to have coffee here but made our way up to Barbeth for our stop. It was cold again as we were exposed on the top of the hill, so we continued round to the sheltered remains of an old building where a pleasant quarter of an hour was spent.

As we left the field before heading up to Graigengillan we were pleased to note that the recent dry weather meant we did not have to trail through a muddy quagmire at the gate as is our norm. Before long we were at the start of the gorge and, by half past twelve, we were all seated in the shelter of the cool wind at the rocks beside Loch Doon enjoying the views. Jimmy had been to the café to find out about the osprey watch and was able to tell us that there was an osprey sitting on three eggs at the other side of the loch. There was a camera observing the nest.

We took the high road back down the glen and were all back at the cars by quarter past two. Nearly ten miles in just over four hours were today’s figures, and no rain at all.

A good day out!

The magic of the glen

The rear guard

Settling down for lunch

Arrangements for Wed 5 th May.

 Meet beside the old outdoor centre Kaimes,Muirkirk at 10.00.a.m. The walk is a traverse of Cairn Table.