Arrangements for 2 June

Dunure to Culzean and back

Meet at Dunure  at 10am. Hopefully we can access the usual car park as the bar is closed.

Knock Hill 19 May

Allan, Davie C, Dougie, Hugh, Iain, Ian, Johnny, Malcolm, Rex

The boys are back in town!

On a lovely late spring morning we set off for Knock Hill via Routenburn Road. The pull up the road meant that any lingering fleeces were dispensed with as we made our way towards the cut-off for the hill. Allan and Dougie pointed the way but those at the front today (the guilty know who they are) were not convinced, so we all continued down the road until a signpost pointed us up to the right. We then had a steep wee climb back up to the track grass track which took us to our coffee stop, not our usual one as we hadn’t reached the broken-down wall yet, but we were in need of sustenance.

A few minutes up the track and we passed the aforesaid wall and continued up to where we cut across to join the recognised path up to the hill. We probably cut across a bit too soon as we encountered a relatively new barbed wire fence, soon negotiated with no casualties, and then noted that the boggy field that we cross (although pretty dry today) was in the process of being planted with young trees with lots of trenches having been dug. It may be in future that we have to slightly change our route up the hill. No matter, we all made it to the path, again no issues with underfoot conditions, and soon were at the base of the ‘cone’. Here we split into two factions with some going straight up and others taking the spiral path around and up. By midday all were seated at the top having lunch, but in the shelter from a wee wind. The viewing conditions were very good but, as we finished our pieces, a dark cloud came over, so we moved on and got about a minute’s worth of very light rain before the excellent conditions returned.

Our route back to Largs was down the hill and over the golf course and we were back in the town just after one o’clock. Hugh had to be back early and, as he was Davie’s chauffeur, the Kilmarnock contingent had to turn down FRT (can you believe it?), whilst the rest made their way to the beer garden at Drouthy Neebors where we thoroughly enjoyed the experience, albeit restricting ourselves to one drink as most were driving.

The walk had taken just over three hours and, although there was some debate about the length of the walk, it was probably between seven and eight miles. The return to FRT had been a long time coming and we hope there are no further setbacks on our road to normality.

A grand day out!

 

Arrangements for 26 May

 Annbank Circular

Meet at (or near) Annbank Bowling Club  at 10am for the walk to Auchincruive and back.

Castle Semple and Howwood 12 May

Allan, Billy, Davie C, Dougie, Gus, Hugh, Ian, Jimmy, Johnny, Kenny T, Malcolm, Paul, Rex, Robert

We'll tak he high road ...

There was a light drizzle as we assembled at the car park at Castle Semple, but most chose not to don wet weather trousers in the hope that it would dry up. This walk is normally done in February and known as the ‘Snowdrop Walk’ but, being May, we christened it the 'Bluebell Walk’.’ Taking the loch side path, we soon reached the cycle path where most decided to go up through Parkhill Wood and past the collegiate church rather than simply walk down the path. Underfoot conditions were fine and soon we were all joined up again and heading for the folly on Kenmure Hill. Johnny, Robert and Ian took the path round the hill and had a coffee stop at the bench beside the globe whilst the rest went up to the folly and had a coffee. By this time, it had dried up, although the grass was a bit damp to sit on, so we remained standing whilst we had our break.

The 'Bluebell Walk'

We didn't go in today

Having reached the gate which leads you on to the road into Howwood, Kenny turned back as he had other plans, so thirteen of us walked into the village and promptly missed the turn off to the steps. By the time we realised this we were at another opening and rather than turn back we took a chance and found a path that took us up on to the road we had been seeking. Something to remember for the next time!

As we continued on the drag up the hill, the road being closed to cars due to re-surfacing work, the combination of the rising temperature and the effort of the climb led to layers coming off well before we reached Bowfield. We stopped for a few minutes here to make sure that everyone was present, especially Davie and Rex, although we knew that Gus was ahead of us and would be waiting at the sign for the path to Newton of Belltrees. Again, underfoot conditions here were better than expected and we made the road at the top of the hill in good time. Having reached our usual lunch spot it was decided that the grass was too wet to sit on, so we continued to Auchengrange House, the site of the snowdrops. Obviously, this not being February, there were none on view, so we didn’t delay and continued down the hill and back towards Lochwinnoch. There was some light rain by this time, but we decided to stop for lunch at the picnic benches at the RSPB site, and, although these were wet, we made the best of it and before long the sun had broken through again.

We were back at the cars by about half past one, having covered nine miles, where thoughts turned to the following week and the prospect of perhaps having some beer garden FRT.

Going up to Newton of Belltrees

 

Arrangements for Wed 19th May.

 Meet in the parking area beside the Gogo burn in Largs. Meet at 10.00a.m. The proposed walk is Knock Hill .