Castle Semple 9 February

Alan, Allan, Davie C, Davie Mc, Dougie, Gus, Hugh, Iain, Jim, Jimmy, Johnny, Kenny T, Malcolm, Paul, Rex, Robert

The forecast promised wintry showers in amongst some sunny spells, and it was spot on. Sixteen of us waited in our cars at the car park at Castle Semple for the heavy, sleety rain to go off, but, as if by magic, come ten o’clock, the sky was blue, and we set off on our walk to Howwood. We took the path by the loch for the first leg before taking the cycle track up to the turn off to the folly. Kenny had taken Freya up through Parkhill Wood, but everyone else had stuck to the path, and when he got to the turn off, he turned back to retrace his steps.

There was quite an even split as some took to the path round Kenmure Hill whilst the rest went up to the folly, but as we were getting together again at the far side of the hill, the rain and hail hit us again. By the time we got to the end of the track and met the road there was a view to shorten the walk by going left up the road and re-joining the cycle path back to the cars. A few pointed out brightening sky in the distance and were in favour of finishing what we had started. The majority won and we all took the shorter option, although by the time we had regained the path, the sun was out. The last ten minutes saw us in rain again, but we got it dry to get changed before taking our pieces in the cars. We hadn’t seen the snowdrops at Auchengrange House, the purpose of our walk, but had seen a small outcrop just past the loch.

The walk had taken two hours and ten minutes and we had covered about six miles, a short walk for a Wednesday, but few complained as it meant we could hit the Brown Bull in Lochwinnoch earlier, where a very convivial hour was spent.

Arrangements for Wed 16th Feb

 Meet in Irvine at Johnny’s house for tea/coffee and scones at 9.30a.m. The walk will be led by Johnny around Irvine and will be between 1-3 hours depending on the weather.  Some apres walk refreshments might also be provided by our generous host.

ADDENDUM - posted by Jmatt - 10/02/2022

I'll prepare a pot of soup and some bread; get in some ales for those whose palate might be too delicate for the well matured lockdown brews of 2020.  I'll take requests - within reason and polite. Johnny

Hurlford to Galston 02022022

Alan, Allan, Davie C, Davie Mc, Dougie, Gus, Hugh, Jim, Jimmy, Johnny, Kenny T, Rex, Robert

It was another dreich morning as we assembled at Hurlford Bowling Club for our walk to Galston. There was a persistent smir, but it was unseasonably mild as we took to the Grougar Path emerging on to Milton Road. Some of the guys were in favour of taking the path along the river but, finding the path fenced off, they decided to join the rest who were sticking to tarmac. Normally a fence wouldn’t have stopped them, but it would have been mucky. Loudoun Kirk was reached after an hour and a quarter and coffee/lunch was taken as the smir became a drizzle.

Jim and Kenny turned back at this point whereas most took the tarmac road up to the entrance to Loudoun Castle and then down in to Galston to find the start of the Chris Hoy Way beyond Grant’s factory. Derval Davie, Hugh, Jimmy, and Robert took the alternative, shorter route following the track from the Kirk into Galston and going up through the scheme to meet the cycle track where they had to wait a good fifteen minutes for the rest to join them. Changed days indeed as, in the past, the motto would have been employed!

The bridge over the Cessnock Water was reached at ten to one and a stop was called for to have a drink and to finish what was left of our pieces. The walk back to the cars didn’t take long meaning that the nine miles or so had taken three and a half hours in total. Mind you the full distance was only covered by those who didn’t take the shortcut to the cycle path! There had been some discussion about where to have FRT but eventually we decided on First Edition in Bank Street, Kilmarnock, and a very acceptable howff this proved to be. The banter was lively and, in some instances, unrepeatable!

Look what I've been missing all these weeks!

 Snowdrop time

 

Alan Stewart’s birthday Curry.

 The Jewel [in the Crown] Kilmarnock has now been booked for 18 persons at 7.00.p.m. on the evening of the 2nd March. Anyone who for whatever reason can not be there please let me know as soon as possible.

Arrangements for Wed 9th Feb.

 Meet in the car park beside Lochwinnoch at 10.00.a.m. The walk is the Snowdrop Walk which we are all familiar with.