Arrangements for Wednesday 26th March

Cumbrae

Meet in Largs in time for the 10.15am sailing to Cumbrae. Route can be decided on the day. Wet weather alternative will be a walk from Largs to Fairlie and return.

Erskine Bridge to Clydebank 12th March

 

Alan McQ, Allan, Graham, Gus, Hugh, Johnny, Kenny R, Malcolm, Paul, Rex

It was a bright, cold morning as we met at Caulders Garden Centre at Erskine for a coffee before starting our ‘fish supper’ walk to Clydebank. Going over the Erskine Bridge we had a cold breeze to contend with as well as the incessant traffic noise but after half an hour we were down the other side and joining the canal path. Progress was good and by quarter to twelve we were all at McMonagles for our various tasty treats at the picnic tables in the sunshine.

It was twenty past twelve when we set off on the return leg and, as usual, we were strung out but re-assembled at the exit from the canal. On the climb back up to the bridge some of our members took a wrong path and had to retrace their steps, much to the pleasure of the few who had taken the right path after all.

The walk had taken three and a half hours for the nine miles or so and, with Kenny and Paul choosing to go straight home, the rest motored to the Kings Arms in Fenwick for FRT. A good day out yet again!

 

Arrangements for Wednesday 19th March

Girvan to Maidens

Meet at the shorefront in Maidens in time for the 10.30am Service 60 bus to Girvan. Walk 8 miles back to Maidens via the Ayrshire Coastal Path. Wet weather alternative can be a walk from Maidens to Culzean Country Park.

A-Frame to Dumfries House 5th March

  

Allan, Davie Mc, Dougie, Graham, Gus, Hugh, Jimmy, Johnny, Paul, Rex, Robert

It had been raining heavily on the way to the A-Frame but, thankfully, it had gone off by the time we were ready to start our walk to Dumfries House. It was good to have Jimmy back with us and it was he and Davie who led us off. After a few minutes though we came to a halt when we discovered that Paul had gone back to his car as he had forgotten to put on his rucksack. Last week it was his boots, this week his rucksack! It comes to us all! By halfway to the rotunda, our coffee stop, the persistent drizzle had returned, but at least it wasn’t cold. On reaching there after forty minutes we discovered that a class of S.E.N. kids and their teachers/helpers were ensconced on the benches, but just as we were about to search for an alternative, they moved off leaving the seats for us – and no, Robert did not encourage them (see recent Prestwick to Troon walk). At least he said he didn’t.

Davie and Isla turned back at this point, leaving Jimmy to take us up through the estate to Dumfries House Lodges before coming down to skirt round the big house and back to the rotunda for lunch. It had been intended to visit the walled garden after lunch, but the rain was getting a bit heavier, so it was a no-brainer to simply make our way back to the cars in increasingly wet conditions.

We arrived back at about twenty to one having done five and a half miles and had then to find a way to get changed into dry clothes in the rain. Probably the hardest part of the outing. The Black Bull in Mauchline was very quiet when we arrived and, as usual, we got a good reception and were treated well with sausage rolls and biscuits provided. Thanks again, folks!

Despite the weather, we had enjoyed being out for the day. The weather dried up on our way home!

 

Arrangements for Wed 12th March

 Meet in Caulders Garden Centre Erskine, at 10.00a.m. for coffee. The walk will be our usual ,start by crossing over the bridge and make our way down to the canal.  We will follow the canal into Clydebank where we can acccess lunch from McMonagles restaurant. We will simply reverse the route and make our way to the King’s Arms Fenwick for liquid replacement therapy.