Alan, Allan, Davie C, Davie Mc, Graham, Gus, Hugh, Jimmy, Johnny, Malcolm, Paul, Rex, Robert
It was a fine, dry, warm morning at Knockroon as we awaited the bus to Ochiltree. However, Jimmy, complete with yet another gash on his head, silly boy, had left his bus pass at the caravan, so cousin Davie drove him to Ochiltree whilst the rest followed on by public transport. The riverside walk towards Dumfries House posed few problems other than a couple of small sections that needed repair and vegetation on either side of the track that needed cut back. Before too long we were at the juncture where we could go left to the A-frame (as we normally do) or go right, straight to Dumfries House. Unusually, the decision was to miss out the A-frame today and head straight for our coffee spot at our howff at the arboretum. It has to be said that this section of the path very much needed a trim (or a strim) but all were seated by ten past eleven enjoying their snacks and the good weather. The wooden shelter is still closed but there was adequate seating outside to accommodate the thirteen Ooters.
A visit to the walled garden was next on the agenda and the garden was looking terrific with a stunning border greeting visitors as they entered. Whilst some concentrated on the flowers and shrubs, and even took cuttings, others concentrated on the vegetable patches full of produce ready for the table. By the time we were leaving the garden it was noticed that Derval Davie and Isla were missing, and it was assumed that we would catch up with him back at the shelter, but we didn’t. It was surmised that he had started to walk back on his own and a couple of phone calls confirmed this. Whereas the walled garden was in good fettle, the arboretum and surrounding area was badly needing some TLC and although there were a couple of workers on site, it was certainly not looking in its normal pristine condition. Has maintenance been cut back? Who knows.
We eventually caught up with Davie just beyond the bypass and from there we took yet another overgrown path back up to the main road and then back down to Knockroon, arriving back about twenty to one. Jimmy took Davie back to collect his car whilst the rest took lunch before setting off to the sitooterie at the Black Bull in Mauchline where we received our usual hospitality. Thanks again, folks!
The walk was one of the shorter ones we will do being between six and seven miles but, given the warm temperature, it was perfectly satisfactory and was well rounded off with drinks and laughs at the pub.
Another good day out!
