Arrangements for 26th October

Falls of Clyde

Meet at Kirkfieldbank at 10am.

Ayr 12 October

 

Allan, Davie C, Dougie, Gus, Johnny, Malcolm, Rex, Robert

The heavy overnight rain had subsided by the time we met at the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum but, since there was still a slight drizzle, we decided to take a coffee in the café before setting off on our walk. It was about twenty to eleven when we emerged into dry and brightening weather, and these conditions remained with us for the rest of our day.

Rex led us down Shanter Way and then to the riverside path until reaching Greenfield Avenue, at which point we turned left and walked down to the Secret Garden restaurant. Taking the adjacent path, we continued to the Millennium Bridge and then walked out towards Greenan Castle. Passing below this, we immediately took the path up to the castle, our lunch spot. It was bright and breezy here, but enough shelter was found to enjoy our break.

Moving on we followed the track up to a farmer’s field, which we skirted until reaching the tarmac which took us on the familiar road up to Dunure Road. We had two options. To go right and then follow the cycle track back towards the cars, or go left, and take the pavement back towards Belleisle. As we knew there was an Art Exhibition at Rozelle, we chose the second option and entered Belleisle at the bottom of the afore mentioned Greenfield Avenue. Since we were there, we spent some time in the tropical atmosphere that was the glasshouse and were impressed by the many exotic plants, but it was so hot and sticky in there that we didn’t delay for too long.

Having walked across the golf course, we entered Rozelle for a bit of culture. The main exhibition and sale was in aid of ‘Save the Children’, with all the proceeds from the sale of the exhibits going to the charity. It was certainly worth a look. The other exhibition was by the artist Charles Jamieson, whose paintings were very expensive and met with mixed reviews from our panel of experts.

Making our way back down to the road, we headed towards Alloway and were back at the cars at quarter to two, having covered six and a half miles.

FRT was taken in the convivial atmosphere of the Balgarth Pines where a most enjoyable and entertaining time was spent.

 

Arrangements for Wednesday 19th October

Lendalfoot to Girvan

Meet at the Ainslie car park at the south end of Girvan at 10am (you might like to arrive a little earlier and have second breakfast at David's Snack Bar). We will need to allow ourselves 10 minutes to walk half a mile from the car park back into town to get the 358 service bus to Lendalfoot. The bus is scheduled to leave from the stop at the junction between Glendoune Street and Elder Avenue at 10:37 and arrive in Lendalfoot at 10:48. 

From Lendalfoot, we will walk the seven miles back to Girvan. There are options of a high-level route which crosses Pinbain Hill, Grey Hill and Byne Hill or a low-level route which follows the Ayrshire Coastal Path. 

We last did this walk in August 2017.

Dean Park to Craufurdland 5 October

 Allan, Davie C, Dougie, Gus, Johnny, Malcolm, Paul, Rex, Robert

The decision to change today’s walk was the correct one as it rained, not too heavily, from beginning to end, although it was warm and relatively calm. We headed from the Dean Park car park up towards the renovated castle where we met Laura, Derval Davie’s daughter, and chatted to her for a couple of minutes before continuing up the paths and on to the tarmac. Given the recent rain it had been no surprise to see the rivers gushing down below us in the park and, when we reached the ford, there was no way any vehicle could have crossed today. (It had been decided to come this way, rather than going straight to Craufurdland, to create something of a circular walk rather than straight out and straight back).

Turning left on to Grassyards Road we walked on and then turned left towards the entrance to Craufurdland. It was about twenty past eleven when we stopped under a large tree at the Laird’s Table in order that Davie could have his piece, and to allow the rest of us to dry off a bit.

We were soon on our way again and took the shortest route back to the cars, returning to them two and a half hours after having set off, and having covered about seven and a half miles. We were wet, but it dried up long enough for us to get changed and into the cars.

Billy joined us in the First Edition for FRT, and most also partook of a lunch, OK for the price but not haute cuisine. Many thanks to Davie and Malcolm, our birthday boys, for buying today's drinks, meaning the kitty wasn't touched. Robert entertained us with one of his senior moments, to rival, if not surpass, the episode in Rothesay when he saw someone that looked like him in the pub. Of course, he was looking at his own image in a large mirror. Those who weren’t present will have a laugh when they hear the story. A grand finish to what had been a damp day out.

Update on arrangements for 12th October. Meet at 10am.

 The cafe doesn't open until 10am so we will meet at 10am. We can decide then whether and/or when we wish to take coffee. The later meeting time should mean we avoid the worst of the traffic.