Kilmarnock Ramblers . Auchenroy Hill Dalmellington.July 2011

Not a discription of Dalmellington I am familiar with.

Looking over Bogton Loch at the village.

A walker ripped her trousers here (no names)

This landowner does not want walkers on his or her land.

The River Doon on a pleasant afternoon.

Two of ADRC visitors today above the Doon.

The estate's curling rink.

All we need is some ice!!!!!!!!!!!

Next weeks "T bone steak"

This house must have travellers connections.

On the summit of Auchenroy.

The Kilmarnock Huddle. (Vote of thanks)

On a very warm sunny day I joined Kilmarnock and Loudoun Ramblers on their walk to Auchenroy Hill by Dalmellington. Once we all managed to find todays group which was a wee bit confusing as to the exact location of the car park but I will not dwell on the details least to say a car was sent out to round up the stragglers. 21 of us set off for Craigengillan Estate and a very easy walk along paths and roads until we reached our start point of the climb up to Auchenroy Hill(367M). The first part was relatively easy until we reached the long dry grass and the phrase "where the fuckkawi tribe"came to mind. Still it was a lovely day to test the walkers on their alibility on such rough ground. At the deer fence we had to climb a ladder where one of the lady walkers was heard to say "oh sh*t I have ripped my breeks". At this point in the walk she volunteered to become the back marker! I cannot imagine why.At the summit of Auchenroy Hill our rambling hill walking expert pointed out the various Galloway Hills that had come into view.The fact that he had been out until 1.30AM this morning celebrating his daughters 30th birthday was very commendable because at the start of the walk this morning he was not very sure  where he was and even asked one of the ladys for a dance!!On our descent we stopped for lunch and  were able to look down on Craigengillan Estate with its pony trekers and other walkers enjoying the area which the landowner has developed for all to enjoy and we must commend him for allowing us all to explore this area.Once we were in the grounds of the estate we passed some very fine specimen of trees which must be well over 100 years old. The area once boasted a curling rink in amongst a wooded area which protected it from the wind thus making the ice nice and even for the Grand Match (curling term). Two of todays walkers demonstrated to the group how the participants must have looked on the ice. (Names Witheld) A short walk from here took us back to the cars where we had the traditional Kilmarnock and Loudoun Huddle where a nominated walker proposed a vote of thanks to the walk leader. That was her that ripped her breeks.Honest I did not say that I overheard it in the huddle from someone else.Great day and thanks to all concerned you made your visitors  most welcome and we look forward to seeing some of you on ADRC future walks.
 Short note from the author to say I have accepted a challenge for tomorrow Monday 4 July (American Independance day) but that is totally irrelevant. I propose to leave Ayr on the 6.15AM bus to Glasgow and catch the 8.00AM connection to Arrochar where I will climb Ben Narnain (926M) crossing over to Ben Arthur(884M) more commonly known as the Cobbler.I have to do the walk in 5 hours to catch the connecting bus back to Glasgow. The challenge is to use the bus pass all the way take all food and refreshments with me , no money or credit cards in my possession . WISH ME WELL and an update will appear tomorrow night or later depending on my performance.