South Ayrshire Ramblers. Prestwick to Barrassie circular. January 2012

Walkers being briefed by the leader.

The sea state today was "rough"



Making our way along the shore against the wind.




These two appear oblivious to the conditions!




These berries are  known as Sea Buckthorn.



At the view point on top of the ballast bank.

A rambling colleague used to own this building in Troon.

Troon has some rather affluent areas.

Fullarton Woods were carpeted in snowdrops.

An early flowering rhodedendrum.

Another Ryanair flight leaves Prestwick Airport.

Fullarton House



Todays birthday girl with her sash.



Our jovial leader.

Today Saturday January 21st I joined up with South Ayrshire ramblers on a 12 mile circular coastal walk from Prestwick to Barrassie. On a very windy cold morning 14 of us left the railway car park and made our way onto the shore for the first part of the walk against the wind towards Troon.It was quite difficult at first until you got warmed up a bit as the conditions were quite testing to say the least. At Troon we climbed up what is known locally as "the ballast bank" as it was constructed from ship's ballast. On the promenade road we found large bushes of sea buckthorn which is a favourite of fielfares as great source of vitmin D As we walked the Barrassie shore we stopped to watch the wind surfers out on the water trying to stay upright in the strong winds. we now made our way around the edges of Darley golf course to the Fullarton Woods and into the grounds of the house. Our leader gave us a brief history of the area and pointed out that the railway line that passsed nearby was the firstone in Scotland to carry fare paying passengers.Next we visited the site of the old Crosbie Church and cemetry where again we learnt a little bit of its history but this time we  were treated to a reading of some poetry. Once on the cycle track we made our way past Prestwick Airport back to the railway station to end a very entertaining windy walk. Thanks to the leader who was leading today for the first time as a member you did an excellent job handling the hecklers in the group.