Cunninghame Ramblers. Kildoon Hill by Maybole. February 2013

Plenty of new born lambs were seen today.

I took a short cut.

See text

Group photo.

Yesterday I joined Cunninghame ramblers who were walking an 8 mile route round Kildoon Hill on the outskirts of Maybole. I joined the group for the last 2 miles which was on hard road as I still have difficulty on uneven surfaces. Yesterday was a gloriously sunny day and it was just super to be out and part of a group once again.Thanks to the leader and everyone involved for making me feel so welcome after my enforced break. (boom boom)
  The reason I put on a photo of a plane overhead was to let everyone know of site where all the anoraks amongst us can look up to the sky on a clear day and with this tool can identify all the imfo attached to any flight. It will work anywhere in the world. Site is called "Flight Radar 24" and should be accessible using the link.

Day out to Perth .February 2013

First fence since November 2012.

The teacher by the River Tay.

On Tuesday 26th February the teacher joined me on the Megabus to the fair town of Perth situated in central Scotland. It was a glorious day with superb views of the Scottish countryside as we journeyed our way North.Once in Perth our first stop was Lidls supermarket to purchase a new pair of hiking boots for myself  so that I am prepared for the  forthcoming summer season. After a pleasant walk through the town centre we eneded up in Weatherspoons in Tay Street overlooking the famous river. After a few pints ,two large steaks and a bottle of wine we made our way back to Glasgow on the bus suitably fortified and ready for a wee sleep. Super day out with grateful thanks once again to the Scottish bus pass concession.

Good news on the rehabilitation.February 2013

Great news yesterday when I visited Ayr Hospital for a check up,the x rays showed everything is knitting together nicely and I have permission to increase my level of walking ,cycling and swimming. I have not ridden my bike since November and as for swimming all I will say it was a long time ago since I last swam in the local baths. Also yesterday the teacher came to Ayr and we had a two mile walk up round Greenan Castle in the glorious sunshine looking out over a flat calm Firth of Clyde. On Monday I did nearly 4 miles on the Ayr prom which is all hard surfaces,main problem at present is keeping my balance on uneven ground. The doctor has given me exercises to improve my balance involving rolling a small ball on the floor with the sole of my injured foot.Not be long now hopefully when I will be able to join a "C" walk. Watch this space.

Wigtownshire ramblers in Newton Stewart.9th February 2013

River Cree at Newton Stewart.

Yesterday Saturday February 9th I took the bus to Girvan and then onto Newton Stewart to meet up with my mother group who were doing a local walk at Knockman Woods. Originally I was going to walk to Minigaff to see if I could meet them there but once I arrived in Newton Stewart it was a wee bit dreich so I decided to have my packed lunch down at the riverside which last year seriously flooded captured so well on a u tube video produced by my good friend "the Newton Stewart Blogger" .Once refreshed I went to the Galloway Arms Hotel where the group were going to meet for an afternoon cuppa when low and behold when I arrived they were already there and gave me an enornmous cheer when I entered the room as most of them have not seen me for nearly 3 months ,I was very moved by the rapturous reception and for that I thank you all. Once I had caught up with all the gossip a very kind offer by one of the ramblers was extended to me for  a lift in her car back to Ayr which was graciously accepted . Great to see everyone  and assure you all it will not be long now before you have me out with you  again in some of the lovely hills in Galloway.

Outing to Ballantrae. February 2013

Site of June 2013 barbeque.

Some local notes on salmon fishing

and also the herring.

At one time this would have been a busy harbour.



Some early flowering crocuses.

 

Yesterday Wednesday February 6th I headed off by bus to Ballantrae on a cold but very sunny morning. The journey on the coast road after Girvan was wonderful with the Island of Arran and it's snow capped mountains standing out clearly on such a clear day. Once in Ballantrae I went down onto the shore to have a look at the site that Anne and I are proposing to use for two barbeques we are organising for ADRC and also Wigtown ramblers in June when hopefully the weather will be a lot warmer than it was yesterday.Passing through the village to the harbour I then went into the garden centre for a light lunch and to purchase my seed  potatoes for this year  I have always found their quality excellent and have used this source for the last 5 years,Epicures for the earlies and Desiree for the main crop.Pleasant run on the bus back to Ayr ended a lovely winters outing , giving me the opportunity to look at the hills I know so well and to remind myself that it won't be too long before I am up there again.

Walk on Sunday 3rd February 2013

First of all may I say a big thank you to all who read and commented on yesteday's blog I did not fully understand how many local followers I have, I really do appreciate all your kind comments. Today I left the house on a breezy cloudy morning and walked up the Dunure Road to the railway bridge that crosses the main road where I dropped down to the old railway line   and walked to the Alloway Burns Centre where I  took a wee break before deciding to carry on until I reached the Maybole Road in Rozelle which was a total distance of 3.2 miles.At this point I definitely had done enough so I phoned Anne to come and get me and drive me home. PS The duck meal was fantastic. (see yesterday's blog)

February 2013 update.

Greenan Castle.

Sorry I have not blogged for sometime but as a lot of you know a broken leg will heal in it's own time and there is no real way you can speed up nature.Today Saturday February 2nd I woke up to the most magnificent blue sky with little touch of frost on the ground. After a couple of bad days this week I decided there is no way I was going to miss out on such a fine day. Well wrapped up I headed firstly to the shore ably assisted by one crutch before taking the path up to Greenan Castle which has several swathes of flowering snowdrops beneath the hedgerows. Once at the castle the view to the north was of a snow capped Ben Lomond (974M) and also visible was Stob Binnean (1165M) to the south the whole of the island of Arran made this just a wonderful place to be .As I ventured along the path Craig Tara holiday park was a hive of activity as the contractors were preparing for the forthcoming season. Turning inland I was sheltered from the northerly breeze and could feel a little heat from the sun on my face made my thoughts turn to spring when hopefully I will be able to climb the Carrick Hills which at this point were directly in front of me looking very inviting indeed. Passing the recently renovated High Greenan House commanding wonderful views of the local countryside and the town of Ayr located down on the shore I reached the main Dunure Road and made my way to the new Co-Operative store to buy my morning paper when I noticed they were selling whole Gressingham duck cheap (as opposed to quack)  they were approching their sell by date. Arriving home after about 2 miles armed with the duck Anne and I are now looking forward to a nice Saturday evening dinner with a bottle of wine.To complete the perfect day all we need now is for Scotland to beat England in the 6 Nations rugby cup later on this afternoon.
 In conclusion it will still be a few weeks before I will be fit enough to go an a "C" grade walk but each day makes me more determined than ever to get back out on the hills to start enjoying the fellowship of my rambling groups once again.