ADRC . Knockdolian and Barbeque. June 2013

A members brand new car.

We had to stop to remove jackets.

Getting ready to climb "Knockdolian"

Already quite well spread out.

Almost there.

Everyone made it to the summit.

Barbeque on the shore.

Once we were all fed and watered.

Guess which one was the chef!!

Back in business thanks to a visit from my son who has installed a new server and resolved my problems.
Yesterday Saturday June 29th ADRC  left Ayr to go to Ballantrae for a 6 mile walk up Knockdolian to be followed by a barbie on the shore organised by Anne and myself. 21  of us made our way on a mild cloudy morning along the road that would lead us to the start of the climb where we stopped for a coffee break prior to the serous business of the day. I am pleased to report all members made it safely to the summit to enjoy the wonderful views of the Clyde and beyond. The descent is always a wee bit scary in places but it was not long until everyone was back down on to the road back to Ballantrae. At this point Anne collected me in the car so that we could go back to the shore and light the barbie. Madam Vice very kindly took over as leader of the group for the return leg to Ballantrae.Anne and I soon had everything organised for the group when they returned to enjoy burgers,chicken and salads.Thankfully the rain stayed off  to make it another memorable barbeque which subject to the committees approval will be repeated again next year.

I am back

Hopefully all problems have now been fixed. Watch this space for this weekends blog.

temporary problems

Hi folks sorry but I am having a few wee problems with Internet explorer at present hence the lack of blog updates. However I am hoping that my son will visit soon and put me back in business. Wigtownshire ramblers held a barbeque on Ballantrae shore last Saturday that has been well blogged by "The Newton Stewart blogger" and you can keep up to date on his site. Hopefully back on line before too long.

ADRC Prestwick to Troon circular. June 2013

The "hardy group".

Yesterday Saturday June 15th 6 of us set off from Prestwick shore on a drizzly wet windy morning to walk to Troon on the shore and as I was the walk leader I had no option but to go.Once we were under way the rain abaited with the wind  blowing on our backs ,waterproofs soon dried out to make the going so much more pleasant, when out of the sky on it's approach to Prestwick Airport we had a wonderful view of The new Dreamliner practicing circuits and bumps.Once in Troon we walked along the top of the ballast bank and returned by the yachting marina with all it's large boats.The group decided as it was still dry to make our way back to the start and have our lunch at the finish . Passing through Royal Troon Golf Course there were not many golfers out due to the strong winds blowing in off the Clyde. Once we were on the Ayrshire Cycle Path the rain was approaching and to be honest for the last two miles it poured down resulting in us all getting a wee bit drookit . Lunch stop was cancelled as we all decided to make our way home straight away to get changed into some dry clothes.It was good to get out and do a 9 mile walk in conditions which were not ideal,thanks to my fellow walkers for joining me and lets hope for better weather for the club's barbeque on Saturday June 29th at Ballantrae,please contact either myself or Madam Vice for tickets and arrangements.

Wigtownshire ramblers. The Lochans to Portpatrick. June 2013

Meeting at Lochans school.

Have no idea what type of vehicle this is.

Old railway bridge.

Sweetie time.

Large swathes of bog cotton.

One way to avoid the barbed wire

and here's another.

Portpatrick wind farm.

Bluebells were still flowering at Dunskey Gardens.

Today's group

Leader and assistant.

Yesterday Saturday June 8th I went by bus to Stranraer to meet my mother group who were doing an 8 mile walk from the Lochans to Portpatrick on a new route worked out by our leader.21 of us met in the school car park on a lovely warm sunny morning and after a quick briefing of the walk we were soon on our way through the village to Duchra farm to pick up an old track up to the communication mast which  stands on top of Cairn Pat (182M),  was also the site of an old fort.From here it was across rugged country with lots of fences to be negotiated,some went over ,some went through and some went under the many obstacles much to the amusement of  the walkers.Lunch was taken in the shadow of Portpatrick wind farm which was not working today as there was no wind to drive the turbines. The next part of the walk was on rough track until we reached the road that took us to Dunskey Gardens where the leader had organised coffee and scones in the tearoom. I thanked our leader for such an interesting walk and how much work she had put into reccing it 4 times to try and avoid cattle with their calves,before setting off for Portpatrick and the bus back to Ayr.
A fuller more comprehensive blog will appear on "The Newton Stewart" bloggers page later today.

Dailly to Girvan. June 2013

Maxwellston Hill. (314M)

Saugh Hill (296M)

Yesterday Thursday June 6th the teacher and myself walked from Dailly over the hills to Girvan ,a distance of about 10 miles. It was a beautiful day and towards the end we were both feeling the effects of the heat which is the first time in over year I have made that statement. Great day in superb conditions with wonderful views.PS. Leg is getting stronger every day.

Cunninghame Ramblers.Girvan Hills circular. June 2013

Preparing for our walk.

Girvan with Arran in the background.

Everybody admiring the views.

A lovely spot for morning coffee break.

Well, it was a warm day!!

Group on summit of Troweir.

Mr and Mrs walk leaders.

Yesterday I joined Cunninghame Ramblers for their midweek walk at Girvan. 17 of us met on a very warm sunny morning (yes we do get the occassional one) to do an 8 mile circular "B" walk to 3 hills in the area above the town. The first hill was Dow Hill (159M) which gave us our first glimpse of the wonderful views we were going to see today. Dropping down off the hill our leaders had found a really nice spot for coffee break complete with logs to sit on. Once refreshed it was good steady climb up a path to Laggan Hill (269M) and then past some Highland Cattle complete with large horns to take us to Troweir Hill (269M) with it's panoramic views of the Clyde where we had our lunch stop. We now headed back to the start via some steep slopes and the dreaded fences but as usual we all made it safely down ,some quicker than others!Everyone thanked the leaders for today's walk the weather and  magnificent scenery had made it a most memorable day out.

ADRC Hurlford to Galston circular. June 2013

Sculpted completely from horse's shoes

and aptly named.

Coffee stop in a small memorial garden

Today's group minus one

Ah there she is!

Today's leader.

Yesterday Saturday June 1st ADRC travelled to Hurlford to do an 8 mile circular walk via Galston. A "baker's dozen" left the car park in Hurlford to join the Chris Hoy cycle track to Galston on a pleasant warm sunny morning. On reaching Galston the leader took us to a small garden that had been constructed by local school children in memory of those who were killed in the Dunblane massacre of 1996.We now crossed the river Irvine which took us past the remains of Loudoun Kirk which also served as a convenient place to have our lunch break in the grave yard with it's many places  to sit  and enjoy reading the inscriptions of the headstones.We now walked on a country road back to a path which took us down onto the banks of the River Irvine and back to Hurlford. Great walk in good company with thanks to our leader, ably assisted by hubbie, we only took one wrong turning during the walk! My tip for the Derby unfortunately did not win, so my sincere apologies for that but as I said at the time "don't listen to me ".