ADRC Marathon walk from Girvan to Ayr. August 2014.

Full group leaving Girvan

First stop near to Turnberry.

Yesterday Saturday August 24th ADRC took the early morning bus from Ayr to Girvan for the annual marathon walk of 26 miles.With myself as leader 26 of us met at the railway station on a lovely warm sunny morning and after a small safety talk on marathon walking we were off on our way first of all past the golf course much to the amusement of the players who were queuing to play off the first tee.Soon out on the coast we followed the Ayrshire coastal path along the shore to Turnberry which was our first stop of the day. Suitably refreshed the next break was at Culzean Castle where seven of our group  had decided enough was enough and were collected by pre arranged transport. Down to nineteen it was off to Dunure along the Croy shore and up into the farmers fields, it was at this point we had a couple of small rain showeres which was a wee bit strange as it was lovely and sunny all around us with the exception of one dark cloud immediately above . It soon passed and we were treated to the most spectacular views of the Clyde and Arran from high up on the hills above the village.Dunure harbour was our next break for liquid refreshments as the going was to become a wee bit testing on the next few miles which had boulders ,soft sand and mountains of seaweed to navigate through. Once passed the Bracken Bay caravan site the going got a little easier underfoot but some of us were feeling a wee bit drained by now as we had completed 20 miles with another 6 still to go. We are a hardy bunch in ADRC unperturbed with sore feet we soldiered on with promise of lots of fine ale at the finish, it was this thought that certainly kept me going and I am sure a few of the others. The last 3 miles were along Ayr promenade which took us all to the finishing point at our local Wetherspoons (pub) where everyone enjoyed a well earned pint or three to replenish the sweat lost throughout the day, it is a proven fact that on this type of marathon most people will lose 4/5 pounds of their weight which was soon put back on with all the beer and food consumed. A wonderful day coupled with the fine weather made this the most memorable marathon I have had the honour of organising   for this rambling club. Thanks to all who took part in the marathon your company and banter made the pain and suffering all worthwhile.

Footnote. My good friend the "Duke" will later on today produce a utube of yesterday with lots of photos etc and  will post a link to his site later when I receive it.(hence the reason for a lack of photos on my blog)
The link is :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZBgrPlZgbE&list=UUWZlcEbp7CL3nMxvU_lWgjw

2 reccies this week. August 2014

This was the Barr trails recce.

On Tuesday August 19 I met with the teacher in Girvan to do part of the recce for this weekends annual marathon with ADRC. It was a lovely sunny windy morning to do a shore walk as we made our way first to the Maidens and then onto Culzean and Dunure a total distance of about 15 miles. We finished there as yesterday we were off to Barr to recce next weeks Cunninghame ramblers walk on the forest trails.Again we chose a nice sunny day and ably assisted by the deerstalker and her cousin we did a further 8 miles working out different ways to vary a well known walk. Two most enjoyable days walking and now looking at weather forecasts for this Saturday which  are favourable at present so all we need is a dry day to walk 27 miles to a well known watering hole in Ayr.

Footnote: Long trousers would be beneficial on the early part of the marathon due to tides we will have two small diversions which are fairly overgrown with nettles etc.

Cunninghame ramblers. Ayr parks and shore walk. May 2014

Walk leaders opening remarks

Todays group

The deerstalker was todays leader

A lot of the walk was on the cycle paths

Greenan castle

Walking along the shore

Some unusual tree stumps have been washed up

The River Doon

Robert Burns monument,Alloway

Very colourful gardens

Ideal place for a comfort break

Taking shelter in the old railway tunnel

First of all my apologies but the photos are not in my usual order as most of you know by now the leader normally occupies the last slot but something has gone a wee bit wonky and as I have consumed a wee swallie in Wetherspoons earlier on I am not even going to try and correct it.
Today a change of programme at Cunninghame Ramblers we were originally going to Rothesay but due to the inclement forecast  a decision was taken to stay locally and keep the Island of Bute for another day. 11 of us met at Rozelle park in Ayr on a cloudy morning but at least it was dry as we headed off towards Alloway and the old railway line tracks. At the visitors centre we had a short break in the lovely gardens around the Burns Monument for a wee cup of coffee and a blether . Next we headed for the shore passing Newark Castle with its pheasant farm before arriving on a very pleasant sunny beach with gannets hunting the waters for their food. Next we headed over the old racecourse to Corsehill park where we had lunch in the walled garden before a lovely walk through Bellislle back to Rozelle. Apart from a couple of small showers we had a dry sunny 8 mile  walk not exactly the predicted forecast but as the deerstalker who was our leader stated you canny trust the BBC. Good walk thanks to all who took part.

ADRC marathon Ayr to Girvan. March 2013

13 "purists"set off at 7.30AM (apologies to the "Duke" he is the cut off on the left)

First town on the route.

Donning the waterproofs at the Maidens.

Girvan's crocuses are just about to come into full bloom.

The pilot and the Girvan Lass enjoy a pint at the end.

Yesterday Saturday March 9th I was supposed to lead ADRC on their annual marathon walk to Girvan but as you all know by now due to my injury I was unable to fulfill my duties so Mr Chairman and Madam Vice kindly agreed to assume my role.I met the group of 13 at Greenan Castle car park where they were start their 26 mile marathon where I explained that they were extremely honoured to be described as "purists" as only the walkers who complete the course can have that accolade attached to their names.On a cold cloudy morning the group made their way along the shore whilst I went home for breakfast before getting  the bus to Dunure to meet the group coming down off Brown Carrick hill which was included in the walk this year to increase the mileage to marathon status.Madam Vice had joined the group by this stage as due to her cold had decided to have a later start and join the walkers at the summit of the hill(NOT A PURIST)).Once in the village the Girvan Lass also joined in the fun (AGAIN NOT A PURIST) making a grand total of 15 walkers heading out to the next port of call which was  Culzean Castle whilst I went back on a bus to Ayr to connect with one to the Maidens where I would meet the group again.They were making excellent time when I met them leaving the castle's estate to walk along the village prom before heading off to Turnberry home of the world famous golf course. I then caught another bus to Girvan where I went to Roxy Bar to watch the Scotland /Wales six nations rugby match which unfortunately Scotland lost . When I was in the bar I met the group's newly appointed Right Honourable Treasurer accompanied by his guid lady enjoying the beer and the game when he spotted me and started to offer up excuses why he was not out in the rain with the group enjoying the delights of the Turnberry shore. Just be honest sir you were never going on the walk but your secret is safe with me!The group finally made the Harbour Bar at about 4.30PM which was a very commendable time,  some of the credit must go to the Kilmarnock Rocket who lived up to his reputation and led from the front at a very past pace encouraging the others to keep going on what turned out to be a dreich afternoon in the drizzly rain. Once everyone was in the bar a small refreshment was enjoyed by all and a vote of thanks to the leaders. My own appreciation was also expressed to Mr Chairman and Madam Vice for stepping into my shoes and putting in a lot of hard work reccing the route so that the group could have a safe and enjoyable day out. Next year I have had a suggestion that we do our marathon in  September from Girvan to Ayr which could make transport arrangements easier to organise. I will look into this idea and report back to the committee.