Recce No.3 for ADRC. Straiton to Dalmellington. July 2012

Slightly confusing way marker.

Dalmellington's contribution to the Jubilee.

At the summit of Auchenroy.

Today the colour co-ordinator and myself went to Dalmellington to climb Auchenroy Hill and complete a recce I am doing for a future walk for Ayr and District Ramblers. My fellow blogger (the Newton Stewart one) did an excellent blog of this hill back in May 2012.Today was a wee bit cloudy but mild and dry as we set off through Craigengillan Estate past the home farm to the base of Auchenroy. This is the part of the walk I have found difficult in my previous two recces so I was determined to crack it today. Picking up a quad bike track we slowly made our way up the hill until the track disappeared in the undergrowth and it became a wee bit difficult. Anyway we made it up but once on the summit another route became visible to us so we followed this route and both agreed this was the way to take a group as we kept our height and missed out all the tussocks that had caused us the problems on the way up.Safely back at the forest we decided to extend our walk along some paths but once we were deep in the forest the flies and midges decided to annoy the hell out of us so we gave that idea up and got back onto open moorland and  a slight breeze kept the little blighters at bay. In the estate we took the path which takes you up past the back of  Bellsbank before arriving  in Dalmellington where we stopped for a seat at the new memorial to the Queen's Jubilee. We covered 12 miles today in dry conditions and  thanks to my walking partner who helped me complete the final part of the recce to enable me to submit the walk to the planning committee for their approval to include in the winter programme.

Our grandsons July 2012

"I am still the taller of the two of us"

Anne and I had the two of them today as playgroups are all on holiday at present. Great time was had by all and now it is 7.00 at night we are  off to feed the ducks on the River Doon before bathtime for the kids followed by a doovie movie.

ADRC Awful Hand range of hills. July 2012

Preparing for walk.

Midges were out in force.

Morning coffee at Shalloch on Minnoch.

One of the many steep ascents.

A very distant Knockdolian

Lunch on Kirriereoch.

Now we had to climb up this lot!!

A small lizard enjoying the sunshine.

The Awful Hand group.

The two groups met on the Merrick.

The back marker.

Our walk leader.

Today Saturday July 14th the walk was described in the programme as an "A+" grade.We all knew before we started this was going to be a wee toughie.The title of the walk was The Awful Hand Range of hills as from a distance you can see the fingers of a hand if you use your imagination.16 of us met in a lay- by just past the Stinchar Bridge on a still cloudy morning which brought the dreaded midges out in force so we did not hang about and set off for Shalloch on Minnoch ( 768M) which was the first of today's 4 hills. A wee bit boggie underfoot it was not long before we were into our stride and after a good hour climbing we were all on the summit , shortly we were away again to Tarfessock (786M) there was not a lot of time for refreshments as we still had 3 more climbs to do . Next was an extremely steep one called Kirriereoch (786M) which was best climbed on your hands and knees or as it is sometimes described "mild scrambling". We were allowed a quick break here for some welcome refreshments before tackling the Little Spear which is a hard climb to the summit of the Merrick(843M) where we met up with 8 other members of Ayr and District Ramblers who under the leadership of Madam Vice had opted to an alternative walk up  on the tourist route.Once we all admired the wonderful views we made our way down over Benyellery back to the car park where our leader had arranged transport back to the start.
  An excellent 11 mile hard linear walk with a big thank you to our leader and his back marker for making all the arrangements, a most memorable day in the hills of South Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway.

Carrick Hills circular. July 2012

My two walking colleagues.

Today Wednesday July 11th the colour co-ordinator and myself were very honoured with a visit from the Stranraer farmer whose car was in a local garage in Ayr to be serviced. (that is another story that you don't want to know about)As he had not walked the Carrick hills before I got an opportunity to tell him  all my storys from this area again as when I walk with other groups they all moan at me as they have heard them  before. We only did 9 miles today as we had to get back to Ayr to collect said car so we walked to Dunure along the shore in what can only be described as a stunning sunny morning with wonderful clear visibility south and west,to the north we could see the rain clouds but they never threatened us. Up past Fisherton school ,lunch at the Brown Carrick trig point before coming down to get the bus back to the car at the Bracken Bay caravan site. Super days walking all in glorious sunshine now when was the last time I said that?

Maybole circular with two new wee twists. July 2012

At the trig point on Craigfin (227M)

Just a brief posting today Tuesday July 10th as this is a walk I have blogged many times in the past. I met the groups colour co-ordinator, the teacher and a new guest today "Miss teacher" who is on holiday from the classroom at present . Leaving Maybole baths car park we headed over the normal route passed the monument on the hill until we crossed the style at the road. Here we turned right to High Burncross and Altewan farms to look for a track which was clearly marked on the map. Alas they did not mention mud and fences this is not a route to be taken particularly if it is wet the going was a wee bit challenging to say the least. Once back on the right road we went up to the gate which takes you through a boggy track to the murder plaque. Here it was my suggestion to avoid this area we would go up Craigdon and over the hill to meet up with the path at the top. Well the grass was quite long and extremely wet but wonderful views of the Clyde from the summit. After lunch we rejoined the normal track over Craigfin and back to Maybole. Considering it was a wee bit drizzly when we started we were lucky it soon dried off and  all enjoyed this 8 mile walk which with our new wee twists changed it completely from the normal route.

Wigtownshire ramblers. Barony Hill by Dailly. July 2012

Leader explaining today's route.

Group at summit of Barony Hill. (319M)

Today Saturday July 7 I  joined my mother group for an 8 mile walk up Barony Hill near to the South Ayrshire village of Dailly. 19 of us left the village square on a mild cloudy morning to the path through Lindsaystone woods to take us up to  Barony Hill. Again this week the blog is very brief as my good friend the Newton Stewart Blogger was with us he will be publishing a very full and professional blog of todays walk. (Thanks J.D.) Lunch was taken at the old limestone quarry before dropping down throught the woods to a path along the river Girvan back to the village. A super days walk in dry weather which made a wonderful change to all the wet days we have experienced recently. Big thanks to the teacher who was our leader today and also the back marker who carried out his duties admirably with only a wee hint of moans about the slow pace of which he is not normally associated with.


Cunninghame ramblers. Cloud Hill by Sanquhar.. July 2012

Today's "B" walkers.

The "B" leader!!

Yesterday Tuesday July 3 I met the group at Sanquhar who had organised a "C" and "B" grade walks. The B's were doing an 8 mile trek utilising parts of the Southern Upland Way . On a cloudy fairly dreich morning we started our climb to the base of Cloud Hill well it was not long until we were in the clouds when the rain and drizzle started. Very shortly afterwards we were all soaked when the leader decided to just go to the base of the hill to have a lunch stop and return by the same route as you could follow the path quite easily in the thick mist. Once we descended to below cloud level it was quite a nice warm day the real problems were at height. Arriving back at the cars we met up with the other group to end a wet, soggy, and  mucky day but as usual we all enjoyed the company with all the usual gags about our wonderful summer weather.