Cunninghame Ramblers. Linear from Largs to West Kilbride. March 2015

Pencil monument at Largs.

Looking back towards Largs.

Big Cumbrae with Arran in the background.

Making our way up from Fairlie.

Small part of the walk was on road.

Time of year to see frogspawn

Field of Belted Galloways.

Lovely floral display greets you at West Kilbride

Group plus my shadow.

Our leader.

Yesterday March 21 Cunninghame ramblers met at West Kilbride railway station to catch the train to Largs to do a 9 mile walk back to the start. 17 of us set off along the shore front in Largs on a fine mild sunny morning with a very tranquil Firth of Clyde glistening in the sunlight, an absolutely perfect day for an outing. After 2 miles we reached the village of Fairlie where we had a wee break on the shore before climbing up past the castle out onto the moors. At this height the views were amazing over to Arran with a distant Ailsa Craig in the background, an ideal spot for our lunch break.Once reaching West Kilbride tea and scones were enjoyed in one of the many tearooms that the village has to offer. Many thanks to our leader who led the group for a second time this week both days in wonderful sunshine.

Cunninghame ramblers. Dunaskin/Auchenroy circular. March 2015

The original pithead pub

Ladders were provided at the deer fences.

Morning break

Going gets muddy

until we reach the serious stuff

He always wanted a photie in the blog!!!

Group on summit of Auchenroy.

 

Yesterday Wednesday March 18 Cunninghame Ramblers met at Dunaskin Heritage Centre by Patna for an 11 mile walk taking us to Auchenroy Hill.18 of us set off on a lovely mild spring morning over the River Doon along a track to take us to the Dalmellington -Straiton road. Skylarks and meadow pipits were singing high up in the sky heralding the first signs of spring. After a short break it was onwards and upwards untl we reached the trig point on the summit of Auchenroy.From here we then descended to the grounds of Craigengillan Estate where a lot of logging had been taking place making the access roads extremely muddy and very difficlt to negotiate. The walkers also passed the scene of the the famous accident that occured in November 2012 resulting in a broken leg for the author of this wee blog. Once on the hard roads again we passed through the edge of Dalmellington to pick up the old railway line that took the group back to the start. An excellent walk on a new route to most walkers with a big thanks to our leader for getting us through some pretty atrocious underfoot conditions.

Australia holiday. Feb/March 2015

Anne and I had a wonderful trip to Australia to attend my sister's wedding in Glenelg which is about 8 miles from the City of Adelaide.I am now going to put a series of memorable photos on the blog lots of them with no caption but just trying to give the reader a taste of our most amazing holiday.

Glenelg Tram

Sisters apartment.

it had the most amazing view of the marina

The wedding cermony

The wedding reception.

The oval,Adelaide

Adelaide City skyline

The "Carrick"  which was shipped from Irvine

Made us feel quite proud

View of the Gold Coast

Adelaide Races

Kilmarnock OIR. Carrick hills (yes again) February 2015

Alone on a hill

well almost

4th visit in 9 days for me !

On summit of Brown Carrick hill.

To complete my fourth visit to the summit of Brown Carrick I joined 16 members of Kilmarnock OIR ( opportunities in retirement) for a 7 mile circular route from Alloway Burns Centre. It was a cloudy calm morning as we climbed  past Newark Castle estate to take us up onto the moors before crossing over to the Brown Carrick. The summit today did not give us such wonderful clear views I had experienced over the last few days however our leader was still able to point out various places of interest. Lunch was taken on the hill before an interesting route back down towards Doonfoot with several fences and gates to be negotiated complete with barbed wire. The last part of todays walk took the group along an old disused railway line back to Alloway village. I have really enjoyed my visits to the local hills over the past week there was never a day that the walk was the same as previous ones as there are so many variations to this small range of hills.Thanks again to everyone I met today we had a another successful day out and I look forward to meeting you all again on another OIR outing in the near future.

Ayr and District Ramblers. Carrick Hills circular. February 2014.

How is that for a view on a crisp winters morning

Todays fine group

As usual the leader gets a wee look in.

Yesterday Saturday it was my pleasure to be nominated as walk leader for yes you have all guessed it a circular walk around the Carrick Hills. It is just the way the various programmes worked out for the different groups I walk with, that this one was to be repeated 4 times over 10 days. 3 down 1 to go !! Yesterday 27 of set off on a fine sunny morning along the shore past Greenan castle ,Craig Tara ,Bracken Bay and on to Dunure where we then went up through Fisherton to climb up to the summit of Brown Carrick hill. After lunch we walked past the aerials and down to the Heads of Ayr before picking up the shore path back to the start. Great day for a half marathon (13 miles) with a very fit group who arrived back at the cars 30 minutes ahead of the schedule I had provisionally worked out.This Tuesdays walk will be at a slower pace with the Kilmarnock OIR. (opportunities in retirement)
As usual I will put on a link to the Dukes Utube collage once I have received it.

Here is the Dukes link :  ADRC Carrick Hills, Dunure, Feb 7th 2015

Cunninghame ramblers. Mid week walk Carrick Hills circular.February 2015

Slippy climb right at the start.

An alpaca makes a change from cows.

Some of the gates were locked

Day of long shadows

May I have the next dance!!

Follow me I am your leader.

Walking up to the snow line.

Lunch at Dunure

Todays group on the summit of Brown Carrick Hill.

The deerstalker was our leader.

Another walk up the Carrick hills today with Cunninghame ramblers. 15 of us left the Greenan Castle car park to do what I call the full monty walk of 14 miles . The shore was extremely slippy with a couple of the group falling before we had even done a few hundred yards.Going over the top of the heads of Ayr the views in the early morning sunlight were truly spectacular with snow covering all the high peaks on Arran.Climbing up Brown Carrick fairly got us all going and even in the winter sun jackets were coming off as we were all feeling a little warm.Once back down on the shore lunch was taken looking out on a cold sea before the 5 mile trek back to the start involving a couple of very rocky stretches.A super day out on a glorious winters day with thanks to the deerstalker for keeping us all in order whilst leading us round this half marathon.

PS Thanks to the traffic commissioner for his contribution to the above photos.

Kilmarnock and Loudoun ramblers. Carrick Hills circular February 2015

Looking down on Ayr

Yesterday Sunday February1st 22 Kilmarnock and Loudoun ramblers met at a lay by just passed the Craig Tara holiday park to do an 8 mile circular walk over Brown Carrick hill to Fisherton to return via the shore. 22 of us set off on the most glorious sunny cold morning with all our winter jackets on to keep out the chilly wind.As this is the first of possibly 4 walks involving this hill that I may be involved in over the next 10 days I will leave the photos and further details to the Dukes U Tube video which I will post a link to once it has been published.Thanks to all who went out yesterday it was nice to catch up with some well kent faces.

Link to the Duke's excellent compilation:   Kilmarnock Ramblers Carrick Hills Dunure Feb 1st 2015