Cunninghame ramblers. Irvine to Kilmarnock linear. January 2016

Stop to let everyone catch up.

Crossing a bridge/ice rink.

Excellent surfaces on the old railway line.

Todays group.

Yesterday Saturday January 17 Cunninghame ramblers met on a cold frosty morning to walk 7 miles to Kilmarnock on the old railway line before taking the bus back to Irvine.20 of us set off and it was nice to have 2 local visitors with us who may become members in the near future.The first part of our walk took us past the Hallmark Hotel which over the years has changed its name several times just to keep us all confused. Once on the railway line great care had to be taken as it was extremely icy in places making for one or two slips and slides but fortunately nothing too serious. Morning coffee was taken on a stretch of line known locally as coachmans brae near to Dreghorn in sight of our local retired school teachers place of employment.As we passed the villages of Springside and Knockentiber lots of history was discussed and little stories of a bygone year were swapped. On reaching Kilmarnock 3 of us left the group to get their bus to Irvine whilst we carried on into the town bypassing Wetherspoons to the main bus station to make our way home after a most enjoyable winters walk completed before the snow came on turning everywhere lovely and crispy white.

Kilmarnock OIR Darvel circular on the Lang Cairn walk. January 2016

Tea break in the rain.

 On Tueday January 12th Kilmarnock OIR met on a dreich wet morning to do the Lang Cairn walk to Loudoun Hill returning on the old railway line. The forecast as usual said it would be dry in the Darvel area with only a slight chance of a shower. Well how wrong could they be,the rain was constant for the first 3 hours of the 8 mile walk with a little bit of relief early afternoon.Undeterred off we went into the gloom and up the hills to the lang cairn before lunching at the Wallace monument at Loudoun Hill. The leader quite rightly suggested that we miss out the climb up to the top of the hill as it has an extremely steep descent and would be too dangerous today. In the afternoon we trudged along a very wet muddy disused railway line back top the start.I enjoyed the company of this hardy group of ramblers they just take weather and mud in their stride and get on with it. Lets hope for better conditions next week at Troon.

PS. Lack of photos due to the conditions.

Kilmarnock OIR. Barskimming estate by Mauchline. January 2016

Happy new year to everyone who reads the blog. This posting is rather unusual as there are no photographs as I was requested by the estate management that the family do not wish pictures of their estate on the internet and as a member of Kilmarnock OIR their wishes have to be respected.

On Tuesday January 5th 17 members met at Barskimming House to be greeted by a senior member of the staff accompanied by his wife ,2 children and 4 dogs to be shown around this beautiful estate. On a cloudy cool morning after all the introductions had been made we set off along one of the many tracks through woodlands and open meadows.Our guide was very helpful explaining the history and the ongoing maintenance that has to be carried out every year to keep the estate accessible for all the equestrian events held there annually.Our walk was about 7 miles and we never once left the boundary of the estate which stretches far and wide into the Ayrshire countryside. An excellent informative walk and a vote of thanks was given at the Fairburn Hotel where we all enjoyed a wee refreshment or a coffee.

New Year 2016

 

 

 

Happy New Year to all our blog readers in cyberspace.

From Anne and Gordon Phillips.

Christmas greeting 2015

A very merry Christmas to all our blog followers.

                             

From Anne and Gordon Phillips.

Kilmarnock OIR. Smugglers trail to Troon . December 2015

Used to be Troon resevoir

Some of the group managed to find a seat

Fullarton house

The horses were pleased to see us

Todays group

Yesterday Tuesday December 21 (winter equinox) Kilmarnock OIR (opportunities in retirement) met at Dundonald Castle for a walk along the smugglers trail to Troon and perhaps a wee bit further dependent on the weather .13 of set off on a blustery dry morning through the woods following a well laid out path until we came to Troon resevoir with some lovely views over to Arran.Next was a road walk through the village of Loans and into Fullarton woods which had some lovely Christmas decorations on the trees with an adventure trail for children to follow.Passing through Lochgreen golf course we arrived at the rugby pitches where we took a break for lunch and our leader discussed our options for the return leg to Dundonald. Well this is a very fit group and there was a unanimous decision to retrace our steps through the woods we had walked in the morning. Once back in Dundonald we found out we had walked almost 11 miles not bad for a group made up of mature ramblers,the pace you set was a very fast one ,hope I did not keep you back. Thanks for allowing me to join you all and hope to see you on another walk early in the New Year.

Cunninghame ramblers. Auchenleck to Dumfries House circular.December 2015

Some good paths are laid out for this walk.

The river and walkers can safely pass under the A71

Me thinks we took a wrong turning!!

Bridge up to the big hoose

Mr ans Mrs Office bearers.

The walled garden

In the centre is a Welsh dragon (well maybe)

Always got time for a wee shot on the swings.

One of many shelters in the estate

Unusual fountain has been added in 2014

Todays group

with our leader.

Yesterday Cunninghame ramblers met at Auchenleck for 7 mile walk to Dumfries House which was saved for the nation by a certain well heeled Royal prince. 11 of us left Tescos car park on a cloudy dry mild morning to make our way down to the Lugar water where a well laid out path took us along to Dumfries house estate. Lots of investment has been made on the grounds since my last visit making it an excellent place to visit to enjoy all the wonderful things that have been contructed to improve the facilities.After our lunch taken on the lawns of the big house we made our way back to Auchenleck  to end an excellent winters day out.