Cunninghame and Wigtown ramblers day in Newton Stewart. April 2016

For this group only EXECUTIVE would do!

Leaders briefing at Creetown

He was pleased to see us

Older readers will remember the flowerpot man.

Looking out at

the various bird feeders

One way to relax.

Going round the side of the loch.

Bruntis Loch

Walk leaders

At Kiroughtree visitors centre.

On Saturday April 2 the deerstalker organised a bus trip with Cunninghame ramblers to join up with Wigtown ramblers at Newton Stewart. 3 walks had been organised by her pulling in members from both groups to do reccies etc. The A walk up Cairnsmore of Fleet had to be cancelled on the advice of the mountain rescue team who assured us the weather would close in on the afternoon and it could become dangerous for a large group. 15 walkers went on a C walk round Newton Stewart ably led by my old pal the Newton Stewart blogger.The rest of us numbering 36 went onto the bus to take us to Creetown for a 10 mile low level walk through Kiroughtree visitors centre forest and visitors centre. Leaving Creetown we passed a couple who were sitting in their hot tub out in the garden oblivious to the fact that a large group of ramblers were passing their driveway.A lovely forest walk took us to the visitors centre for our lunch stop before a more strenuous section back to Newton.The two groups met up again in the Bruce Hotel for a meal and a we refreshment to round off an excellent day in South West Scotland. The weather did deteriorate in the afternoon so the advice given earlier by the mountain team was correct.A big thanks to the deerstalker for all her efforts in organinsing and co-ordinating our day out ,it was a lot of hard work keeping us all informed of the arrangements (and also keeping me in check!!)) Big thanks also to the walk leaders, without you these day would not be possible.

Cunninghame ramblers. Kilpatrick Hills north of Glasgow. March 2016

We met at Old Kilpatrick

We followed this new path (not to be confused with the Ayrshire Coastal Path)

One way of getting rid of that confounded "DREEP"

Cochno burn

Great views of Glasgow as we climb.

Lunch at Greenside resevoir

Explanation of a trig point by the Rt Hon Sec.

Made it to the first cairn

Group photo

and again

Mr and Mrs walk leaders.

Yesterday on a cloudy mild morning Cunninghame ramblers ventured over the Erskine Bridge to Old Kilpatrick for a 10 mile walk in the Kilpatrick hills climbing up the The Slacks which towers 365M above the Clyde. 20 of set off on a newly constructed Clyde Coastal Path through Duntocher and Hardgate before reaching Clochno estate where we then started to climb up through some fields until we reached the moorland with some of the reservoirs used to supply parts of Glasgow. Once we conquered Clochno hill we descended to Greenside reservior for our lunch stop before a short sharp climb to the summit of The Slacks with views down past Dumbarton and Greenock. A steep descent took us down onto a road which led us back to the start to end another great day out with the group who kept up an excellent pace considering the first real semi strenuous walk we had done for a while. Thanks to Mr and Mrs leaders whose knowledge of this area kept us fully informed of the surrounding areas.

Time to move on.March 2016

SOLD

Our house of 29 years has been sold and effectively Anne and I will be homeless  by the end of May or alternatively we find a wee but and ben to rest our old weary legs in. Heres hoping something turns up soon and I can get back to full time walking in the hills with all the groups that I ramble with. See you all soon.

Carrick Hills by Ayr. March 2016

Just below the masts on the Carrick Hills.

First of all my apologies for the lack of blogs recently this has been down to selling our house,cruising in the Middle East and the dreadful weather of late.Yesterday the deerstalker and I did our usual Carrick Hills 8 mile walk to Dunure on a super sunny day with spectacular views. During the walk I also managed to negotiate the sale of my house. More to follow.

Cruise in the Middle East visiting Oman and Dubai. February 2016

Anne at the Grand Mosque,Abu Dhabi

Grand mosque

Prayer area

One of many chandaliers

Palm hotel

Burj Khalifa Dubai

Burj Khalifa

Burj Khalifa

Anne was in her element here

Abu Dhabi beach

Enjoying a nice dinner

I was a founder member of this club back in 1985

How it has changed

Sultan Qaboos's little yacht

Snow slides in Dubai

Muscat

This plane made it all possible

Tut tut nae Gordons gin on the flight

Text to follow later.

Burns Supper at BBC Scotland ,Glasgow. January 25th. 2016

Looking towards the top table.

Last night Anne and I were very privileged to be invited to the HQ of BBC Scotland Scotland for a traditional Burns supper which was being broadcasted live on radio Scotland.4500 people applied for tickets and only 50 lucky people were successsful.It was chaired by Bryan Burnett along with Jamie MacDougall (singing) Brian Taylor (BBC political editor) who did the Immortal memory, Jonathon Watson recited the most wonderful Tam O'Shanter, Des Clarke did a toast to the lassies and Martha McBrier replied. Once we were all seated the broadcast began whilst we were served a full traditional meal with loads of wine and a wee dram to toast the haggis. It was a very well presented evening with lots of laughter particularly at the tables as I think there ballot for tickets was done by selecting a particular age group mainly 50 to 70 year olds . Excellent evening and the icing on the cake was the TV license fee paid for it.

PS . Some regular followers of the blog may be wondering why there are no reports of walks recently,this is due to the mainly to our recent weather if it is not raining it is blowing a gale and even today the Deerstalker had a walk arranged for the Kilmarnock area which she rightly cancelled as there are storm warning being issued for the area. Hopefully it will improve once we move into February.

Kilmarnock OIR. Troon/Prestwick circular. January 2016

Troon shore after Storm Frank

Morning coffee sitting on old tree stumps.

We walked under the flightpath at Prestwick.

Todays group.

Yesterday Tuesday January 19th Kilmarnock OIR met at the ballast bank in Troon on a reasonably mild dry morning to do a 7 mile walk towards Prestwick and return on the shore.Unfortunately our leader for the day was unable to attend so 2 or 3 of us who have walked this area many times before worked out a route suitable for the walkers and off we went at a fair old pace as this is the group that does not hang about.Troon shore is starting to recover from tons of driftwood that was thrown up during Storm Frank but thanks to the sterling ongoing work being carried out by the local authority it will not be long before it is ready to receive an influx of visitors in a couple of months time.Walking up past millionaires row we went round the edge of Fullarton woods before joining the cycle track at Royal Troon golf course which is the home this year of the world famous "Open". Arriving at the caravan site beside the airport we took the path down onto the shore to have our lunch stop admiring the winter colours of the sky reflecting on a very calm sea. The last part of our day was a very pleasant shore trek back to the start to end another excellent winters day out with this very fit group.