Cunninghame ramblers. Neilston Pad and surrounding lochs. July 2016

Snypes Dam with Glasgow in the background

Some steep paths were negotiated

I thought it was an orchid but I have my doubts.(lovely colours with the bee feeding on the pollen)

Craighall Dam

Some parts were on nice open moorland

Climbing James Hill

We called this the sleuce gates restaurant

Todays happy group

Walk leader complete with jelly babies!!

Yesterday Tuesday July 12 Cunninghame ramblers went to East Renfrewshire for a 7 mile walk on the Neilston Pad and surrounding lochs and dams. Parking near to Harelaw Dam on a mild cloudy morning 14 walkers made their way up onto a volcanic plug known as the Neilston Pad with its wonderful views over the city of Glasgow.From here we had a steep descent to Craighall Dam which forms a series of lochs and dams to be used as resevoirs for the surrounding areas of Neilston ,Barrhead and Paisley.This walk was described as a figure of eight so we crossed over at our starting point where we picked up our rucksacks to continue over the moors to Harelaw Dam complete with fishermen trying to catch their dinner. Unfortunately we did not have the groups  twitcher with us this morning but I think there was a small flock of greylag geese on the loch. A steady climb took the group to the summit of James Hill in the middle of Harelaw wind farm before a rather tricky steep descent to the sleuce gates that were used as a lunch stop. The last 2 miles were mostly on windfarm roads before reaching the car park to end another great day out with a leader who is not normally given to dry weather walks managed exceptionally well despite taking the group through some rather treacherous undergrowth with the odd wet muddy patches not visible due to the walkers .Well done sir.

Cunninghame ramblers. Black Craig by Kirkconnel. June 2016

Meeting at the start

Tricky wee stile had to be crossed

Nobody loves me he was heard to say

A trio of beauties

Todays group

Our leader

We stopped for a break here.

On Tuesday June14th cunninghame ramblers travelled to Kirkconnel for a 13 mile walk up Blackcraig (700M) . On  a partly sunny morning 11 of us made away along some good forestry access roads before starting the ascent  up the hill. This was done at various stages to give us older members a wee break to catch our breath on the steep terrain. Lunch on the summit was a guessing game to name all the hills round about us ranging from East Lowther in the southern uplands to the hills in south ayrshire.A steep descent got us all safely back down to the forestry road and retrn to the cars. A fairly stiff 13 miles was enjoyed by all and apart from about 10 minutes of light drizzle it was a dry day. Thanks to the leader who was completing the walk for a second time in 2 days having taken ARDC group up on Sunday.

Wigtonshire ramblers. Maybole circular. June 2016

Todays group

Todays leader.(used this photo as I did not take one yesterday)

Yesterday a small group from Wigton ramblers travelled to Maybole to do the regular 7 mile circular walk. 9 of us left the local swimming baths on a cloudy warm morning with the promise that rain was in todays forecast. A rather pleasant road took us away from the town up onto the local moorland where there  were some excellent sightings of the local wildlife including buzzards ,yellowhammers,mistle thrush and various meadow pipets to name a few.The leader had described the walk as murder,howling dogs and venomous snakes. Well we past murder hole and the local kennels but unfortunately the snakes did not make an appearance.The walk finished back in the town where several of the group enjoyed tea and scones in one of the local tearooms.Apart from one heavy shower of rain at lunchtime we had a dry day for our outing. Thanks to the teacher who as leader  added his own wee touches to the walk with his usual anecdotes etc etc.

Cunninghame ramblers. Barony hill by Dailly circular. May 2016

I got a lift to the start from this lovely couple.

Lindsayston woods have been felled.

One of many stiles today.

A wee break before our final ascent onto Barony.

Bluebells were in full bloom

Todays fine group on the summit

The teacher was our leader and raconteur.

Worth another look.

Today Tuesday May 17 Cunninghame ramblers traveled to South Ayrshire village of Dailly for a 10 mile circular walk up Barony Hill. A bakers dozen gathered at the start and after a short briefing we made our way through Lindsayton woods which have been felled recently and has lost a wee bit of its character . A nice pleasant walk in the cloudy but sometimes sunny morning we slowly made our way up Barony hill reaching the summit as the wind started to blow. Lunch at some old limekilns was enjoyed by all before a walk through some woods that were completely covered in glorious bluebells. Crossing the road the track follows the river Girvan back to the village to end a very pleasant dry walk both overhead and underfoot.

Transatlantic cruise onboard NCL Spirit. April/May 2016

Our swimming pool in Florida

We went on an airboat ride on the swamps

In the centre is a large aligator.

Everything in the USA is bigger.

We visited the Kennedy space centre

These are the engines of a spacecraft

Our home for the next two weeks

Plane landing at the famous St Martins island airport.Jumbo jet came in later.

Amazing ocean colours

Self explanatory

Waiting on take off

Leaving Philipsburg on a water taxi.

The size of these ships is enormous

Funchal (Maderia) is famous for its flowers

also it is a very hilly island

so we travelled by cable car

One of the many bars on the ship.

Even the captain entered into the fun and games

All good things must come to an end.

Bye bye  ship!!

In mid April Anne and I flew to London Gatwick to connect to a flight to Orlando in Florida. We spent 7 nights there visiting the theme parks and all the resorts tourist attractions. Onwards to Port Canaveral to board the "Norweigan Spirit" cruise ship for the next two weeks visiting the American Virgin Islands before crossing the Atlantic Ocean to Maderia and then onto Barcelona for a two night stay.It was a most enjoyable holiday helped by fully inclusive drinks package which had to be seen to be believed. EXCELLENT HOLIDAY.

Cunninghame ramblers. 3 hill circular at West Kilbride. April 2016

The first of many stiles

The cup and ring stones (cups are full of rainwater)

I am not sure what the deerstalker intends to use the walking pole for

At the cairn on Blackshaw hill.

Yesterday Wednesday April 6 on a cold cloudy morning 16 of Cunninghame ramblers finest braved the elements to do a short 7 mile walk round 3 of the local hills.Setting off from West Kilbride the first obstacle was a serious muddy track known as the coffin road. It was extremely mucky and slippy probably caused by large flocks of sheep being moved to lower pastures for the lambing season. As we cleared the muck the rain came on to add to our enjoyment as we trudged up to the summit of Blackshaw hill where on a clear day rather nice views of Arran can be enjoyed,we had to make do of an aerial view of West Kilbride through the mist.Undeterred the next stop was at the cup and ring stones which may date back to the bronze age.Still raining the group now climbed up to Knockewart hill radio station before dropping down past a wee lochan complete with two very noisy geese.Last climb was Lawhill before a walk through the local glen back to the start ,to dry off and enjoy a spot of lunch. The walk was ably led by past Madam chair assisted by the Rt Hon Sec.,they did a sterling job in what can only be described as difficult conditions.