Cunninghame Ramblers . Smugglers trail,Troon to Dundonald.March 2014

Todays small group

with our leader.

Yesterday Saturday March 15th Cunninghame Ramblers scheduled walk to Enoch Hill near New Cumnock was cancelled due to high winds and mist in the area,however our leader had an alternative outing commencing at Troon Cemetery..8 of us left the cars at the start to walk towards the shore on a drizzly cloudy morning with a forecast that said things will improve as the day goes on. The first part of the day was similar to our mid week walk until we were clear of Fullarton Woods we picked up the Smugglers trail through the village of Loans and onto the track that takes you up behind Hillhouse Quarry where a certain blog author used to be gainfully employed. Once we arrived at Dundonald Castle visitor centre we had a stop for lunch before retracing our steps back to Troon.The pace today was exceptionally fast covering the 10 miles in under 4 hours,regular ramblers will know to do that distance in that time we did not HING ABOOT!!Weather did improve slightly but was not suitable for photography hence the lack of photos on the blog. Thanks to our leader who incidentally will be celebrating a birthday in the next couple of weeks when she will become a bus pass holder, you led a an excellent walk on a dreary morning.

ADRC Troon circular with a visit to the beer festival. October 2013

We are travelling by train today.

Meeting up at Troon shore car park.

Leader's briefing before we walk on the hallowed turf of "Royal Troon Golf Course"

We met Dillon a Clydesdale out for a trot.

Morning coffee stop at Fullarton House

Autumn colours are on their way.

It has been a good year for crab apples

Hoi wait for me down there.

We called on this member who offered some weak excuses why he was not out with us today.

Making our way back along the shore.

Today's large group.

Our leader.

Now for the serious business of the day!!

Cheers

and again.

Troon pipe band entertained the drinkers.

On a lovely mild partly cloudy morning 26 walkers from ADRC met at the car park on Troon shore for an 8 mile circular walk finishing up at the local real ale beer festival. Setting off along the shore we then crossed Royal Troon Golf Course to take us to the grounds of Fullarton House where we had our first stop for morning coffee. Picking up the smugglers trail we then made our way to the village of Loans passing through some lovely wooded areas on the way which were now taking on their autumn colours.Arriving back on the shore we found a sheltered area for our lunch stop before making the final 2 mile journey back to the start where most of us were then going to spend the rest of the afternoon in the local annual beer festival.. There were over 150 beers to choose from brewed in all different parts of the UK, some very strong including a range of ciders that were particularly high in alcohol content (hic hic).Super day with a lot of fun in the afternoon ,thanks to the leader for organising the walk great idea which has to be repeated next year, one walker was heard to say if the weather was inclement we could always cancel the walk and just go for the beer!!

ADRC Prestwick to Troon circular. June 2013

The "hardy group".

Yesterday Saturday June 15th 6 of us set off from Prestwick shore on a drizzly wet windy morning to walk to Troon on the shore and as I was the walk leader I had no option but to go.Once we were under way the rain abaited with the wind  blowing on our backs ,waterproofs soon dried out to make the going so much more pleasant, when out of the sky on it's approach to Prestwick Airport we had a wonderful view of The new Dreamliner practicing circuits and bumps.Once in Troon we walked along the top of the ballast bank and returned by the yachting marina with all it's large boats.The group decided as it was still dry to make our way back to the start and have our lunch at the finish . Passing through Royal Troon Golf Course there were not many golfers out due to the strong winds blowing in off the Clyde. Once we were on the Ayrshire Cycle Path the rain was approaching and to be honest for the last two miles it poured down resulting in us all getting a wee bit drookit . Lunch stop was cancelled as we all decided to make our way home straight away to get changed into some dry clothes.It was good to get out and do a 9 mile walk in conditions which were not ideal,thanks to my fellow walkers for joining me and lets hope for better weather for the club's barbeque on Saturday June 29th at Ballantrae,please contact either myself or Madam Vice for tickets and arrangements.