Ayr to Irvine by bicycle. Blog part one. June 2011

Today's preferred mode of transport.

Circus arrives in Ayr.

Anne's second home.

This must be the world's worst logo for an airport!!

Home for retired beer drinkers.



Anyone want to buy a crummy house?



Bruces Well in Prestwick.

The Carrick (see text)

I cheated and came home on the train.

Today I cycled to Irvine from Ayr using the local cycle routes . First stop was in Ayr to watch the circus arriving in town and erecting the big top. Today it is done with hydraulic motors in my day it was all the hands you could find and we hauled it up in return for a free ticket.On through Prestwick to the airport where I thought whoever decided that "Pure Dead Brilliant" was a suitable logo for an international airport must surely be lacking in the little grey cells that to most people passes as a brain.From here it was down through the Troon golf courses and into the town which today was quite quiet as it was raining a little bit and as I don't have mud guards on the bike my bottom was decidedly wet!Passing Hillhouse Quarry I spent 5 seconds remembering the days I used to work there.In Irvine I visited the maritime museum where they are renovating the Clipper Carrick which was built circa 1865 and started off life as the City of Adelaide and in 1923 was renamed. She used to be berthed in Glasgow in the eighties at  an area of the Broomielaw and was home to the Royal Naval Reserve.I remember attending a  lunch on her in aide of the Lighthouse Club which was a charity associated with the construction industry.The ship now lies in Irvine but I don't know if it will ever make the water again it is in a very poor state of repair.I now cycled along the new Irvine trail which follows the river and takes you to neighbouring Kilwinning however grey black clouds and the rumble of distant thunder I decided rather than retrace my route I headed for the train station and loaded the bike on and we were back in Ayr in a matter of minutes. An enjoyable day out if you forget about the showers and the spray from cars when I had to use the road.Will do it again on a sunny day and this time will cycle from Irvine to Kilmarnock a stretch I have never done.

Ayr to Irvine.Golf courses en route. Blog part 2. June 2011

Both courses are in Ayr.

Prestwick St Nicholas.

Old Prestwick

Troon Portland

Royal Troon.

Troon municipal. (Lochgreen ,Darley and Fullarton courses)

This is owned by Loch Lomond Golf Club.

This is owned by Glasgow Killermount Golf.

Situated near Irvine.

Kilmarnock Barassie Golf Course.

This one is in Irvine.

Better known as "Bogside"

Today I had to visit Troon to present the accounts for ADRC recent barbeque.For the benefit of all who attended we made a slight profit and this has now been lodged in the club's funds. Whilst cycling to Troon you go through all those golf courses featured above and one can't help feeling we really do live in the home of golf. I am about to do another blog with some interesting and perhaps amusing photos that one is able to catch when you are cycling along.

ADRC walk to Knockdolian Hill by Ballantrae plus barbeque June 2011

Who is the proud owner of those lovely legs?

On our way along the River Stinchar.

At the summit of Knockdolian.

Today's birthday boy.

Preparing the barbie.

Smoke gets in your eyes.

Walkers enjoying the fayre.

Sending smoke signals to the town of Ballantrae.

Too many cooks comes to mind.



Our Honourable Chairman with Madam Vice.



Happy ramblers at the end of a super day out.

Today is a short walk as we are having a barbeque on Ballantrae shore in the afternoon. I was privileged to be the walk leader and head chef all in one day. 21 walkers assembled at the shore car park and then made our way past Ardstinchar Castle on to the banks of the River Stinchar and up onto the road which took us to the start of the climb up Knockdolian Hill. At the summit I pointed out all the various places of interest which today included the Isle of Arran ,Mull of Kintyre, Ailsa Craig and in the other direction we could see the Galloway Hills including the Merrick.At this point I left the walkers in the capable hands of our Right Honourable Secretary (of the grapes fame) whilst I made my way down to get picked up in the  car by Anne and the Secs wife to be taken to Ballantrae to light the barbie and generally prepare the fayre for the walkers returning.The wind got up at this point which fanned the barbie and got it started fairly quickly. On went the burgers and chicken and the girls laid out the salads and drinks (non alchoholic of course) . Walkers arrived back and it was not long until they were all seated and munching into their lunch. The local constabulary passed in their van thinking we might be a bunch of youngsters having a bevvie on their patch. One look at the age profile and they were soon on their way to look for real law breakers.As the afternoon passed the sun came out and one of our group stripped down to her simmet which if you knew the said walker in question this is unheard of. In fact her husband was once heard saying she wears her underwear in the bath in case  she gets cold!!All the burgers and chicken were duly eaten and we started to make our way home to Ayr after a really good laugh aided by good food and banter. One walk that hopefully will be repeated next year and will become a regular event on our programme. My thanks must go to my kitchen staff today who helped prepare the salads etc and then cleared up the site at the end under my supervision of course.

Cronies outing to Dumfries and Galloway June 2011

Today's transport.

Some of the cronies ready for the "off"

Somebody had to work today!

First port of call "The Globe Inn" Dumfries.

Setting the standard for the day.

Now we arrive in Castle Douglas.

As usual we find we find the best hostelries.



Boy Wonder and Robin.



Next stop was Kirkudbright.

The cronies don't always go to the pub.

Newton Stewart for a meal and a swallie. 

Three craws sat upon a wa

The annual outing of the cronies this year was to Dumfries and Galloway area. This was chosen after a lot of debate with Dunoon coming a close second. Maybe their turn next year that will give the locals a year to prepare. 57 of us assembled at 8.00 AM for breakfast which consisted of rolls and coffee. There was a wee swallie for those who wished to partake at that unearthly hour. Bus arrived and once the carry out was loaded into the luggage compartments the carry on was loaded onto the bus plus the cronies.A jovial run through South Ayrshire saw us arrive in the town of Dumfries in South West Scotland. The Globe Inn was located and we were given an insight into the early part of Robert Burn's drinking life. There is a seat in the Globe reserved for Rabbie and woebetide anyone who dares to sit on it.Once suitably refreshed off we went along the Solway coast through New Abbey and Dalbeattie until we arrived in Castle Douglas. The sun had now made an appearance when we were all issued with a goodie bag for lunch consisting of a couple of meat rolls and biscuits. The sight  of all 57 cronies sitting on the park benches kept the tourists amused as they had nowhere to sit.Again a light refreshment was enjoyed before we were on our bus for the short run to Kirkudbright which today was bathed in glorious sunshine so we went for a wee walk around the harbour area before we adjourned for afternoon cocktails in the local swaree. Some cronies found the local turf accountants but am pleased to say he is still in business after the donations gratefully received from the members. Now it was getting difficult to round them all up before we set off for the bonnie town of Newton Stewart and their local indoor bowling centre. A lovely meal had been laid on for us and was very much appreciated by all the cronies. The last of the carry oot was loaded onto the bus and off we set along the twisty roads heading for home trying to balance your glass and pour a wee something out of a bottle into it. Lots of minor accidents occurred but by this time no one was caring. As we arrived in Ayr a black bag was passed round and all the empties were put in and we left the bus the way we found it. The driver thanked us all as he had had a wonderful day out listening to the songs and stories over his sound system . A wee collection was made on his behalf and off he went back to his garage a very happy man. Great day out helped by the weather and the lovely scenery we passed through. Thanks to all the organisers and we are all looking forward to next year already.

Family reunion May 2011

My Canadian sister and Scottish brother.(I am on the right!!)

Sister with my Ayrshire grandson.

He is the apple of my eye.

Today was a day for families to get together. Grandchildren take centre stage  in these situations so we got a few snapshots of the family because dear knows when we will be able to do this again.

Wigtown ramblers to Grey Hill Girvan with a twist. May 2011

Steep climb up Byne Hill(214M)

View of Girvan from the top.

Lunch stop with Ailsa Craig in the background.

I used to own one of these(Austin A35)

Windy summit of Grey Hill(297M)

Today I joined my "mother group"(masonic term) Stranraer and Wigtownshire ramblers outing to Grey Hill by Girvan. This was an old walk for me but with a new twist in that our walk leader had worked out a completely different route from the normal one. Meeting at Girvan South car park on a blustery morning 20 ramblers set off up towards the familiar caravan park and then up the steep sides of Byne Hill but not onto the summit we went round it until we came to the monument to Colonel Archibald CB Craufurd of Ardmillan Estate who was killed in India in the 18th century.Older readers may also remember Ardmillan Castle which was burnt down in 1986 and is now the site of yet another caravan park.From the monument we took a bearing on Fell Hill and Ardwell Farm heading out towards Kilranny aerials which is also where the old road to Stranraer from Girvan passed through. Lunch was taken here with the wonderful views over a fairly choppy Firth of Clyde to Ailsa Craig and beyond. This is a hardy group of walkers no sooner had we finished lunch the walk leader got us all together and pointed out the trig point on top of Grey Hill(297M) which was our next goal we were to head straight up. No rest stops were taken on our way to the summit. It was blowing a hooly on the top and we soon made our way over the ridge to Fell Hill where a break was taken in behind some rocks to get some shelter from the winds.On our way back to Byne Hill we were being watched by a farmer on his quad bike with the usual sheepdog sitting on the pillion seat. Once we arrived back at ByneHill it is an easy descent down to the main A77 and along the shore back to the car park. Great walk and well recced by our leader it was a way around these hills I had never done before which gave the walk  a welcome twist as an alternative to the well trodden routes we are all familiar with. Thanks to all involved and hope to meet up with you all again in the near future.

Day Three Isle of Arran May 2011

Brodick Castle.

Again day three and the weather is still stopping me from doing the high level walks that I had planned. Today was to be Goatfell from Corrie a walk I have done three times before but as I am walk leader in August for ADRC I thought I would take the opportunity to recce it once more. Low cloud killed off this idea so back to the low level stuff once again.Into the grounds of Brodick Castle and discovered the amount of damage they suffered in the high winds of Monday. It is incredible to think we are in the month of May and experiencing winds more associated with December or January. A very pleasant walk through the estate and then down on to the shore back to the ferry terminal where I met up with the rest of the family. We then used our bus passes to go to Blackwaterfoot over the string road which gave us some spectacular views down the mountains back to the Clyde. Once we arrived at Blackwaterfoot we walked out to Shiskane Golf Clubhouse which has just been opened this year. Lovely new building with all modern facilities overlooking the Mull of Kintyre. Back onto the bus and return to Brodick by way of the North Island through Lochranza and Sannox. The ferry crossing was a liitle bit rough back to Ardrossan but it all adds to the fun. A great three days with the family hopefully to be repeated but maybe the next time we will go to sunnier climates.