Monday 29 October 2012

Alan and Rex's final munro.

                                The support group assembled near the Aonach Mor lift station.
                                         Rex and Alan with Emma and the Speur Ghlan poster.
                                         Finally made it in spite of the baltic conditions.

Christmas Curry

Christmas lunch has been booked at the Ashoka at 1pm on Wednesday 19th December and deposit paid.

Thursday 25 October 2012

24 October: Ardrossan to Irvine


When Johnny comes out to play again
Hurrah! Hurrah!
We'll give him a hearty welcome then
Hurrah! Hurrah!
He’ll give us scones and rhubarb jam
(and sometimes you’ll even get a dram)
And we'll all feel gay when Johnny comes out to play

We’ll get the bus to Ardrossan town
Hurrah! Hurrah!
We’ll go upstairs, but Jimmy’ll stay down
Hurrah! Hurrah!
We’ll learn how to wire a double switch
Bet it won’t go without a hitch
And we'll all feel gay when Johnny comes out to play

We’ll watch those  bikes on the promenade
Hurrah! Hurrah!
A speeding one can whack you hard
Hurrah! Hurrah!
And we’ll see the locals walk their dugs
And maybe do a deal of drugs
And we'll all feel gay when Johnny comes out to play

We’ll meet Ronnie’s friends from the CTC
Hurrah! Hurrah!
Perhaps he’ll invite them back for tea
Hurrah! Hurrah!
We’ll stop for a break at 12 o’clock
And Malcolm will give us Edinburgh Rock
And we'll all feel gay when Johnny comes out to play


We’ll see the countryside at its best
Hurrah, hurrah!
Old fridges, freezers, and the rest
Hurrah, hurrah!
And we’ll see the school where Ian taught
And he’ll promise not to be distraught
And we'll all feel gay when Johnny comes out to play


Then we’ll all go back to 1-6-3
Hurrah! Hurrah!
Some’ll be dying for a pee
Hurrah! Hurrah!
And we’ll be such a happy group
Cos Johnny’ll give us bread and soup
And we'll all feel gay when Johnny comes out to play

Thursday 18 October 2012

Durisdeer 17 October

Alan, Allan, Davie Mc, Jimmy, Paul, Peter, Rex, Robert, Ronnie


At the Crown in Sanquhar there is a star
It’s the lady who works behind the bar
Took pity on some drookit souls
With two big plates of sausage rolls

The weather forecast had been poor with heavy rain expected and as we journeyed down to Durisdeer for the Morton Castle walk the rain got heavier and heavier. However, as we changed into our wet weather gear in the church, the decision was made to go at least as far as the bothy before reviewing the situation. The route has been described on previous blogs so suffice it to say that, given the conditions, we didn’t hang about (now there’s a surprise!) in making our way up the puddle-splattered track to the howff. As we dried out and, with Rex having started the fire in the stove, the steam rose and coffee/lunch was partaken amidst the haze. It is probably the earliest lunch stop we have ever had since we had started walking at about 10.15 and the trek had only taken about 40 minutes. Most were of the opinion that we end the walk there and return to the cars whilst one or two (who shall remain nameless to protect their guilt) were in favour of continuing the circular walk.
As we blethered and as Davie entered our details in the bothy log we were joined by two lads from Dumfries, Ryan and Nicholas, who, being self-employed window cleaners, had been washed out for the day and had come up to the hills for a walk. As Holly ‘greeted’ their big dug, a convivial conversation ensued and Ronnie took the opportunity to get his varifocals cleaned by experts. A miniature set of windscreen wipers will be fitted before the next wet walk.
When it was time to bid them farewell we assembled outside the bothy where by this time the rain had almost gone off. “Who’s for the circular walk to Morton Castle?” asked Jimmy. The silence was deafening.
And so we returned down the track to the cars and dry clothes, although it has to be said that the weather had improved markedly on the descent. But, as our leader suggested, more heavy rain could not be ruled out.
Our usual haunt in this neck of the woods is the Crown in Sanquhar and we hit our watering hole much earlier that we usually do. As always we find the atmosphere most welcoming and, as we supped up, the barmaid presented us with a large plate of lovely, hot sausage rolls. “There’s more on the way”, she said and before long a second one arrived. Brilliant!
Many thanks for the hospitality! We’ll be back.
Over the last year or two we’ve had stovies at the Mercat in Cumnock, shortbread at the Corner Bar in Lochwinnoch, our Ne’erday in the Black Bull in Darvel and scones at the Coachhouse in Muirkirk.
With a welcome like those it’s no wonder we continue to support the wee local pubs. And to think that after spending a fortune at a recently done-up hotel in Arran they wouldn’t even give us some nuts for the table! Say no more!



Monday 15 October 2012