Kilmarnock to Galston via Loudoun Kirk 18 June

Allan, Davie C, Davie Mc, Gus, Malcolm

On the path through Armsheugh Woods

This was forecast to be the hottest day of the year so far, but as we assembled at Davie C’s house in Kilmarnock, the sky was overcast, although there was definitely heat in the air. Davie had done well laying on coffee, bacon rolls, sliced sausage rolls, and scones (full-sized). Entertainment was also very apt with the DVD player showing the 1967 England v Scotland game, so it was 10.20 before we hit the road. Thanks, Davie! The only question was whether we would walk from the house or take the cars up to the Bowling Club at Crookedholm and start from there. The former was agreed and off we went in the direction of the entrance to Dean Park.

Even holly was wabbit

We continued past Dean Park, over the river at the ford and turned off the road to the left on a path which took us up through the plantation before emerging on the nether reaches of New Farm Loch, crossing the A77, and heading in the direction of Moscow. The route then took us down the Armsheugh Path before joining onto the Grougar Path. There had been a marked difference so far between walking in the shade of the trees and on the open tarmac where you could feel the heat coming up through the soles of your boots. At least there was a wee breeze which kept the midges away and by about 12.50 we reached Loudoun Kirk for lunch.

Loudoun Kirk for lunch

By the time we passed up through Galston and on to the Sir Chris Hoy Cycleway the sun was beating down on us. What is it they say about Mad Dogs and Scottishmen? Steady progress was made until our usual resting point on the bridge just before Hurlford where it was agreed that we would take the shortest route back to the cars from here. So we turned off the cycle path and headed on the path towards the A71 at the Galston end of Hurlford. The main road was followed into Hurlford and then on to Crookedholm where the earlier decision not to leave the cars there was regretted, as the ETA was estimated at another hour and a quarter. We turned right on to Grougar Road and continued on to the footbridge over the A77 before negotiating the back courts of New Farm and skirting James Hamilton and St Joseph’s en route back to Davie’s where six wabbit persons – I include Holly, of course – were happy to see the cars.

Four hours and forty minutes in the heat meant that we were ready for FRT which was taken at Wetherspoon’s, where we all savoured that ’Ice Cold in Alex’ moment.

P.S Apologies for mentioning the schools.