Thursday 27 April 2017

Failford to Gadgirth 26 April

Alan, Allan, Davie Mc, Gus, Ian, Jim, Jimmy, Kenny R, Kenny T, Paul, Peter, Rex, Robert

The morning was bright and dry, and with no real rain for nearly a fortnight, the prospect of dry underfoot conditions made for a pleasant change. We weren’t to be disappointed!
Setting off from Failford we, as a group, followed the River Ayr Walk up through the gorge until the access to Peden’s Pulpit. Jimmy, Kenny R and Gus decided to take a look, but the rest of us, having seen it before, continued up the path. There were plenty of bluebells on display, and as some paused to take pictures or just to take stock, the group got scattered well before the steps to the lower riverside path were reached. Peter and Allan stayed high whilst the rest went low and the twosome took their time awaiting the arrival of Peden’s Posse.
Nearly there!
They met up at the second flight of steps adjacent to the bench, waited whilst breaths were caught after the climb, and then set off at a leisurely pace down towards the diversion at Daldorch. From here they could just see the rest of the guys 500m in front of them as they headed left from the we windmill. We all met up at the road-end at Yett, took coffee and made our way down towards Stair but turning right on the road to Enterkine House. Passing the mill, we made our way up through the grounds before turning left down to Gadgirth Bridge where we took lunch at our usual spot. The temperature was warm at this stage and, being out of any wind, lunch was very pleasurable. Apres lunch entertainment was provided by the weans as they threw skiffers across the water and before long a competitive edge took hold. Ian exhibited great technique and Peter was nonchalantly good. Peter has challenged us all to a slate skiffing event in the future!
Another view of the idyllic lunch spot
From here we followed the riverside path under Enterkine Viaduct back to Stair, where we paused momentarily, before continuing on up the riverside path to where the landslips had occurred. Because of the recent dry conditions, these were traversed without any great alarm, although care still had to be taken. Good progress was made as we now retraced our steps back to Failford, keeping high to ease the wearying limbs. By the time we reached the cars, the temperature had dipped again, but we couldn’t complain as we had had a good walk in excellent conditions. Eleven and a half miles in four hours fifty minutes – not that anybody was counting!

FRT was taken in the Black Bull in Mauchline, a very agreeable hostelry.

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