Trying to revive memories

With the knee still restricting activities we hadn't planned anything for this weekend. The weather was supposed to be rain slowing to showers but we were pleasantly surprised when we got lovely sunshine. The urge to get out and about was itching away at me so I persuaded Steve that a drive in a southerly direction would keep us amused for a wee while. I had a hankering to go see a place that I hadn't been to since I was a wee girl.

Being from Lanarkshire we don't have anything in the way of beaches so summer holidays always meant day trips to the Ayrshire coast. My memories of these days out are somewhat hazy though I do have one vivid recollection of the seagull that stole my fish from my lap as I ate it on Ayr front!!! Girvan was the destination, somewhere I remember being taken but not a lot else. So off we set taking the scenic route.

View of Arran from above Dunure

Dunure Castle

Naval manoeuvres in Firth of Clyde

The first thing that strikes you as you stand on Girvan seafront is the huge lump of Ailsa Craig. I've never been over though Steve has. He'd told me it's an entertaining crossing but worth it. As we wandered along the front we were entertained by a huge flock of starlings having a feeding frenzy on the beach, not something you see every day. It was quite bracing along the harbour wall. The weather had started to revert to the forecast that we were expecting so we didn't spend a huge amount of time in Girvan. The sad thing was that it didn't bring back any memories at all. It made me wonder how in this modern age places like Girvan actually survive as even in this very short visit we hadn't seen much to keep us in the place, not even nostalgia.

Starlings having a feeding frenzy on the beach

Comments

Creag Meagaidh MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

Creag Meagaidh has been on the to do list for so long. The past couple of years have seen us have to abort at least three attempts at the last minute because conditions weren't for us. So were we going to get it done this time................. YES The weather bods said mostly dry with a risk of potential showers later in the day. It was warm so even if it did rain it would be warm. Off we set having smothered ourselves in factor 50 and Smidge. Warm they said.......... baking I said!!!! We had decided our ascent would be via Coire Ardair and The Window to ease us into the walk on a good path. It felt more like a slow roasting. It is a gorgeous walk out to Coire Ardair on a very good path but as soon as we were out of the forest the heat and humidity kicked in. When we reached Lochan Coire Ardair there was only one thing on my mind, getting my boots off and getting in. It was at this point I began having major doubts as to whether we woul...

Mullach Clach a'Bhlair

Our ascent of Geal Charn Mhor had given us food for thought on what was to be our next hill target. We'd had notions on either Braeraich or Beinn Mheadhoin but the lack of winter equipment and uncertainty on the true extent of the snow cover put those ideas on hold for the time being. So maps were scoured and the Glen Feshie hills were winning out. Steve had already done both Munros, Rob and I had done one (though not the same one) and Kate hadn't done any of them. A cunning plan was hatched that meant we could all start at the same point but we would split into two groups. Rob and Kate would head for Sgor Gaoith while Steve and I would go for Mullach Clach a'Bhlair. The Glen Feshie Estate have done an amazing amount of path work which makes the ascent up Coire Fhearnagan to the beallach an absolute pleasure. We hit the snow line around 700m but thankfully it wasn't too steep. The traverse over to Mullach Cla...

Ben Lomond

Storm Hannah tried to wreck the planned Craggy walk to Ben Lomond. Thankfully, she had moved off quickish to allow the walk to be rescheduled to Sunday. For once wind was not going to be an issue, all the makings of a good hill day. So off we trotted. While there were only a few folk heading in the same direction as us, there seemed to be a constant stream coming down Ptarmigan. I suspect this is a result of the route description in Walk Highlands. My body was having issues at moving at anything more than snail pace, earning me the title of Pace Setter of the Day for keeping us at a steady 1.9km/hr. I have to thank the gang for being super patient on what was a longer than anticipated ascent of Ptarmigan. We had some Ptarmigan Ridge virgins in our midst, some requiring reassurance from Steve "trust me" Morley. Plus Quote of the Day 1 from Carol "so where's this ridge we're doing?" ( said at approx 700m on said ridge ) We eventua...

Blethering Blonde

Search This Blog