New Year Ramble Irvine bay & Shewalton Woods

It was once again a cracking morning. After yesterday's grey dreich gloomy day optimism once more as blue skies dominate bringing a welcome brightness. 

Just beautiful

The local view across to the snow capped hills of Arran, quite magnificent. So disappointed that I cannot get across to walk them but hopefully sooner rather than later.

Frozen course

A local walk today, completed many times but still enjoyable. I took a circular route walking over Western Gailes golf course before joining the coastal path route behind the dunes. The course was frozen and not unsurprisingly no golfers around, maybe later in the day.

Definitely don't hit your ball in there, that's a gonner

Too many tourist walkers on the beach itself so happy to ramble along behind the scenes. A short hike up to the dragon then over to Irvine Harbour.

Irvine harbour and the Big Idea building in front of Arran

There is still talk of regeneration and reopening the bridge to the Big Idea building. Been a lot of talk over the years but little action, time will tell.

MV Garnock

It is difficult to conceive that on days way back this was the 3rd most important harbour in Scotland. The harbour tug MV Garnock has still not been moved out of the water. I believe there is a funding drive to get the cash to repair it.

Do you know what they all mean?

Into Irvine itself, always stop and smile at the Scots patter under the railway bridge. Surprised to find M&S was open, so bought some fruit to keep me going on my walk as well as my dinner tonight, no slaving over a hot stove.

Finally over the bypass to circle Shewalton pit before walking through Shewalton woods and home.

Iced Shewalton pit

The pit was iced over for about 2/3rds of its area. There was a single swan which looked stuck but probably wasn't. There was another pair trying to break the ice to get to the individual. It was bloody hard work. They could only break about a metre or so each time before resting. A long day(s) ahead!

One of the Shires

My route took me past the Shire horses and I was glad to see they were back to three. One had been ill earlier in the year and not been around so glad to see it has recovered.

Not quite the line to nowhere but it is a dead end

The local woodyard operations were shut down today so no trains on the track.

A fine walk in no hurry with plenty to admire.

Bigger stuff tomorrow.

Distance: 15.4km

Time: 3.45

Wildlife: Wren; Robin; Blackbird; Carrion Crow; Flock thrush; Jackdaw; Mute Swan; Eider; Goldeneye; most gulls. 

A Covid sea front walk Ayr - Barassie

I needed a change from starting walks from my doorstep so the good lady gave me a lift into Ayr and I started this walk from Wellington Square. Essentially following the Ayrshire Coastal Path route.
The forecast was for warmth but at this early stage a cool breeze meant top kept on.

I have walked around here many times but was surprised and delighted when I glanced behind the courthouse to see another war memorial which I didn't know existed. Dedicated to the Royal Scots Fusiliers, happy to add this to my blog.

I headed along the shore front, initially following the Lang Scots mile signs, which proves we were hardier than our southern counterparts.

Down at the docks this ruined boat is going nowhere soon but it does make a decent snap.

Heading into town this Black Guillemot was not the least bothered when I looked over a fence to get a closer look.

Most of the mute swans were in this sleeping pose but I am sure the eye was open watching me.

I had a nice surprise meeting Lorna on the bridge, so after a social distancing chat I headed down to the Newton area. Sadly this is the most depressing run down section of the walk but soon I have passed it by including the new travelling site. Four portable toilets situated for 6 caravans. Don't they have loos in their vans? Special treatment all right.

The place was very quiet but it twigged as In crossed the golf course that people were in their homes listening to Wee Nic and our future. Well this course will not be empty soon. Needed some food so headed into town to the excellent Electric bakery for a non healthy sausage roll and apple tart. Well, i am walking off the calories and I have a pear in my rucksack!

A nice walk across Prestwick golf course hoping to get a new butterfly but nothing spotted. Passing the caravan park a stoat ran out of the foliage onto open ground but by the time I got camera out it was back in the long stuff. It has been a long time since I spotted a stoat and certainly not here. Still Troon golf course reached, time for an apple tart picnic enjoying the view over to Arran.

Tranquility disturbed as this military transporter roared overhead heading over Arran, USA bound?

Although the skies were blue it was not the scorching heatwave predicted. The police at Troon do not have any problems clearing the beach today.

Almost home and the last stage of the walk. To be fair I was getting a bit tired, not enough water I suspect. The tide was out at North shore beach, a nice NW view to lead me home.
This felt like a new normal day in these sad times. Glad I did it and now I think time for a beer in the garden, cheers to more walks like this.

Irvine bay a lot happening in the bird world but not people

Today I took my walk from Barassie to M & S in Irvine to do my shopping. Nothing remarkable about that as it is a regular route to get some exercise during Covid19 isolation but what was surprising was how many species of birds were around. S,o I decided that I would list them on my blog. Since they closed the Irvine beach carpark it is like being the last person alive, seriously deserted of people.

• Cormorant
• Shag
• Great Northern Diver ( highlight of the day)
• Herring Gull
• Ringed Plover flock of 15+
• Kestrel
• Pipits 10+, probably Meadow ones nipped over from the golf course
• Curlew
• Mute Swan
• Lesser Black Backed Gull
• Pied Wagtails, an ever present but many more than normal, migratories?
• Red-breasted Merganzer 10+
• Gannet
• Canada Geese
• Carrion Crow
• Jackdaw
• Eider ducks
• Skylark
• House Martin, first of the year
• Linnet small flock 10+
• Redshank
• Oystercatcher
• Common Tern, pair, first of the year

Distance: 13.94km

Time: 3.14