Hill: Grey Hill circuit

Type: Sub2k

It was my first outing for quite some time with the Ayr OIR. Different being used to a group walking environment albeit split into two teams to spread us out. Still it was enjoyable to reconnect with a lot of old walking buddies.

I was initially in two minds as this is not my favourite circuit, in part very muddy, but I was hoping the prolonged dry spell prior to the weekends deluge might have dried it out. 

As we headed out of Girvan Ailsa Craig was covered in a bonnet of cloud, a lovely start.

Thankfully there was a stile nearby

We walked up a farm track only to find it was the wrong one so back to the road and up the correct one. The farmer clearly did not want people around!

This magnificent tup was looking lonely separated from his girls, never mind he will be back in action soon. 

Butterbur

Interesting flora and fauna opening up. This butterbur alongside the stream will fully open up with a brush like head, a member of the daisy family. This is our only native Butterbur and only seen in the lowlands plus Western Isles and Orkney.

We were avoiding fields with livestock, just as well, the Belted Galloways were frisky running right to the wire fence as soon as they spotted us. I remember livestock issues from my last venture here but that was horses maybe later.

Byne Hill

We contoured Byne Hill before doing a sharp climb up the several false tops to the trig, that got the lungs going.

Grey Hill

We took a drop from the top line and flanked below Cairn Hill before having a moorland tramp heading for Grey Hill. Then we spotted group 2 coming up the slopes, their track route had allowed them faster walking. Not wanting to meet we sprinted across the tussocks to meet the outliers before heading up the ridge to Grey Hill, beat them, just!

Looking back to Byne Hill, our descent route

We were heading for Pinbain Hill, a first for most of us but now so did group 2 avoiding Grey Hill.

We had to follow them but thankfully they pulled off and we marched past waving and commenting to each other. That was their final top but on we went a meander up and down small rolling tops and barbed wire fences. Plenty of them today.

Small cairn on Pinbain Hill

When we reached Pinbain we had good views down to Lendalfoot and across to Ailsa Craig from its small stone cairn.

Lunch stop please

Wind blowing more than a breeze so back we went to find a sheltered spot for lunch. The sun was out, the sky and the sea were blue and it was just us, a fine lunch break.

Back at Grey Hill, Pinbain middle right

Back up the steep moor slopes to Grey Hill and then a skyline route back over Fell Hill, through the gloopy stuff with the horses staying away to the side.

Monument and Ailsa Craig

Avoiding Byne Hill we went back down the monument track, more horses and bigger but no issues.

Mum's not bothered as the foal runs round her

At the bottom we were mesmerised by the youngest donkey I have seen running round the field bucking its hind legs, the joys of freedom, you got to smile at that.

A great end to a good day out and walking fitness being built up for the big months ahead when real freedom arrives. And great banter with the group.

Ascent: 702m

Distance: 16.1km

Time: 5.04

Wildlife: Meadow Pipit: Skylark; Carrion Crow; Chaffinch: Pied Wagtail; Gannet: Snipe. 

A Kilwinning ramble via Eglinton Park

When I read about the award winning war memorial at Kilwinning I was surprised to find that there was another memorial in the grounds of Kilwinning Abbey so my long trek for this week was decided. Another 4-5 hours with a rucksack on, albeit a light one, good practice for the forthcoming hills.

Impressive ruins

My starting point was the ruined Abbey, circa 1100, which is in a similar state to a lot of the folk hanging around its pedestrianised main street. A new bit of trivia for me, I did not realise that there was a St Winning whom the town was named after.
I wandered the grounds and found no sign of the war memorial but there were some impressive old ruins and gravestones. Time to Google and got up a picture of it, lined it up with the background and walked around again. I was standing beside before I realised it. Sadly for the original war memorial it is in a poor state and needs refurbished. I wonder why two memorials, maybe a local political dust up, whatever it needs help.

Glasgow 32 miles not today

I wandered down the cycle path, I like the creative signs that have been put up around here.

As I headed homewards I had no fixed route in mind so seeing a sign I decided to do a circuit of Eglinton Park. We used to come here regularly as a family to walk and cycle but I realised it must be at least 5 years since I have been here.

War Memorial seat

The sun was out, top layer off and followed one of the grass tracks and found another war memorial, albeit just a bench around this tree but a nice surprise.
The park was exceptionally quiet for such a nice day.

Green veined white

The loch area used to be a popular fishing spot but no room to cast unless spinning, nobody fishing today as not allowed. But glad I did go down as spotted movement and snapped my 1st Red Admiral of the year for my Butterflies blog record. Also plenty of green veined and orange tips still flying.

Meadow

Nothing much has changed in the park. I had a pleasant spring country park walk enjoying the wide open spaces and the excellent views over North Ayrshire. 

No movement in the burn

Birds constantly singing and a Fly Catcher came out of some trees and disappeared back in before camera could snap. I waited in vain but no further sighting.

White Tournament Bridge

The iron Tournament bridge looks as if it has had a new coat of paint since my last visit. The cost of having a tournament was the downfall for the finances of the owners. Of course, being Scotland, the heavens opened on the day.
The local coos had calved, the mothers giving me the evil eye daring me to cross their field, nope not today. 

Eglinton Tower

This solitary Castle tower is the only substantial piece of the existing castle still standing, now only for the wild birds that want to frequent it. Old rumours were that a secret escape tunnel ran between Kilwinning Abbey and the castle though this has never been confirmed.

At the cafe this was not the only thing disappointed that the facilities were fully closed for Covid. Saw a few grey squirrels, rare to walk here and not see one.

Things were getting raucous above me and when I looked up the buzzard was being mobbed by a pair of crows, possibly a youngster nearby. 
Headed back via the beach and Western Gailes where I got another addition for my blog, a new moth to me.
A good walk and one I will repeat but hopefully just as a winter wander, bigger things to walk up coming my way.

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.

Shewalton Woods

Sadly the Covid19 restrictions have meant that cycling gets me much further than my preferred walking so I have prioritised it, 400 miles this month, not bad. So for walking, the question goes how far can you reasonably walk from home to get at nature? I realistically have 4 options.

1. Head north towards Irvine via the beach or Western Gailes golf course.
2. Head south towards Prestwick via the beach and Royal Troon golf course.
3. Head slightly SE to the Smugglers path to Dundonald.
4. Head slightly NE to Shewalton woods, can be extended via River Irvine walkway.

Tourist noticeboards

Today was the Shewalton woods trail. I know this wood well but do not come as often as I should. This is my walking snobbery. I have been spoilt with so many fantastic locations across Scotland when walking. To me this wood always seemed unclean and dirty, not naturally wild. Probably because it is hemmed in by industry. 

Side path dry today but can be extremely muddy

If you think of it as a triangle on one side this is due to the large paper-mill with at times huge plumes of steam/smoke belching out of its chimneys, so much you think it must be about to explode. A railway line with rusting wagons and a timber yard operation. 

It's been a long time since they changed a trains line

On the next flank the water treatment works and the GKN chemical factory with its invasive wind turbines.

A blue sky invader

Finally the last flank is the huge Hillhouse quarry whose mining operations covers the woods in dust and whatever.

Birches starting to green up

But I am so wrong, the woods are wild and natural, a wildlife oasis and long may it remain. Spring is here and the trees are full of blossom as they move away from the dark winter garb. 

Male Orange Tip

Early butterflies are out seeking their partners, flying fast, criss-crossing their patch, very territorial, brilliant to watch.

Chaffinch

Resident birds are being taken over by the incoming migrants. All singing for partners in their spring finery, scruffs don't win out in this world.

Life emerging

It is looking likely that we will be isolated for some time so i will be returning here regularly.

A fluffed up  House Sparrow

So for now I will leave the history of the woods for another blog and leave this one simply with some pictures of my walk and some of the natural world that inhabits it.