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2003 Archive Stories and pics from |
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2003 Archive Stories and pics from |
May Day Trip to the Solway Coast
The weather was gey dreich as the nearly full bus of 48 headed south for the annual coastal walk. After an early 'comfort stop' at Abington things got worse, and by the time we reached Dumfries the rain was torrential. At New Abbey there was no hint of Criffel, it was lost in the mist and rain. Everyone decided on the coastal walk and so, after the longest toilet stop in the clubs' history (delaying tactics?), we headed for the start point. When we reached Sandyhills it had actually stopped raining and we started the walk in blustery but dry conditions. Various groups spread out along the route taking the walk at their own pace and negotiating the various stiles in their own style. The first part followed the cliff tops and involved some steep ascents and descents. We also passed a cow with its new born calf. The main group stopped for lunch at a ruined cottage and soon became the centre of attention for the local livestock .. however, our young calves did a sterling job in making sure they did not get too close to us or our 'pieces'. A final up and down brought us to Castle Hill Point were the path turned north to follow the seashore of Rough Firth for a more sheltered walk to Rockcliffe and then on to Kippford.
An interesting garden in Kippford featured numerous pieces of driftwood and rocks fashioned to look like animals and faces .. some of the faces looked vaguely familiar. The usual refreshments in the local hostelry rounded off an excellent days walking.
To sum up, it rained on the way down, it rained on the way back, it even rained when we were in the pub but during the walk it was dry. Is this a club first?
Willie Robison
May Evening Kite-flying Visit to Cairn Table
A good turn out for the first evening walk of the year with ten people travelling down to Muirkirk for the ascent of Cairn Table. At 6:40pm Chris, Bob, Paul and myself headed off out of the car park. After five minutes a couple of cars arrived in the car park and after a quick change Willie, Dougie, Tom and Alison headed off in pursuit of us. After another five minutes yet another car arrived in the car park and after an even quicker change Mark and Iona headed off after the rest of us. After another five minutes.......no cars arrived in the car park.
Everyone took their time and a pleasant evening was spent admiring the views and watching the cairn at the top of the hill get bigger and bigger. Eventually we all arrived at the top and put on some warm clothes .. it was a bit chilly! A good half an hour was spent on the summit, eating, drinking, talking and watching Willie trying to fly his kite. After Willie had given up due to exhaustion it was agreed to just head straight back down and leave Wee Hill for another day.
A quick drink in Strathaven ended a very enjoyable evening.
Mark Setford
May Backpacking Weekend to the Fisherfields
or
"One Camped under the Cuckoo's Nest!"
For several reasons there were a number of late cancellations, so in the end only 5 hardy souls ventured in to camp at Carnmore at the foot of A'Mhaighdean. James Anderson, Bob MacDonald and Allan Hutcheon travelled up to Poolewe on Friday morning, delayed by the holiday weekend traffic. Mark Setford and I set off from work and camped at the camp site (rip off!) at Poolewe but had the benefit of a pint or two of Beinn Dearg Ale at the hotel.
On Saturday Bob set off on a round of 3 Corbetts (Beinn a'Chaisgein, Beinn Dearg Mor and Beinn Dearg Bheag) while James and Allan H set off initially to climb A'Mhaighdean and Ruadh Stac Mor but, as the weather improved considerably during the day, extended this to include 2 more Munros (Beinn Tarsuinn and Mullach Coire Mhic Fhearchair) followed by a long walk back - a 13 hour day! Well done. Allan H was clearly well satisfied as he couldn't finish his favourite after-dinner tipple. James however is still short of the 2 tops on the Mullach. Mark and I walked into Carnmore on Saturday, stopping off to climb Beinn Lair and the Graham next door (I left the latter one to Mark).
On Sunday James and Allan H packed up to walk back to Poolewe, Bob set off for Ben Lair, the Graham next door and added on Beinn Airigh Charr. Mark and I set off for Beinn a'Chaisgein and added another Graham to the west, before making a long, but picturesque, walk back along the Fionn Loch.
On Monday morning Bob, Mark and I broke camp and set off back to Poolewe. There were a few tired legs and sore feet at the end of the day but the verdict was another enjoyable weekend.
A note on the state of the bothy at Carnmore ... the bothy roof has been completed since my last visit about 5 years ago and the building is watertight. The floor however is somewhat rough, compacted mud and stone. It was used by several walkers and fishermen over the weekend and so can readily serve as an emergency shelter. I prefer the tent myself.
And the cuckoo's nest?? I thought the cuckoo was a woodland bird which visited our shores in the summer. However one of the species had set up home in a small clump of about 6 stunted trees (hardly a wood) in the crags above the bothy. It started its monotone (or duo tone?) call about 4 am and continued to nigh midnight every day. If I could have located it, I think I would have walked out bare footed! One thing I won't be buying in Switzerland is a cuckoo clock!!!!!!!!!
Allan Boyd
(Technical note in case of any clever dicky comments .... we know the cuckoo doesn't nest. We know it lays its eggs in some other poor bird's nest and cuckoos away from morn till night safe in the knowledge that someone else is doing the work! Poetic licence there .. but reminds me strangely of SP days ........ Ed)
