CRFC Walk from Stepping Stones to Failford Sunday 21 June 2009

The Cronie Ramblers Fae Cumnock (CRFC) alias the 5 o’clock club
decided that as the Club was struggling financially that they would get together with an idea to raise some funds to help the Club out.

Various ideas were banded about until it was agreed that the fund raising would take the form of a sponsored walk from the Stepping Stones at Holmston to the Failford Inn. This had formed from an initial group of Stuart Fleming, Donald McVicar, Hugh Laidlaw & his dogs, Sam Wilson and myself your correspondent - Rodger Stewart who walked from Catrine House to Failford and the idea of a sponsored walk cristalised.

Unfortunately some of the CRFC had other commitments such as a party in Austria, SQA marking, working at some local car dealership and having to walk their dog and see their grandchild with their sore knee but nevertheless they all still came up with their sponsorship required to help out. So good on you guys.

So 10 members undertook the 12 mile Walk and John Telfer had walking gear on rather than the hospital gardener’s outfit we expected. However as we gathered at the Club ready to head for the start a familiar occurrence took place – YES we were waiting for Sam Wilson - I phoned him to receive a very clear reply that he was at the front door of the Club and don’t dare leave without him.

Arriving at the start Tom Allardice who was already there was being chewed by the midges but Hughie came to the rescue with his ‘Avon Skin So Soft’ for the team, although the midges would never have got near Hughie for the alcohol he had consumed whilst away for a week’s ‘fishing’ – By the way - No-one has ever seen any fish – he said they were frozen and in the freezer – Aye that will be right! – I can get them the same way from the supermarket but he swears he was away ‘fishing’

Photo then taken of the Cumnock 10 and off we went, kitted out as if we were heading for the North Pole. I foolishly mentioned that I had seen some expensive ‘Garmin’ watches at Cotswald’s in Silverburn and Donald explained how they could tell you at what height you were at and where in the world you were and, and, and, and. And, ANd, AND, to receive a swift response from Hughie – for ‘F’ sake Donald we are walking next to a BURN.
So off we set and within the first 5 minutes it was obvious that the egos that exist at the weekly get together on a Friday at the Club were in full force and with a vengeance.

Now Tom Allardice was only walking at his own pace as he always does but did that not get up Donald McVicar’s nose because you see McVic has climbed nearly all of the Munros in Scotland and will not be beaten into second place by anyone (his words not mine). So he rejected his wee pal Rodger your CRFC correspondent within the space of the first 600 yards – a friend who had walked with him the week before through the whole Walk as a reccy.

So on we went to the first land mark of Oswald Bridge and everyone was in high spirits. Over the top of Auchincruive towards Tarholm Bridge and the first wee bit of an uphill ahead – I said to Sam that it wasn’t too bad but when he reached it I got a serious earful from him telling me about being a ‘Lying B’ – I’m glad he couldn’t reach me at that point.

However it was quite obvious that at this point in the walk both Tom’s and Hughie’s dogs had already covered the 12 miles – dogs rule ok unless you are wee Mick who was now beginning to cruise and Donald was eyeing up the competition. We now reach Tarholm Bridge and were about a couple of miles from Annbank – a seriously lovely stretch of the walk.

As we reach Annbank thank goodness Donald and I had managed to reccy the walk the week before as there was no chance of following the directions through the village but Donald got the lead group to stop at the agreed picnic tables. Ian McClue didn’t need any refreshments as he has a slick sooking apparatus in his rucksack (must be an Auchinleck thing – keeping it to yourself) - he didn’t offer anyone a ‘suck’ who at this point all needed a wee aperitif but mentioned how much you save by slugging it this way - we may have slavered into it causing swine flu to gather momentum.

We then phoned the food order to Failford who were concerned at how busy they could get as it was Father’s Day so asked if we could keep in touch with out arrival time.

After a wee break the group moved on and the disaster of all disasters nearly occurred as Donald tripped on a piece of wood and nearly fell over down the hill and into the river –everyone quickly reacted at the peril of their lives to take a serious hit but saved the world by stopping him causing the first River Ayr Tsunami.

Alex Dunsmuir our President and resident photographer then decided that it would be sensible to get the camera out in case of future events that could be used for ever during a 5 o’clock session. (Why did you miss that pic Alex?)

The pace increased now towards Gadgirth Bridge and on to Stair with the impressive Enterkine House up on our left. At this point a number of young women running from the Source at Glenbuck to the Sea met the group and would you believe it they all knew McVic and damn near bowed down to him – SCARY!’ He later told us one of the women was his secretary – OH Well!

We have now only 3 miles left and a considerable climb ahead but McVic obviously inspired by the women’s comments is hell bent in stepping up the pace and getting to Failford first for a pint.

Had he never heard of wee Mick??? Well on they went with the rest of the group enjoying the great weather that we were experiencing and the blether that was taking place but wee Mick clearly recognised an opportunity to redress the SPL League position where the Gers had prevailed and this had only been mentioned on a very few occasions because we couldn’t keep up with the wee B – he even said that his dog would have beaten us and it is only 12 inches high.

I then received a phone call from Donald bragging that he had managed to keep up with wee Mick and that he needed to know what the DRINKS order was as he was approaching the Failford Inn.

Sam and wee Rodger Little were not chuffed with McVic until I told them that the pub didn’t open until 12.30 and McVic would have to wait until we had arrived – they were seriously chuffed and I’ll not quote the words Sam used to express his delight but I know you will be able to effin’ guess correctly.

We all arrived at the Failford Inn to copious amounts of Windie Goat real ale and the Gutter Slab version that was available for us. Chris and Michelle Kelsall, the proprietors were there to welcome us and had our thoroughly enjoyable hearty meal ready. We blethered and sank our pints whilst Tom’s dog enjoyed the air conditioned car’s driving seat waiting for Tom to return.

Sam mentioned to us in a loud voice that he had just received his new walking gear on Friday as it was his 63rd birthday and he was the oldest in the company – eruption then takes place as wee Rodg Little explains he is 66. OOOPs!!!

Whilst enjoying this great company and great exercise in great spirit we managed to raise just under £2000 for Club funds – and what an enjoyable way to do it.

I would like to express my thanks to the 10 Walkers and all the sponsors, I think we have started something that looks as if it might continue (we have now completed 3 Walks as CRFC) and if any member of the Club wants to join the ‘CRFC’ please on the first instance get in touch with the President Alex Dunsmuir who will be happy to give you details of future Walks.

3rd Walk was around the Straiton Area last Sunday finishing with a pint and bar lunch at the Black Bull in Straiton. Next walk will be next Saturday 25th July at a venue still undecided. If anyone has details of good walks we would also be very happy to hear about them.

Best wishes to the YOUNG PLAYERS who it is believed are considering a fund raising event(s) to beat the £2000 raised by the AULD CRFC ‘B’s

Best of Luck!!!!!

Rodger Stewart
CRFC Correspondent

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