Day 1: Glenapp to Ballantrae

Posted bykimonanadventurePosted inUncategorized

Day’s km: 15.3km

We are staying at the Woodland Bay Hotel, 2-3km outside of Girvan. This morning, we were to take a bus to the Ayrshire CP trailhead at Glenapp Kirk. We thought we’d have to get to Girvan first to catch the bus but the owner of the hotel told us we could just stick our hands out at the front of the hotel and the bus would stop.

We got out at the correct time. Early even. Finally, a bus came toward us on the narrow road of massive lorries flying by. I stuck out my hand and ZOOM. The bus went right by us. What?! It took awhile but Dad figured it out…not only were we were on the wrong side of the road, but we had been headed in the wrong direction.

We crossed the road and the bus stopped for us on its way back several minutes later after it did a loop in Girvan, just like the owner said it would. Why did I have doubts?

I realise my imagination can hurt me. I, far too often, imagine “what if [worse case scenario here]”? Dad asked this morning, “What if [worst case scenario] doesn’t happen?”

Signs on the bus

Gillian met us on the bus today, shortly before 8:20am, in Ballantrea where she left her car. The fog was thick. We all got off at Glenapp Kirk and began our walk.

I don’t know why the Scots go by miles…I suppose to tell the Imperial system where to go.

Ayrshire Coastal Path trailhead.

Not much to be seen.
Scottish Thistle.
Fog is starting to clear.
Foxglove
A smuggling cove
Can you find the wild goats?
Up the steep bit.
Though not in this picture, the fog lifted enough for us to see Northern Norway across the water (2hr ferry ride). Behind Aisla Craig here, you can see Isle of Arran.
This broke my heart…so many plastic bottles and other garbage pushed down into the marshes (cows walking on them) and on the beaches.
I met a new friend.
Near the end of the walk, we had about 3-4 km left (see it in the distance)?
And soooo many gorgeous stones!
Which of the top two descriptions are you drawn too? I took these pics at the end of the split, but they were also at the beginning of the split.
So many beautiful scenes. The fog lifted through the day.
Smiling public toilettes in Ballantrae after the walk (15.5km)
The Scots aren’t known for healthy food now, are they? Deep fried cheese and mushroom pizza and fries at Graziano’s Harbour Cafe in Girvan.

We had a lovely day. I’m glad we hired Gillian to help us understand the trail signs and to understand the background/work behind the volunteer maintained trail, and of course, to help us find our way. The trail is not always clearly marked, but I think we’ll be okay going forward.

Published by kimonanadventure

Explorer, learning to be at home in the world and within myself.

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