Report on Ailsa Craig Trip - Life on the Ocean Wave
Saturday 28th August 2004

We all set off on the long drive to Girvan, some of us didn't want to be late so set off early to miss all the traffic. We did miss all the traffic and arrived an hour early, Irene and Kathryn making sure our ship didn't sail with out us.

All safely in Girvan the twelve apostles set sail for their pilgrimage to the Ailsa Craig on a quaint fishing boat, St. Peter would have been proud of. Some of the party worse for ware from the previous nights partaking in the wine (There should be a warning to our English friends that Allan G seriously damages your liver). The crossing was lets say choppy - the faces said it all - but our club weather reporters John Kettley- Morley+blue sky Gaffney cheered us up by predicting the sun would shine. They were so confident they left their waterproofs at home.

Obviously common sense is not part of the job description for weather readers as they both never thought going out on the open sea's in an open boat would involve things called waves which came over the boat and drenched everyone. That is those who had not brought their waterproofs. The crossing was exhilarating and cries of 'are we nearly there yet' were heard a plenty.

Landing on the island now down to 11 as Tommy was staying on the boat to catch our tea. We set off up the hill. There is a light house and a few cottages on the island which are derelict to which some suggested we purchase for the club. But others suggested that we had in fact now been marooned on the island in some kind of reality show called 'Air na Creagan get me out of here'. After an initial climb up a well trodden path we passed a castle, which was an obvious photo opportunity, from there it was through the bracken to search for the pigmies - Mr Gaffney dreams.  However, the only signs of wild life was Maureen stripping off - but Michael saved her blushes with his multi purpose survival blanket acting as a changing room.

The path eventually disappears so we decide straight up was the best route reaching the top to spectacular views of Arran, The Mull of Kintyre and Ireland in the distance. At this point Irene said 'I thought this was a bird sanctuary' to which Allan(mackavenney) Gaffney replied 'where's the burds', but they were no where to be seen. After a lovely sunny lunch on the top it was back to the boat for a wee trip round the island where we saw thousands of birds on the other side. On the way back we were treated to a round of charades, by Mr Gaffney, and a wee dram from the emergency beer supplies but to no avail no fish for tea.

You forgot to mention Maureen baring her bum on the way down - maybe this was left out to save embarrassment (Craggy)

Michael Nicol

Click to view a panorama shot from Ailsa Craig (this is a big file - 358k)