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I'm in a fellow walkers car today.There'll be a delay in starting todays walk.
The car park where we should have been parking(in this picture) was inaccessible due to contractors on road improvement work.
Our new start is at the small parish church of Glenapp.
In the church grounds are the graves of the first,second and third Earls of Inchcape.
The Inchcape family name is Mackay,and at one time most of the land around Glenapp would have been part of the estate.
In 1928 the Hon. Elsie Mackay, third daughter of the first Earl of Inchcape, owner of Glenapp Estate, was lost attempting the first flight across the Atlantic.
On the hillside opposite,planted in memory of Elsie Mackay are rhododendrons and azaleas in their summer glory.
And an inscription on the bell tower also to her memory.
More on the history of the church can be found at
http://www.ballantraeparishchurch.org.uk/Glen%20Kirk.htm
Around twenty walkers assembled,suitably attired for the lovely warm sunny day it was.
The first part of the walk is a long moderate incline along Craiganlea,with views over Loch Ryan and the North Rhins.
The pace at the moment is fine for me.Plenty of energy to converse with other walkers and put the world to right.
Now on the braes of Sandloch hill,the views begin to open up for us.
To the west,beyond the Corsewall lighthouse Northern Ireland looks a stones throw away...
...and to the north is Ailsa Craig,Arran and Holy Isle.Views also seen of the Mull of Kintyre,and possibly the Isle of Bute,but i'm not sure about that.
Our walk leader and other ramblers pick out points of interest.
There are sheep around,so gates have to be closed.Our path now zig zags down to the shore...
...where below us is Portandea...
...also known as Two Door Cove.This was a seaside chalet built in the 1920's for the Inchcape family.
A steepish climb down and here we 'll have lunch.
There's even time for a little exploration.
No one's in a real hurry to leave this lovely place,but eventually we're retracing our steps and climbing.
I'm struggling to keep up.I forgot my Chic Murray hat today,and i've caught a bit of heat from the sun...
...but with views as good as this,there are plenty of stops.
Time to zoom in on Ailsa Craig...
...as P & O and Stena ferries make their way across the north channel.
A fellow walker brings these lovely common spotted orchids to my attention.
A few more breaks are taken before we begin descending back to the start point.
We're nearly back at Glenapp church,where the 'Water of App' is looking decidedly anaemic (merriam-webster dictionary : lacking force, vitality, or spirit.)Although we did spot a number of small fish swimming
With the former manse of Glenapp church coming into view,our walk is concluded.The car park is at the rear.
A lovely walk on a lovely day.
