4 microspikes, 2 Spiders and 4 paws on NYD in Irvine

[goth_angel]

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When: 1 January 2010
Who: self, melancton, dotty, dogz (sadly retired hurt)
Where: from Irvine to Eglington park and back (about 8 miles and 3 hours in total)
Path condition: terrible - thank goodness for microspikes!

A bit of a brief trip report from me, at least compared to the usuals! Wasn't originally going to do one but it has been so long since I did one I was getting withdrawal symptoms!

I would like to point out first that I do not think this cold snap in Scotland has anything to do with me. For one thing it has been pretty freezing down south as well. For another the actual visibility has been pretty good on the whole rather than me being followed around by clag etc. Although I am capable of many things I have concluded that adversely affecting the weather is not one of them and that I have merely been unlucky to date.

Having not managed to get out much recently we wanted to try and do some sort of a walk while we were up - we also wanted to try out the Microspikes. Going up into the hills seemed not to be a runner for a number of reasons one being the conditions, and two being that I had come down with a cold and was feeling below par as well as having done almost no exercise recently. So we made arrangements with Dotty to do a bit of a walk on the flat, doing a toddle from Irvine to Eglington country park and back.

The main features of the walk were some cracking views of Arran on the way out and better on the way back, as we managed to catch the start of the sunset. Very cold though and rivers frozen everywhere. Walked fast though amd soon felt a bit warmer!



Conditions underfoot were distinctly treacherous and the microspikes (me and Stuart) and the Grivel Spiders (dotty) went on within about 200 yards of leaving the car as the pavements & paths/ tracks in Irvine (and I suspect everywhere) are skating rinks and we would probably not have got much further without them without someone (or everyone! ) falling on their backsides. Marvellous bit of kit, basically allow for normal walking action. Didn't quite forget they were on as my legs felt a bit heavy but I think that had more to do with having a cold plus lack of exercise.









The actual country park has a ruined castle in it which looked quite moody.



Unfortunately at this point it became clear that 'dogz' had hurt his paw somewhere as there were spots of blood on the ice where he had been walking. After Stuart had a good look at his paw he decided the best thing to do was to call and arrange for him and 'dogz' to be picked up and taken back to Irvine by car so as not to aggravate it. Dotty and I decided to walk back and were rewarded by some excellent views of the sun setting over Arran on the way back.









Of course there had to be post walk drinks - it's the law! I should point out in dotty's defence that she was not responsible for any of these drinks and it is entirely our fault! Quite tired when I got back, although 8 miles in 3 hours wasn't too bad given conditions - and the fact that my cold has definitely got worse since



Overall a very enjoyable little toddle and dogz seems to be OK now thankfully. Was great to catch up with dotty again too Also really good to test out the microspikes before trying them on anything involving more of an ascent - now feel confident they work

Here's to many more walks (and post walk drinks! ) in 2010. Definitely need to get fitter again though!
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[Irene]

Good on you all for getting out today. Just as well I couldn't join you and I would have been left slipping and sliding as I don't have microspikes or spiders yet. Hopefully catch up with you next time you are at your in laws.

[JimH]

Good on yous for just getting out and giving the legs a stretch Always love the views over to Arran on a cold winters day. You just can't beat it

Nothings changed much in the last week, i stayed at the in laws in Castlepark over xmas and the pavements were rock solid then Could be a wee while before we get a thaw.

[Arp67]

Great views over to Arran. I take the dog down to Troon beach once in a while but haven't seen it with snow like that. Must get back down before too long. And another spokesman for the Microspikes Marketing Board here too - perfect for these conditions! Happy New Year to all.

[fmck]

Arran looks fantastic at the moment. All the years I hoped to see it in this mini ice age condition while climbing

The Paps of Jura looked good as well when on the 3 towns bypass, really plastered.

BTW : Eglington park was a place I grew up near, I was born in one of the estate buildings, Pine Lodge although it was no longer part of the estate at the time.

[summerwalker]

Don't the hills look marvellous with snow on? My partner was in Irvine earlier in the week and said Arran was looking spectacular.

Thanks for posting

[HighlandSC]

Nice report, well done getting out on new years day. I did the same, and also wore my microspikes round Glen Nevis for 8 miles. Fantastic things, seems everyones getting them.

[dotty]

well done, Tessa for getting a report done on our walk, your pictures are really good. I really enjoyed getting out yesterday, I know I would never have been able to do it without the spiders though.
Safe journey home.

[fertg1234]

Thanks for that report its good to see someone getting out and about. Loved the pictures of Arran.

[Robinho08]

It's good to get out and stretch the legs, I'd take the cold over clag and wet any day!

Note to self though, I must invest in some microspikes.
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It's the great outdoors. It's fresh air! Doesn't it make you proud to be Scottish?

[SimonP]

Looked like some nice views Tessa. 8 miles in 3 hours over iced up paths is fair shifting it.
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Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.

[dotty]

[goth_angel]

[peterb]

Well done on getting out and trying out your new bit of kit.

[Hils]

Great to see a TR from you Tessa, glad you got out eventually, and great conditions for testing the gear out, I need those just to walk to my garage at the moment it seems. A guid new year to you.