Log No 147. Wed 2nd Oct 2013 - Ardrossan to Ayr, 22 miles (2290 miles walked)

Today did not go as planned.

I had intended leaving the campsite at 07.00 to go to the bus station, I didn't wake up until 7. It was after midnight when I finished the log then I read for an hour to finish a book.

It was 09.30 when I got to Ardrossan to start walking in the rain.

Looking at the map it was sandy beaches all the way to Ayr.

I went round the headlands at Ardrossan and Saltcoats following the Ayrshire Coastal Path (ACP), then along the beach to a small headland where I took a break.

At this point the ACP headed inland but I stayed on the beach, the River Irvine, in the middle of Irvine Bay, had to be crossed but the map showed a footbridge across it to a car park.

I wondered why the ACP didn't come this way, I presumed it was possibly because you might get into difficulties at high tide, the dunes had security fencing on top and some of the sea wall couldn't be climbed.

An hour later when I got to the river and turned the corner to go to the bridge you could have knocked me down with a feather. If there was an occasion to cause me to swear, and there hasn't been yet, this was almost it. A middle section of the bridge was missing!!

So that's why the ACP doesn't come this way.

The central section looks to have been purposely removed to stop access across the river. There is a big building on this side of the river which was obviously a tourist attraction and you can see through the glass frontage that everything is still in place.

There was another bridge further up the river but as I didn't know if I could get access (high security fences all round the works) I had no alternative but to return the way I had come.

Having lost 2 hours and 7 miles I was not going to get to Ayr as planned. I decided that as I had effectively walked the distance I would catch a bus to Troon and carry on from there.

Walking round the headland at Troon I discovered where all the stockpiles of felled trees I have been seeing where being taken. I spent a few minutes watching the automated process before continuing.

Back on the beach again and this time I made sure the ACP came this way.

The map showed a potential obstacle with a stream coming through the dunes near Prestwick Airport.

If I couldn't cross it I would only need a small detour to get over it.

The stream was quite wide but not deep, I could either take my boots & socks off or put my gaiters on and hope they keep the water out. I put my gaiters on. No problem.

On a nice sunny day all these beaches on this bit of coast must be mobbed with people but on this rainy day there were very few folk about.

Coming round the final small headland at Prestwick I had my last beach walk of the day to the dock area of Ayr.

There was no public access so I followed the cycleway signs into the town.

At the River Ayr I took the riverside walk up past Ayr College back to the campsite.

It was 17.10, much later than I had expected for walking 22 miles.