Jan 31st Standing posts

The last day of January and the weather was just as foul as predicted. Took a chance during a lull in the storms to go down for a paper. These posts with the stormy sky and a brief glimpse of sunshine on the houses caught my eye.

Beach posts

Jan 30th Storm Gertrude

Yet again we have the delight of another storm hitting the west coast, this time named Gertrude. Strong winds today to be followed by snow tonight, fab. The seafront feels just as cold and bleak as it looks.

Bleak sea front

Jan 29th Looking after the weans

We had to look after the girls today which is never a chore. The wee one was in good form as this pic shows.

Happy girl

Jan 28th Haggis beer

I was in the supermarket today and spotted this beer. I am a big fan of Harviestoun beers but I have never come across this one before. Presumably it was brewed for Burns night. I am too late for that but will do fine for watching the footie tonight. It is a very nice taste indeed.

Haggis beer

Jan 27th Weather window 4 hours beach walk

The forecast was granting us a short weather window before the rains came back so got a short walk along the beach. Nice to get out and as I write the rain is hitting the window. Forecast says this for next week at least, the joys.

Barassie weather window

Jan 26th Sorting out the fishing tackle

Today storm Jason was to hit with rain forecast all day. I decided to sort out my fishing tackle and decide what was going to the charity shop and what was being retained for the coming season. Started with the rods, where did they all come from? Long day ahead.

Jan 25th Collenan water level low

I took another walk around the fishery. I knew that they were lowering the water to tackle a weed problem. They must have let a lot out as despite the constant rain the platforms are standing well out of the water, at really high water the standing tops can be covered.

Collenan fishing platforms

Jan 24th Family visit

The kids arrived for a visit today which is always nice with a bit of trauma always thrown in for good measure. The middle one was looking angelic at times but always puts on her cheesy smile for the photos.

Jan 22nd Rain or dry

The forecast was yet again undecided so I decided to do a shorter cycle than planned. I got to Prestwick and on through Monkton and took a decision based on this cloud formation. The very, very brief blue sky was threatened by the heavy clouds so I decided to retrace my steps. Wise decision the rain came on just after getting home.

dry or rain?

Jan 21st Blue skies just

It teemed with rain all morning but right on noon it brightened up so out for a walk. There was even some blue sky appearing out to the west. A breezy but bright walk up to Collenan reservoir where this picture was taken. Blue sky but no trout moving, can't have everything. Just after taking this I stood on the dam wall and looked out to sea where the rainstorms were already scudding across the water. Brightness over for another month.

There are trout in there..Collenan

Jan 20th Mountain bike gets an outing

My MTB got an outing yesterday and today. Nothing adventurous just local tracks and woods. It was good fun and made a nice change from road cycling. The only problem with cycling in this weather is having to give the bike a full wash after every trip. Here is a picture of a nice clean bike.

Clean MTB

Jan 19th Cormorants

I was down at Troon shore and saw these cormorants lining the edge of the rocks, a few gulls interloping as well. Cormorants and shags are common locally around our shores, not to everyone's liking.

Cormorants Troon

Jan 18th First wren of the year in garden

I was doing some work in the study when I spotted this beautiful wren on the bush in the back garden. It might be cold outside but it was feeding well. The bush traditional shelters various types on insects and the wren does feed on it occasionally. Poor quality snap as taken through a dirty window.

Wren

Jan 17th Tracks in the snow

Yesterdays snow was still lying when I went out this morning and spotted these tracks in the front garden. Did a quick internet search but could find no obvious patterns, probably a cat but who knows?

Tracks in the snow

Jan 16th Snow again

Another day for the house, the forecast was for snow to arrive mid morning and continue for most of the day. As you can see from the back garden it did arrive, how long will it last?

Jan 15th Scenic bus stop Troon

If you have to stand and wait for a bus this stop is as good as it gets. When you turn your back on the cars and houses there are magnificent views of Arran, Ayr bay and Ailsa Craig. You might not mind the bus being a few minutes late.

Arran view Troon

Jan 14th Final helicopter flight HMS Gannet

I became aware last night that the helicopters of HMS Gannet were to do a final flypast of their rescue territory beginning from the base. I looked at the flight path and headed down to the Ballast bank. It was a beautiful morning and I hoped to get them in the air with either Ailsa Craig or snow capped Arran in the background. A few other people clearly had the same idea. To our dismay they did not fly over the sea to Irvine but went inland so they were a good distance away as this shot shows, a few curses again.

Jan 13th First flower in the garden

Walking round the very shaded side of the house some colour in the undergrowth caught my eye. This dark photo still showed the vivid colours that caught my eye. Not being any sort of flower expert I think it is a primrose but I am prepared to be shot down, spring coming!!

Jan 12th Colours on the golf course

It was to be a bright but cold morning followed by heavy rain after lunch. Just as well we were playing early. I noticed these colours on the course, the gorse or broom (not sure which is which) turning yellow already, the brownish clumps of heather as well as the grasses, a nice picture for this time of year. As it turned out the rain came on early and we got soaked.

Golf course colours Jan'16

Jan11th First snow for us.

After the rain comes the snow. Whilst working in my study I looked up to see white stuff coming down. Quickly took this shot which I think is quite attractive with the snow streaking the picture.

1st snow Barassie 2016

Jan 10th Dark skies and light in the afternoon Barassie

Another day of miserable weather, the rain was on when we got up and stayed that way for most of the day. A late afternoon walk along the beach and on the way back got this snap, quality not great as from the phone but it reflected the day.

Barassie late afternoon light

Jan 9th Beach clean up still required

The beach is still in need of a huge clean up, I hope it comes soon, Ailsa Craig in the background.

Troon beach

Jan 8th Indoor crafts

It is rare for us to get snow being close to the sea. This morning was wet and miserable and just after lunch I spotted white streaks falling outside the window of my study, the joys!! Turning to internal hobbies my good lady does a great job converting driftwood and shells into crafts, an example here, well done.

Jan 7th Washed out again

We are not getting the destructive weather that is afflicting other parts of Scotland but still the rain is hacking us off. Golf was planned for today but it rained all night and was forecast for most of the day. So instead indoors stuff including looking out of the window at the rain dropping from the gardening gloves.

Raindrops on garden gloves

Jan 6th First ride on new bike

A dry day predicted so first outing on new bike, photo another day. This was a familiarisation ride as long, long, time since I rode a dropped handles road bike. Did a nice circuit of Monkton, Tarbolton, Dundonald and back via Symington. Tested on a few ups and downs. First impressions are positive, very fast, good gearing but riding position will take a bit of getting used to. The picture below is on the back road to Galston just before the 1st shower arrived, so much for the forecast. Really pissed off as when got back as I could not get the new trip computer off at first and when I did I must have pressed a button deleting the ride data, EXPLETIVES!!

The road to Galston

Jan 5th Golf cover Welcome to my Nightmare

Thankfully there are a few dry days around and golf now gets a look in. Normally my clubs get put away for a few months but times have changed and I like to get in at least one round a week, weather permitting. I needed a new driver head cover, Homer's zip bit the dust, and the kids duly obliged with this Xmas present. Apt as Alice Cooper is also a keen golfer so as one of his tracks says ' Welcome to our golfing nightmare'.

Alice Cooper driver cover

Jan 4th Troon south beach storm debris

The nicest day of the year so far, clearer skies and a bit chillier but not as cold as a true winter January. A short bike ride early on was good followed by a stroll along the front at South beach. As you can see from the picture the beach cleaners are either still on holiday or not bothering to tidy this mess up. This is the remains of Storm Frank and the high tides from last week. It is not just the beach as the promenade covered as well. Not the best advert for tourists to the town.

Troon South beach storm debris

Jan 3rd Sunday cycle

It is still a grey day, a fair old easterly wind blowing but not cold so time to get the cycling legs working. I got a 10 miler locally yesterday and upped it a bit more today. I stuck mainly to the cycle path, through Irvine and into Kilwinning town centre and back via Troon. I thoroughly enjoyed it, a fair 27 miler. Not got the new bike yet so the trusty Boardman hybrid, still an excellent bike, did the work. It even posed for a photo with Irvine viaduct in the background.

Boardman Hybrid Irvine viaduct behind

Jan 2nd Rugby Park Who ate all the crowd

Normal life resumed and the Jambos arrive at Rugby park for this New Years fixture. It is sad to see how much the crowds have declined at Killie. The far stand in this shot is not used at all and this does not help to build an atmosphere. According to the stadium announcer Hearts bring almost 2000 fans, a great turnout. The score ends 2-2, obviously I'm not a neutral but I thought we should have won missing a stack of half chances. Still watching a game better than sitting in the house.

Rugby Park v Hearts

Jan 1st 2016 Morning jog

Well that's the party season over for another year. With a slightly fuzzy head I set off for my traditional New Years Day run just after sunrise. A cooler morning, more like winter, hat & gloves required, but still a jog that I really enjoyed, the self satisfaction factor very strong. No other mad joggers out this early but surprisingly quite a few dog walkers, normally I have the beach and golf course all to myself on this day. Now time for that unhealthy breakfast, normality does not return until Monday.

View from 7th tee Western Gailes 1st Jan16