Menootering; Lovely Lochwinnoch

On the way north from New Abbey, there was a brief stop at the Loch Arthur Community Shop for a bit of a spend-up on some organic goodness. (I'll be bringing you a relevant video next week.) I was really wishing I had bought more of the bread, because the loaf I did get was scoffed down pronto - by far the best bread I have eaten in a very long time! The range of incredible natural and organic, as well as vegetarian/vegan-friendly, products was tremendous. A real treat.

Then on to Castle Douglas Coop and B&M stores for grocery and 'household' purchases, before moving on up to Alloway, Bellisle Park for an overnight stop. There had been a plan to drop in via Culzean Castle Gardens, but yet again, the rain came as soon as the thought was formed - and stayed. I really had to reassess and find somewhere indoors to visit, so the weather wouldn't be an issue. I had a place in mind, but that will be for next week's post. Meanwhile, I made another shortish hop up to Lochwinnoch, mainly because there were EV chargers there at a cost of under 50p a unit - and the ability to park overnight without restriction. This turned out to be a bit of a diamond spot, and I stayed two nights.

Yes, it remained overcast and showery, but at least that full day, there were lots of sunny breaks as well. The visitor centre here is called Castle Semple, and this water and walking park is part of the greater Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park. For those unfamiliar, national parks are vast, government-protected areas meant to preserve unique landscapes and wildlife. Regional parks are smaller areas managed by local authorities to provide easily accessible outdoor recreation, green spaces, and community leisure near towns and cities. During the day, this place was packed and buzzing with activity! At night, apart from youngsters having their fun, it was very peaceful. Sailing, rowing, SUP-boarding, model-boating... You name it! At the end of the Loch is an RSPB centre, and a big attraction at the park promenade is the number of friendly birds. Ducks, Geese, various Gulls, Swans, Coots, Rock Doves and Wood Pigeons, different Corvids... I even spotted a Grebe, though it wasn't joining the throng. 

More about the birds tomorrow. 

While sitting outside between showers and enjoying all the birds, I observed a fellow turn up with a bag of seeds and start feeding them... and the swans were hand-feeding from him. I've fed different birds by hand over the years, but I'm not sure I would have had the courage to approach a swan... they have a reputation, don't they?! You saw the swan video last Friday. That couple were being very watchful of their single chick... David asked where the others were (because there are generally at least three or four, and the brood can be as much as seven. I don't have an answer, except clearly there was either only the one successful hatching - or a tragic early life situation for however many did hatch, leaving this solitary, much-guarded cygnet. 

Another fellow turned up with a crushed fat ball to spread around, which the Gulls and Jackdaws in particular were happy for. We struck up conversation, as there were no less than three families turning up with loaves of bread.... NOOOOOOO! He told me that there had been a sign warning folk not to feed bread, but it had disappeared mysteriously one night and had never been replaced. 

Pat Smith and I ended up chatting for well over an hour! That was before lunch. We picked up the conversation when he returned later that afternoon to give the birds some tea. What an interesting man... born and bred and lived life-long in Lochwinnoch (with one period away that told him he needed to return!). He had been a keen videographer and photographer, as had his father and uncle before him. He and his cousin, Brian, are responsible for the excellent archive website, PBTheCairn... of course, it is primarily set up for the community, but it is an impressive effort of archiving, and if, like me, you enjoy poring over old photos, it will while away some cheerful minutes. There's a decent history section, too. There are no contemporary photos of the cousins, but there are some earlier ones of Brian under the 'families' banner (at the very bottom), and those of Pat (snr) give you a good idea of how Pat (jnr) looks now, as he is currently at about the age of the photos taken of his father. You can, though, see the youthful Pat (jnr) on the page about Clyde Cooperage, where he earned his place as a journeyman cooper.

I will definitely have to return to Lochwinnoch and give the town itself more attention. What had been intended mainly as a stopgap charging park-up turned into a wonderful interactive experience. The birds were a large part of the joy for me - and on that, more tomorrow!