A lovely balmy evening (and we don’t get many of those), warm night and beautiful hot (oh yes) sunny day. The only beach left on this stretch for us to walk along is in fact Ayr Beach. We visited it briefly on the day we arrived but today we decided to walk along it. As expected on this beautiful day and with the local schools having broken up either yesterday or at some point today, it was pretty busy!

No matter, we walked to the waters edge and as it was deliciously warm, we paddled our way along the beach. Initially it was a bit frustrating as Poppydog desperately wanted to be let off the lead and join in all the fun, but unfortunately with so many footballs, children and others dogs about, it would have been carnage! As we got further down the beach and the crowds thinned, she was allowed to use the full length of her lead (8m) to scamper about (or sit and wistfully look at others playing!).

At the far end, where the beach is separated from Doonfoot Beach by the river Doon, there was really nobody about and so she was given some freedom and we both happily splashed about in the shallows for awhile.

It really is a stunning day, even the swans have taken a trip down the river to enjoy the shallows.I don’t know how far out you would actually have to wade until you could swim as everyone seemed to keep within 50m or so which wasn’t even waist height!A great 7 mile walk (including the walk along the river from site and back).

Two thoughts of the day:

I have not seen any sign of Lifeguards on any of the beaches so far, though both the police and fire service seemed to be patrolling from the coast road?

I also haven’t come across any dog restrictions on any of the beaches so far – fabulous!

A lovely still warm night followed by a glorious hot summers day – now this we could get used to!

We needed to get a puncture repaired on the car today so I took it into Kwik Fit and left it there whilst Poppydog and I went off in search of the beach. On the way we passed a dog grooming parlour so we popped in on the off chance, as Poppydog’s ears are seriously matted and she won’t let me near them! As they were waiting for a client to arrive, they offered to do her ears right away – result! Now bearing in mind she was skittering and dodging about they managed to do a pretty decent job in removing all the tangles and cropping her ears fairly evenly. When I asked how much it would be – I was just told to put a couple of quid in the charity box!

To get over her trauma we hurried down for a serious play on the mostly empty Newton-on-Ayr beach.

Surprisingly the water was really quite warm!

Thats the first proper paddle I’ve had this year! Poppydog enjoyed it too!

And with her ‘go faster’ ears was quite content to race around chasing a ball or seagulls for a couple of hours until it was time to go and fetch the car.

The car was ready for us and when I asked how much it would be, I was told ‘Ach it was just a wee screw which I pulled out and repaired the wee hole so just put a few quid in the charity box’ – can you believe that?

Two thoughts of the day:

How do the Scots stay in business?

Life is about to change as the Scottish school holidays start at the end of this week – I wonder?

A warm night followed by a warm day!! A cloudyish start but soon the sun came out and stayed out and it was actually lovely and warm – can we believe that summer has arrived? To celebrate it’s arrival we made our way to Prestwick.As the tide was fully out we walked southwards along the beach and around the corner to Newton-on-Ayr beach. Last time we came here there was just a narrow strip of stony beach, whereas today….

A fabulous long stretch of mostly sandy bay. A few areas of barnacle covered stones but mostly just sand as far as the harbour in Ayr.

What a find – it really didn’t look much at high tide but though not the mist attractive beach it is a great dog walking beach and according to a local it is never busy – I guess if you live round here there is plenty of choice!

Not a long walk only 4.5 miles but a lovely bit of sunshine and we found another ball!

Two thoughts of the day:

Was planning a little trip to Arran for tomorrow but left it too late to book the ferry – really I am so busy!

Why are three chocolate biscuits never enough?

After a warm and still night the day was quite cloudy but warm with a light coastal breeze – perfect. We parked up in the same place as yesterday and after a runaround in the grassland for Poppydog….We walked northwards and down onto the lovely expanse of sand that is Stevenston Beach.

A lovely strip of soft sand, backed by dunes and low grassland, with a few stony patches but mostly just powdery sand or wet sand. After a play we wandered up onto the dunes for a better look, towards Saltcoats….

And back towards Ardeer….

Even Poppydog sat for about 10 seconds to take it all in!…

As we approached Saltcoats the wooden groins added a certain drama, with Arran in the distance and some fairly dusky clouds – the overall effect I think you’ll agree is quite something.

In Saltcoats the harbour feels a bit abandoned with not a boat in sight.

And just around the corner a series of old bathing pools with spectacular views across to Arran.

Leading on to another large crescent shaped sandy bay – Saltcoats Beach, with Ardrossan and the Ferry to Arran at the far end.

Half way along the beach Stanley Burn runs out to sea providing a suitable bathing area for the seagulls and Poppydog (not at the same time!).

Another play on the beach before we start our walk back.

Two very fine beaches and a splendid 7.5 mile walk.

Two thoughts of the day:

Ayrshire – a dog walkers paradise with beach after beach and very few people around.

Time for bed!