THE RETURN LINLITHGOW TO REDDING

 LINLITHGOW TO REDDING

At this mooring we were able to start the engine at 0700 and we did to get the heat on. I went to put the kettle on and no gas. Thought we were on a empty cylinder I went to change it over. Still no joy or gas. 

We dropped our lines and were on the canal at 0800 headed to Redding where we will spend the night. 

Again a most enjoyable leisurely cruise and it seems the colors have gotten better during our absence from this area. 

 

                                  REDDING MOORING 

 

 



We arrived at Redding at about 1000 and moored up. I again played with the gas and still no joy. A quick call to Black Prince and we tried to troubleshoot over the phone. I had been doing all the suggested remedies. A mechanic will be out in about an hour to give it a look. No worries we have all day. 

 



While here I placed a call to the Falkirk Wheel Basin Master to book our transit of the wheel tomorrow. You need to book this 24 hours in advance. We have a booking for 1300 to 1400 tomorrow. Tomorrow after we leave the Falkirk Tunnel we are requested to confirm this booking. 



 

Evan the Mechanic from Black Prince came out and was as stumped as I was on the gas situation. We finally figured out is was a reset button  that needed brute force to reset, even though it looked reset. It may also be the tank diverter valve, so we swapped the tanks. 

 

He was the only one on duty and is swamped. After us he was headed to a crash near the Prince Charlie Aqueduct where there were broken windows and who knows what else. I did offer to go with him.  He also mentioned something about the engine hatch being flooded. 

 



Off to TESCO we went where we picked up some supplies for the next few days. I did find another jumper to match my brown one. We did pick up a couple premade sandwiches for our lunch as I was kinda wanting tuna fish and sweet corn. Jelly doughnuts were only £1.20 for 5,  who can resist. Lynn also stocked up on her favorite coffee as it is cheaper than Amazon. 

After lunch we found our bread to be a bit moldy so back to TESCO we went. 

Beef Stew is on the menu this evening and we will be seated at the Captains Table. 

Thus far today no rain, yet the sky is dark to the West. 

 

 

 

   

SQUALLS IN LINLIHGOW!

 SQUALLS IN LINLITHGOW!

0400 and there be squalls. The wind has really picked up and a very steady heavy rain is falling. We  are tied fast to the dock but there is an occasional bump. I got up and checked our lines and all is well. 

With this heavy wind and rain I think we will stay put today. We can do some house keeping here. Maybe some fancy cooking tonight by the executive chef. 



 

Breakfast was granola and milk and yogurt and tea. 



 

This morning several boats came up the canal towards Edinburgh. A couple stopped here to fix their breakfast or go into Linlithgow. We had fun chatting with the other boaters. One lady from Canada had worked at the Cheyenne VA. 

 



As one might expect, the morning weather looked great with clear skies. The forecast is for rain and wind this afternoon. 



I made a Mac and Cheese for our lunch with pork, bacon and veggies. Not to bad at all. 

We did some tidying up of Lyra and took our rubbish to the bins.

 

 

It is now 1230 and the skies are starting to cloud over and the temperature has dropped. 

Our plan is to get out early tomorrow and make it to Redding. We will want to top up our water tonight in preparation. Maintenance has been done so Lyra is ready. 



Tomorrow we will need to call Marine Movement and arrange for the return passage on the Falkirk Wheel. 

The water fill post became vacant and we repositioned to start our fill. This is the slowest running water ever. As expected, the rains of near biblical proportion started as we were filling. I did put the kettle on for some cocoa as our reward for battling the elements. 

The bands of heavy rain come and go with smatterings of blue skies and gusty winds. 



While the day has been quiet, we did get some cleaning done and a load of laundry. 



Tomorrows plan is to moor at Redding for a one last time TESCO stop. Lynn needs more chocolate :) 



PORT BUCHAN TO LINLITHGOW

 Port Buchan to Linlithgow




 

Up early and readied the Lyra for the days sailing. We topped up the water and shoved off. 

 

 



This is probably one of my favorite stretched of the Union Canal. You pass through farm land with cows, sheep and horses. Then there are the sections of dark forest. One might expect Robin of Lockslay or maybe Winnie the Pooh and others in the 100 Acre Wood, or maybe the Knights that say Ni. 



 

 

We did see a couple Blue Tits and a hen pheasant today. The Blue Tit flits about so very hard to capture as they flit about so much. 

 

We passed just a couple boats and a kayaker. 

 



After cruising for about 3 hours we reached the Linlithgow moorings where we found them occupied. We tried to moor on the bank but found it less than suitable. It was suggested we travel further on past the next bridge where there were some nice moorings. Well it was two bridges and yes nice moorings. This mooring is a longer walk but easy walk into Linlithgow.  9187 steps and 15 flights of stairs. 

Before walking into Linlithgow I did our daily maintenance. The tiller and throttle felt a little off to me before we moored. Sure enough we had debris in the weed hatch and wrapped around the prop shaft. I found a pair of black tights/stockings around the prop shaft. Luckily the came out fairly easy. This is why one should be up to date on their tetanus.   

 

 

                          The quaint streets of Linlithgow.  

 

Walking into Linlithgow we had lunch at the 4 Marys. Fish and chips was the meal of the day. The fish was great and the chips were the best we have had on this trip. 

The 4 Marys is a warm and inviting pub where it is easy to strike up a conversation. The pub was really busy and we  learned there had been a bunch of tour busses in town today. I will say their fish and chips are excellent. The fish batter was nice and crisp, not to thick. The chips were crispy on the outside and creamy in the middle. Yummy. 

 

               We were hungry so forgot a before picture

      I thought this. was a pretty darn KEWL childs barber chair
 




After our lunch we went to Tesco and bought more than enough food to last the duration. 

 

                  A favorite biscuit/cookie from TESCO 



Back on the Lyra we decided it was a good day to shower. Good because we have a water source handy here at this mooring. The engine was fired up to get hot water. 



 

I think our dinner tonight will be snacks and such, as we are very full from lunch.  Things like veggies, cheese, fruit and crackers. All washed down with an IRN-BRU. 

RATHO TO PORT BUCHAN BASIN

 

 

Ratho to Port Buchan Basin:



 

                      I told ya there were alligators out here 

 

After a nice nights rest we had a breakfast of scones and bacon. Topped up the water tank and checked the coolant. We fired up the engine to warm up some water and heat the interior. 

At about 0830 we cast off and made passage to Port Buchan Basin. 



 

 

This stretch of canal is through forest and farmland. We also passed the alligator. We crossed a couple aqueducts and met a group of three kayakers. Being Sunday morning the traffic on the tow path seemed minimal. Such a peaceful portion of the canal. 

We arrived at Port Buchan Basin at about 1100. After mooring up we did check out the Scottish Canal Facilities. There is a toilet and shower here, might just have to take another shower. 



 

 

We then made a walk into Broxburn. Here we found several shops and picked up a bit of supplemental supples. On a good note I did find a thermal mug so tomorrow mornings boating will be nice with either tea or coffee. 



We did make a stop at The Green Tree Tavern, one of the older pubs in the area.  We thought we might find lunch there but alas no food. We did have a drink as all the patrons were glued to the TV watching a football match. 



We made our way back to Lyra and ate a sandwich, grapes, some cheese, and a cake for dessert. 



 

 

There was a gentleman at the bridge who asked us what bridge he was at. He was providing support for a canoeist who was participating in the Glasgow to Edinburgh Canoe Race. Soon a race official arrived to man a check point. 

With the added paddlers on the canal I am glad we are moored up for the night and not out there avoiding them. 

Here at the Basin there are a bunch of kids fishing. I have yet to see anyone catch a fish this whole trip. 

 

 

 



Tonight will be a potato and bacon and corn soup for the evening meal. We will be dining in the Royal Grand Hall, the evening theme will be Monty Pythons Holy Grail, to celebrate the end of my thermal mug quest. 



Today's birding report, we did see a couple Robins (not the US Robin) and a Blue Tit.