Off to Ratho 100626:
I was up early and put the kettle on and had a cup of tea. I then cooked up some of the bacon we bought and toasted some crumpets for breakfast.
I did run the bilge pump for a bit and will run it some more after we start the engine. Our laundry clothes are mostly dry.
We are trying to remember to record the hours we are running the engine as we were told we need to run it for about 5 hours a day to keep a charge on the batteries.
The plan for today is to cruise about 4 hours to Ratho. And spend the night there before cruising to Edinburgh tomorrow. Ratho stands on the south-east side of the plain of the River Almond and feels oddly secluded despite being only eight miles in a straight line from the center of Edinburgh and under two from Edinburgh Airport. The name is thought by some to come from the old Gaelk for fortress, and while no remains of an ancient fortress exist, it is clear that the village dates back at least a thousand years.
Ratho itself grew steadily until 1822. That was the year in which the Union Canal opened, linking Edinburgh to Falkirk and the Forth and Clyde Canal. The canal is 31½ miles long and follows the 240ft or 73.1m contour the whole way, thus avoiding the need for any locks throughout its length. It just so happens that the 240ft contour passes through Ratho between the main part of the village and St Mary's Church, and the Union Canal follows it. Two miles west of Ratho the canal crosses the River Almond via the spectacular Lin’s Mill Aqueduct.
For a golden age of 20 years until the advent of the rail service, the Union Canal was part of the quickest and most reliable route across Scotland and Ratho grew in importance with it. But when the railway linked Edinburgh and Glasgow it took a more northerly and lower route. Ratho Station is actually a separate settlement a mile to the north on the A8: and even it no longer has a station.
Our lines were cast off at 0815 and steered a course towards Edinburgh with a stop for the night at Ratho.
We sailed under many a bridge, over a couple aqueducts, around many a bend, through the forests, by the farmlands, dodging sightseeing boats, canoes, and a machine cleaning up the canals. All in all a very relaxing day.
We did make a stop about an hour out of Ratho to top up our water. We still don’t know the capacity but are frugal with our use. There we grabbed a sandwich for lunch and a bathroom break.
Today's weather was cloudy but as we got to Ratho some sun started to shine through.
At Ratho, we moored at the visitor moorings near The Bridge Inn. Thus far we are the only ones here at this time. I decided I needed some garlic for our spaghetti tonight and we wanted to visit the local church. (The Church was closed).
We did find a Premier Market and got the garlic, an Irn-Bru, and an ice cream bar. Heading back to Lyra we made a stop at The Bridge Inn for a drink, it was very quiet as we were the only ones there. Three of the boats we encountered today were from the Seagull Trust Cruises.
This is a great organization as they provide free cruises for those with special needs and the elderly with mobility issues. They have three boats at Ratho: St John Edinburgh, St John Crusader II, and Mackay Seagull. All are fully accessible with lifts to accommodate those with mobility problems or in wheelchairs. Each has a wheelchair friendly toilet and a galley. Tea, coffee and biscuits are provided.
After having a drink at The Bridge Inn we walked to their base hoping to provide them with some support. Sadly they were closed, but might stop on the way back.
Back on the Lyra, I made a Branston Pickle sandwich while Lynn did laundry. Soon I will start the pasta, but first BOAT CHORES.
On the way here Lynn missed the alligator so maybe on the return.
Quiet hours on the canal are from 0800 to 2000hrs and there is no cruising after dark. Our strategy has been to start early and get to our destination early to get a good mooring, thus far this has worked.
One item I wish had brought was a thermal coffee cup. The cups provided are nice but do not hold in the heat. Might have to find one in Edinburgh tomorrow.
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