"Hi Joe it's Bruce listen I'm a bit bored fancy a quick stroll along the River Kelvin then cut back along the Forth & Clyde Canal"?.....
"Sounds great I'll meet you on the Bridge at the Kelvin Hall".
OK see you there.
After what seemed like an eternity Bruce checks his phone
"the white cliffs of dover" you'll never get here I'm heading off on my own once I've checked the weather with Sean
"Glorious that is the only word to use to describe today's weather
clear skies & temperatures above average for the time of year".
Route
The Kelvin is bridged at several points throughout Glasgow.
Most notable is the Great Western Bridge on Great Western Road in the city's
West End. Below this bridge is an underground station that bears the name
Kelvinbridge, a name commonly attached to the area. Other bridges include
Partick Bridge on Dumbarton Road, the bridge at Queen Margaret Drive and a
number in the grounds of Kelvingrove Park. Also notable is the Kelvin Aqueduct which carries the Forth
and Clyde Canal over the river. It was Britain's largest when it was opened.
The river is used as an overflow for the canal.
The Forth and Clyde Canal opened in 1790,
crossing central Scotland; it provided a route for the seagoing vessels of the
day between the Firth of Forth and the Firth of Clyde at the narrowest part of
the Scottish Lowlands. It is 35 miles (56 km) long and it runs from the River
Forth near Grangemouth to the River Clyde at Bowling, and had an important
basin at Port Dundas in Glasgow.
Successful in its
day, it suffered as the seagoing vessels were built larger and could no longer
pass through. The railway age further impaired the success of the canal, and in
the 1930s decline had ended in dormancy.
In 1963 the canal was closed rather than construct a
motorway crossing, and so it became disused and semi-derelict. Canal locks in
the Falkirk area on the Union Canal near the connection to the Forth and Clyde
canal had been filled in and built over in the 1930s.
As part of the
millennium celebrations in 2000, National Lottery funds were used to regenerate
both canals. A boatlifting device, the Falkirk Wheel, was built to connect the
two canals and once more allow boats to travel from the Clyde or Glasgow to
Edinburgh, with a new canal connection to the River Carron and hence the River
Forth. The Falkirk Wheel opened on 27 May 2002 and is now a tourist attraction.
The Port Dundas branch has been re-connected to Pinkston
Basin, which once formed the terminus of the Monkland Canal, by the
construction of 330 yards (300 m) of new canal and two locks. The project cost
£5.6 million, and the first lock and intermediate basin were opened on 29
September 2006. Opening of the second lock was delayed by a dispute over land
ownership.
June, Dougie, Sasha & Tommy head out by Aberfoyle for a two loch stroll. Here's Sean with the weather view
"Well Las Ramblas it's going to be a fine day with clear skies
just right for a saunter around the Lochs".
Route
Between the outskirts of Aberfoyle
and the foothills of Loch Lomond lies the Great Forest of Loch Ard. The gently
corrugated land in the south leading up to the mountainous terrain in the
north, together with the sheer scale of the landscape, hides a treasure chest
of surprise
Throughout this forest are many
lochs and lochans - from the mighty Loch Chon and Loch Ard, to picturesque
Lochan a' Ghleannain and tiny Clashmore Loch. Two important rivers - Duchray
Water and the Kelty Water - rise here, tumbling down through the forest to join
the river Forth.
Las Ramblas Stone Skimming Division make the Annual Pilgrimage to the World Stone Skimming Championships on Easdale Island
Unfortunately Harry Nilson was unable to make the journey
due to excessive Alcohol the night before
Linda,Neil,Sam,Alfie,Kay,Kevin,Jill,Marion & Bruce head over the Atlantic Ocean to Trish & Steve's for some stone based shenanigans. Over to Sean with a window on the weather
"Well Las Ramblas light winds should make for calm waters
a back wall throw may be within reach but wear a fleece".
Easdale is the smallest permanently inhabited island of the Inner Hebrides. It was once the centre of a thriving Scottish slate mining industry, and one of the disused quarries forms a perfect arena for the World Stone Skimming Championships.
The championships are held every year on the last Sunday in September. Anyone of any age and any level of skill can enter. Each competitor is allowed 3 skims using specially selected Easdale slate skimming stones.
For a skim to qualify the stone must bounce at least three times - it is then judged on the distance achieved before it sinks.
Looking over the old Pier to Easdale
Ferry leaving Ellenabeich
Let the Competition Begin with the Absurdist Pipe Band
Richard Hawley had arranged to meet us but Lisa pointed him in the the wrong direction we could hear them on a distant peak
Gillian,Alison,Bruce,Marion,June,Dougie,Johnnie
& eventually Neil,Sam & Alfie
take the well worn path to one of Scotland's Iconic Hills Sean how's the weather looking
"Weather wise it's looking good for today however if your
standing about in the car park have a hot drink handy"
The start is a small car park on the A821. After parking
cross the road and follow the well-engineered path as it climbs initially
through forest. The going in places is quite steep,eventually the path leaves
the trees and you get your first clear view of the hill. With the end of the trees the path changes in character and
includes a section of steeper ascent through a rocky cleft before the gradient
eases again once the more open hillside is reached. From here a great sweep
takes you to the summit area from where the magnificent panorama is based on
the foreground view Loch Katrine, which can seen almost in its entirety. The
backdrop is made up of many mountains, including a good number of Corbetts and
Munros, in a great arc from the south to the northwest.
After enjoying the view the best way down is to retrace your
steps.
Route
Heading through the Woods
Alison hoping it's not much further to the Top
Looking down on Loch Achray
Alfie claims the summit for Las Ramblas
Loch Katrine
Discussions begin as to who has brought the best snack's
Dougie & June hold a summit meeting
Ben A'an from Loch Katrine
Time to head back down for a Pint & perhaps a Sticky Toffee Pudding or two in
