The Falkirk Wheel

Well, here's my first attempt at a blog!

Yesterday, Susanneke and I had to deliver No 1 son, Alastair, to Glasgow Airport so that he could catch his "usual" Emirates flight to Dubai, then on to Mumbai on his way to Pune in India, where he is visiting Link Overseas volunteers for the last time in his position as Project Coordinator.

On the way, Alastair caught a glimpse of the Falkirk Wheel from the car, and, as the weather was being kind, Susanneke and I decided to stop and visit it on our way back. Alastair was safely deposited at the airport ( and has been in touch to say he arrived safely!) and we set off for the Wheel.

Susanneke and I visited the Wheel last when it was still under construction, although nearly complete. We were part of a group organized by the indefatigable Ann Street and given a guided tour of the project. We can offer no explanation for the fact that we had never been back, but were now resolved to put things right.

Deciding to do the thing properly, we booked places on the boat trip, and whiled away the waiting time checking boat hire possibilities from Capercaillie Cruisers. We have never navigated the Lowland Canals and think we would like correct this next year.

The boat trip was fun, if all too brief. The craft was rather utilitarian looking, a floating bus, really, with plenty of seats - nearly all of which were filled. We were cast off and headed the short distance to the waiting gondola. Our cheerful guide displayed her multitasking skills by swiftly securing the boat to the gondola's bollards. The gondola was quickly made water tight and released from the mechanism locking it in place, and the Wheel rotated at stately speed to take us up the 25 metre ascent. Views of the Forth valley opened up as we climbed, and after four minutes, the gondola was secure at the upper docking position at the end of the access aqueduct. We then proceeded slowly through Rough Castle Tunnel almost to the foot of the staircase locks that provide the final rise to the Union Canal. The boat winded in the basin there, and we returned, via tunnel and wheel to our starting point. The whole experience was hugely impressive and is highly recommended. The boating bug hit me hard, and I can't wait to be back on the canals with Jemima D!

A really good experience was finished off nicely by a good lunch at the superbly well-run Wheelhouse Restaurant A very good day, doing something unique, and providing me with a lot of impetus to get back to one of my spiritual homes - the canal network.

Home tired and happy, with lots of things to read about boat hire and the Wheel!