Falkirk

We are now three weeks into our road trip. Where has the time gone to Marge? Keen to be away early this morning to take advantage of a fine warm day we packed Marge up hurriedly and headed in to the Trossachs. The roads were quiet, especially around the Dukes Pass. Look Marge they've resurfaced the road for you. They could have straightened out some of these bends. Enjoy it, it's probably the last time you'll pass over hills in Scotland. At our highest point we were 240 metres above sea level, which didn't seem that high to us after the last few weeks up in the mountains As the road dropped down a 10% descent in to Aberfoyle we felt Marge breath sigh of relief. All had gone well, except one tight spot when we met a very large motorhome. Marge soon saw it off. She wasn't budging, next to her was a stone wall and a big drop. If you think this is tight thought Marge, wait until you're a few miles up the road.

Leaving Marge parked by the Scottish Wool Centre watching over the mule sheep in their pens, we walked into the tiny town. It was evident that we are now at the back of the holiday season. So quiet. Before returning to Marge and her woolly friends we stopped off at the information office to collect some literature on Edinburgh. While we ate lunch, we could see the smaller hills of the Trossachs. Smaller but beautiful. 

On our approach to Stirling, we could see the Wallace Monument to the left and Stirling castle to the right. Marge was supposed to join the M9 at this point, but sensing a photograph or two was needed headed towards the city centre. Well, done Marge, not only photographs taken, but diesel tank filled up. Not wanting to be drawn in to the world of panic buying we knew we had no choice. The queue for fuel was backing up. We have a long way to travel yet, and on the approach to Stirling had noticed garages with little fuel. Right Marge, make it last. 

Our destination today was Falkirk. We have settled Marge right next to the Falkirk Wheel, a rotating boat lift which connects the Forth and Clyde Canal with the Union Canal. Impressed Marge? The overnight parking fee here is fifteen pounds which is supposed to include all the usual services plus the use of the showers at the marina. A shortage of keys meant there were only two available and other van owners had them. Not good enough was John's reaction. After some discussion an agreement was made that as soon as one of the keys was returned in the morning it would be kept back for him. John mentioned to the staff his connection with the area and after a while his frustration calmed. We took a walk around the site, as we passed back through the shop area it was announced they now had a key especially for him! Twenty, yes twenty pounds refundable deposit paid and it was ours for our whole stay if we wanted. The words I'm half Scottish and my mother was born in a castle always work up here. The chance of a proper shower and a sink with hot water to wash our clothes was luxury. We were half way to a twin tub.

We explored the site as dusk and then night fell to take some more photographs of the many coloured lighting effects which randomly lit the structures.

Tomorrow we will cycle four miles along the towpath to see the thirty-metre-high horse head sculptures known as the Kelpies. This will be our second cycling trip since we've been away and we're really looking forward to it.