Day 52 (21.2 miles)

Linlithgow to Kilsyth
– The Falkirk Wheel

Today was probably the easiest day of the whole escapade (Well, maybe except for Day9 & Day22) – I’d be walking along canal towpaths all day.

The morning consisted of following the Union canal, not forgetting the spooky, wet 630m tunnel (these things freak me out a little) into Falkirk and to its end at the Falkirk Wheel.

I kinda had a feeling today would be a cinch, so was looking for the opportunity to do some washing so I googled laundrettes in Falkirk and found one not too far from my trail. I phoned ahead to make sure it wasn’t some kind of dry cleaning emporium (it wasn’t, phew). So with about 8 miles walked I was there, I stripped down (not all the way) and half filled a machine.

On a walk like this, you do start to really appreciate the simpler things in life like: a pint of ale, fresh clean dry clothes, a bench to sit on…

With an hour passing and freshly laundered clothes packed away, I set off again in search of the ‘highlight of the day’ – the Falkirk Wheel – a massive contraption that lowers narrowboats 25 metres from the ‘Union canal’ to the ‘Forth & Clyde canal’.

Once there, I thought I’d stop and stare for a while. Now, I didn’t intend on spending over an hour looking up at this thing. But, it seemed to take forever to get everything in the right places. Then when it’s moving, it’s not exactly the adrenaline fuelled experience of, say, the Pirate Ship @ Alton Towers. It moves very slowly, but impressive none the less.

So, now with over 2 hours ‘killed’ and 25m lower it was time to follow the Forth & Clyde canal to Kilsyth (probably about 10 miles).

The Forth & Clyde is far more impressive than the Union. It’s got some locks, some weird bridges, swans nesting, people fishing and it’s about 4 times wider in places…

Have I made following 2 canals sound interesting?

Some stats:
Mileage count: 920.0
Pint count: 191 (no decent beer in Kilsyth)
economy: 38.5mpg
Malt Whisky count: 11