I thought the giant bed was really comfie. Ian thought it a bit soft. There’s no fridge in the rooms in The Bates Motel though, so Ian slept soundly. For breakfast Dandruff Dave (still there!) had allowed us to take Misty to the bar if you recall. He waved us through reception to a nice little table in the corner, all set and ready for us. I decided on boiled eggs while Ian went for the full Scottish, which includes black pudding And haggis. The waitress was very pleasant and the food really good.
As we all know, Falkirk is famous for two things, The Falkirk Wheel and Will Vaulkes. Only kidding. The Kelpies are a third thing the town is known worldwide for. Today, we would be visiting both. I had booked a boat trip on the wheel for 11.20, and as it’s only a 15 minute drive, we would easily make it. I had read that dogs are allowed, and I had also read that dogs are not allowed. Misty was coming anyway and we would leave her in the car if she’s barred.
We arrived at the wheel in plenty of time and it turned out Misty was allowed on the boat. We watched a canal boat get hoisted up to the top canal, then had a go ourselves in the HMS Archimedes.
Its amazing that you can get from the canal at the bottom to the canal at the top in a boat!
After the wheel ride we decided to take the ‘short 15min walk’ to a fort on the Antonine wall. First attempt we found the path incredibly muddy so went back for walking boots. Second attempt we managed to go the wrong way and, despite squeezing through a fence, had to retrace our steps. Third attempt we managed to find the wall and fort. Yay! Only took us and hour.
There wasn’t a lot to see here, but this is how it would have looked.
Back at the visitor centre we decided on a wood fired pizza. While waiting for it Ian got talking to two lesbians from Ayr who had walked from the kelpies. One of them visits Keighley a lot to see her disabled aunt in a home.
After this it was time to head back to The Bates Motel for a cup of tea.
I called to tell Dandruff Dave that we wanted to eat in the bar, but he wasn’t there! It was a woman who was a bit stroppy telling me that the bar was the only place we could eat. I didn’t trust her.
Off out again then, this time to get up close and personal with the kelpies, a mere 10 min (20 min) walk. They really are a spectacular piece of artwork. Any chance anyone gets they should visit.
We also followed the Charlotte Dundas trail down the canal to a sea lock. We were going to follow the path further but came upon a possible drug deal in a dark alley so turned back.
After a bath it was time for tea, in the bar. Luckily Mrs Stroppy had been replaced by Mrs Nice who got us settled and ordered in no time. It wasn’t ever so busy though.
Food was pretty nice again, and after all we were fattening ourselves up for the travails ahead. Who knows when we’ll eat again!
There ends the first, planned (by me) part of our holiday. Tomorrow we move on to the bit planned by Ian, the camper van part, where we will be going off grid. Positively loosey goosey in fact! No planning at all is a good summary of this part. I don’t know if there will be internet for this blog. All I can say is that on weds 20th October we will be tipping up in Edinburgh to begin the third, planned (by Vicky) part of our holiday. See you there!
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