Scottish Friendliness and Kelpies

Day 6 Hiking, Tuesday June 7.  West Port Hotel, Linlithgow to The Coachman, Kilsyth. 

12.14 Miles.  29,203 Steps.  5 Hours. 

“One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.”  Henry Miller

Breakfast a repeat from yesterday - mashed avocado and poached egg, only it was Not very good.  Toast and avocado and tomatoes were Cold.  And there was no fresh mint.  

While departing Linlithgow and getting a bit confused about directions, a lady walking her dog, began to describe which way to go.  In the end Laura and Bonny accompanied me for almost a mile.  She was so talkative and of course I couldn’t shut my mouth up.  Very pleasant.  As soon as the pair parted ways I regretted not taking their photo as it was so nice. 

Bath towels are not equal in size or quality.  Doesn’t depend on how fancy the location, just variations.  Some barely make it around me, and some, like in the photo were enough for 3 of me.  Luxury, but what a waste of resources to dry that blanket.  

Baa baa baa

 

Avon Aquaduct. A bit unnerving to walk the cobbled stone path with the canal on the left and the sheer drop off to the right.  

Met this woman biking east to Linlithgow.  She had walked the West Highland Way with friends in April.  We chatted a bit and my questions about Falkirk and the Kelpies were answered.  Ways were parted. 

First narrow boat on the canal!

Pair of West Highland White Terriers out enjoying the canal path. 

School for kayakers

The Swan Family.  Mr, Mrs, and 4 kiddos

Union Canal.  Runs between Edinburgh and Falkirk

Elaine:  first met up with Elaine around 9:30 crossing the Avon Aquaduct.  Talked about my walk and where I was headed today, and how I hoped to see the Kelpies.  She caught up with me shortly before Falkirk, about 11:30/12:00  Her reason for biking to Linlithgow was a weekly Italian lesson.  After spending 6 months in Milan she wanted to continue her language studies.  Elaine hopped off her bike and walked with me/directed me into Falkirk off the path.  Made a point of showing me the High Street train station where my pre-arranged taxi would collect me at 3:30. 

Elaine walked me down from the station and into Falkirk.  Lead me right to her home.  Offered to let me leave my backpack (glad I didn’t as later I couldn’t find her house).  Met her husband Alan.  She drove me (and my pack) the two miles out of town to the Kelpies, with directions of how to get back to city center.   What an amazing Scottish woman and another trail angel. 

Elaine’s semi detached home. 

Elaine’s garden entry.  I WANT a glassed in ‘conservatory’ like this.  A year around room to the outdoors. 

Kelpies:  100 feet tall. Sculptor Andy Scott.  Largest equine sculptures in the world.  Monument to horse powered heritage in Scotland.  “Mythological transferring beasts possessing strength and endurance of 10 normal horses. Represent lineage of heavy horses of Scotland’s industry.  Pulling wagons, ploughing, barges and coal ships.”  

A sweet Indian couple were posing between the Kelpies and asked me to take their photo.  Agreed if they would take mine.  After mine was taken, the lady wanted to use my poles for another photo.  

My POLES!

Returning to center of Falkirk proved a bit challenging.  

Given directions to catch a local bus, about a 20 minute walk from the Kelpies, set off.  Arrived and when a bus pulled up, I jumped on.  I COULD NOT understand what the driver said…those Scottish accents.   We spoke, sort of, back and forth, while a bus full of mostly seniors stared at me.  Finally realized he was saying I was on the wrong side of the street.  Cross busy road and wait for next bus.  Bus pulled up.  I didn’t have the fare easily available.  Driver waved me on anyway.  While seated I did get the exact amount and she seemed surprised when I paid on departing.  Guess she was used to people trying to get away with a free ride/free lunch.  

Got off at the last stop - town center.  Asked for the train station and was pointed towards one a couple blocks straight ahead.  Great!  I might get something to eat while waiting.  Walked to station and realized it was the WRONG one.  Quickly turned around and began a frantic search for the correct station.  No one seemed to have heard of the tiny one needed. I could sense the direction, but as time was getting tight, didn’t want to wander too far afield.  

Stopped a gentleman on a corner and he tried to look on his phone, but was from Glasgow and didn’t know the area.  Saw a police station ahead and went there.  No one on duty, but two People of questionable honesty were hanging about. I asked and the lady actually was able to steer this American in the general direction.  

Good thing I hadn’t left my pack at Elaine’s home because even though I passed it climbing up the hill, it looked different, and possibly wasn’t even hers.  

Arranged taxi arrived at 3:30.  The driver also hadn’t know about this funny odd tiny bit of railroad.  John drive me to my home for two nights in Kilsyth.  No WiFi again in my room.  Have to sit out on the stair landing to FaceTime Gary and post the blog.  Guess I have stayed in all sorts of situations before. 

John will come in the morning and deliver this body back to Falkirk - so I can walk the distance back to where my stuff will be left for the day.  As the Appalachian thru hikers call it, it will be a ‘slack pack day’.

Pack waiting at High Street train station for its taxi ride to Kilsyth.  

These walls and door frames of flowers seem to be popular all over Scotland.  Obviously fake.  But they are impressive. 

VW Bus Gary!

Haddock.  Okay.  I had the fish fry and the fish and fry and remain in Scotland.  If I get it again - no one to blame but myself.  What a greasy meal.  Can’t believe how everyone seems to think this is the ‘cat’s pajamas’.  

“Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt.”  John Muir