After a long day’s drive, from the Lake District to Bournemouth to Pyrford in 9 hours, we are back onboard T42. Sadly we have lost our travelling companions, Leon and Heather, who will spend a few days south before heading to London and then home. It was a lonely drive back to the marina without them, but our trusty and not so new now VW Caddy has performed very well. Even with the 4 of us and all our luggage it was able to cruise at 70mph with the occasional overtake.

Our evening patrol around the marina revealed a sorry sight on the slipway. I’ll find out what happened tomorrow but it’s a good thing we didn’t book the slipway as originally intended. We will do some “slow boating”, as described by Leon, up to Guildford to catch up with Penny, and relax ! 

Our final stop for the day was a visit to Hill End, where Beatrix Potter wrote a number of books. We had planned an hour visit but took 5 ! We had to queue first to get a parking spot, half an hour, then apply to visit the house, a wait of 2 hours. Finally the return trip of some 8 miles took over an hour because of traffic. It’s just too crowded ! But it was well worth it to see all those places I’d been read to as a child by mum and dad.

Mr McGregors vegetable patch,but no carrots ! Has Peter Rabbit eaten them all 

The letter box used by Peter Rabbit

Her desk with a draft copy of Squirel Nutkin

Our first stop for today was the local motor museum. An extensive collection of cars, bikes and some record breaking Bluebirds driven by Malcolm and Donald Campbell.

A TVR Speed 12, another car I’d never seen before ! 

Our accomodation near Windermere, a warren of rooms and lounges. It also has spectacular gardens to Lake Windermeres edge.

Yesterday we had an easy day’s drive to the Lake District via the industrial revolution woollen mill site at New Lanark. It’s an amazing showcase of machinery and how social reform started with reduced hours and an age limit on employment, above 10 years ! 

Yesterday we made our way to Edinburgh via St Andrews. This allowed Leon, a golf tragic, to visit the old course and pay homage. Hazel and I wandered around the town admiring the many stone college buildings, like a smaller Oxford without the bikes. After trying to settle in our hotel here, where the rooms are so hot, why don’t they open windows ? We had a tasty dinner served in house. Today was the turn of the “Majestic” hop on hop off tour bus. First stop the botanic gardens. The pictures tell a story, a great alpine house / rock garden, glasshouses and rhodo’s / azalea’s.

The crevice garden has given me a few ideas for our back garden…..

And a fine Scottish tail, sadly not a red one.

Another driving day tomorrow, back into England and the Lake District on a bank holiday weekend, aaar ! 

Summer has set in, for 1 day at least, 28 degrees and sunburn. Thick fog at Fort Augustus this morning delayed our departure. Bu 9.30 it had mostly burnt off for the 4 hour run along Loch Ness. Then onto our final lock and swing bridge before overnighting at Caley Cruisers. We will drive to Edinburgh tomorrow, hopefully via St Andrews. It’s been great taking Highland Glen 3 on our adventures, and what’s more we are still all talking ! A big vote of thanks to “my” crew of 3…….the skipper Tasotter.

What a difference a day makes, the sun is out today and it’s getting warm. As it was quiet at the first locking down we joined 2 other vessels at 8.30am, and were moored up at the bottom lock by 10.30. Hazel and I have had a lovely lazy day, joining Heather and Leon for lunch at a pub mid flight. A jug of Pimms seemed to suit the day. A few pics…

A few vessels seen on the Caledonian canal.

Lord of the Glen, we met at the start of a narrow channel so promptly backed up to let him through.

Scottish Highlander, a very expensive hotel boat catering to a few wealthy Americans.

Highland Glen 3, the preferred mode of transport for Tasmanians in Scotland, so long as they like slow boating ! 

Finally filling one of the 5 locks at Fort Augustus, by sluices and over the top of the lock .
Tomorrow we will descend the flight, ready for an early departure to Inverness via Loch Ness. The weather continues…….to be wet ! It’s supposed to improve on Saturday, the day we return our cruiser.

Our adventures continued yesterday when Heather and Leon decided to walk into town and pick up some milk. Setting off at 8pm when the rain stopped they finally made it back by 10pm ! Leon then set off to the onshore showers, another 10 minute walk. Coming back he realised he’d forgotten his towel, so back again. We’d all given up and gone to bed ages ago…..

The light was beautiful on Ben Nevis late last night, but covered in cloud this morning. We made our way back up Loch Lochy but the lock at the end was closed for lunch. After re opening some yachts came down and just as we were ready to move a large commercial vessel appeared. These take priority so another 40 minute wait. Finally on our way we’ve moored at Loch Oich, near a deserted castle and associated hotel /pub. The Laggan Avenue was spectacular with trees down to the waters edge. It must be beautiful in autumnal colours.