Well today we have gone as far as possible in our hire boat, to the top of Neptunes staircase. Here there are 8 staircase locks leading down to the sea. Our scenery was varied today, from the confined intimate Laggan Avenue, where trees reached down to canals edge. To Loch Lochy with its spectacular vista up the Great Glen to Ben Nevis.  By the time we got to the end the skies were threatening again, and now it’s pouring. At least we got down to the cafe hallway down the flight to have a spot of lunch, quickly followed by coffee and cake as the weather really set in.

Looking down the Great Glen of Loch Lochy

Our fellow travellers in Highland Glen 1, who we have been sharing locks with.

Bottom lock, Neptunes staircase.

Now to mention toilets, all boaters need to know these vital facts…….Our boat is equipped with 2, yep 2 ! vacumn type pump outs. T42 has a single cassette or Elsan type, but I won’t get bogged down in all the details. Highland Glen relies on a prescribed schedule of 8 firm strokes on a double acting lever followed by a rest of 5 seconds, then a second stint of 6 strokes on the lever. The correct number of strokes are vital, as is the toilet tissue type. On handover we were warned about excessive toilet tissue use…….they ensured this by supplying the flimsiest tissue in the world. It’s supposed to be 2 ply but self disintegrates upon unravelling thus ensuring no more than 3 squares are used at a time ! Even so we have been supplied with only 1 roll per couple, thus ensuring a level of anxiety whenever using onboard facilities. After lunch today the onshore facilities were discovered…..flushing toilets and quilted toilet paper…..bliss. Some people, who will not be mentioned in dispatches, but who’s first name is a national flower of Scotland, “borrowed” a whole roll  to take back to the boat. It’s a brave person who tries that paper with our toilet system……..stay tuned for updates !