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.

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 ! 

A better day today weather wise, we have even had some sunshine. Loch Ness looks good, but Loich Oich this afternoon was super, so we moored for the night at the end. Fort Augustus had an amazing staircase of 5 locks, where we pulled Highland Glen thru by hand. We are about half way thru the Caledonian Canal now.

A quick stop at Heathergems in Pitlochry, prior to our Inverness departure and Caley Cruisers adventure saw more rain falling. Before taking control of Highland Glen3 there was a very comprehensive handover and steering tuition, with the newbie skipper scoring 9 out of 10 our little convoy headed out thru the first locks and out onto Loch Ness. The weather had deteriorated and with mist descending we headed for 2 hours to Urquart Bay,next to the castle. A magnificent meal was prepared by Executive Chef Hazel and the weather improved dramatically. Blue skies here we come !

6 hour drive from Great Malvern to Pitlochry in Scotland, plus 2 extra hours of roadworks and 1 of breaks = 9 hours travelling = shattered. Could only do it because of Peters brekky, the food of champions, it’s all in the presentation. Thanks Peter and Anne, till next time.

The 2 hour factory tour differed significantly from our last visit in that the 3 wheeler was not then in production. I met Lee who built our car, and who was genuinely interested in how it was all going. As usual there was a lot to see, and dream about !

The EV3…. An electric 3 wheeler.

A rather nice Aero8 awaiting delivery….

We finished the day off with lunch and a tour around a local garden. We’ve enjoyed the lack of rain today. Tomorrow will be a long day’s drive to Scotland, so probably no blog.