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There was a lot of heavy rain
overnight but it had stopped by morning. Things were still pretty
soggy as I packed up camp and a short burst of rain just before I
rolled the tent up didn’t help. It was very overcast when I set off
but the good thing was a nice tail wind. I rode east for a few miles
then passed under the M80 road. |
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Well
tended canal towpath
near Bonnybridge |
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Then I was soon on the stretch of
canal that I’d joined on my last ride here in June. Then I’d made a
detour to visit the Andy Scott sculpture ‘Aria’, which was good, but
I then had to ride through Cumbernauld, which was bad. I then came
to canal locks that started to descend so presumably I’d been at the
highest point. The descent took me to Bonnybridge then on to the
amazing flower and plant border by the canal I’d seen on my last
visit. |
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I then came to the Falkirk Wheel where
the Union canal joins the Forth & Clyde. There were many visitors
returning across the canal to the car park on the north side. I
continued into Falkirk and stopped briefly across from the Union
Inn. |
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As I continued along the final few
miles to Grangemouth the rain returned, this time very heavy. I
managed to reach a bridge for shelter as the worst hit. Then it was
on to the ‘The Kelpies’ art structure of two massive horses heads.
They commemorate the horses that were used to haul the barges along
the canal. |
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The Kelpies by Andy Scott |
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The Kelpies by Andy Scott |
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The Kelpies by Andy Scott |
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When war broke out in 1939 Grangemouth
airfield was under control of No13 Group RAF Fighter Command. In
1940 No 58 Operational Training Unit was established to train pilots
in Spitfires & Hurricanes. Between 1940 & 1944, 71 pilots & aircrew
were killed in training accidents. The airfield closed in 1955 &
this Mk1 Spitfire marks it's location. |
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I continued along a short stretch of
canal to the final lock gate to the sea, thereby completing my
traverse of the Forth and Clyde canal. I continued through
Grangemouth where I stopped at Asda for a snack of some bread rolls. |
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The New
Forth Road bridge |
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Crossing
the Forth Bridge |
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Further on the road was closed so I
had to take a diversion to reach Bo’ness. After a steep climb I
followed the A904 on to Queensferry. I met the A90 here and followed
the east side cycle track over the Forth Road Bridge. I stopped to
take a photo and soon a couple of cyclists approached to say hello. |
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Cyclists
on the Forth Bridge |
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They were cycling from Land’s End to
John o Groats. One knew Preston as he used to teach at Runshaw
College Leyland. They continued and I followed shortly afterwards. I
rode through Inverkeithing and on to Dalgety Bay where I stopped to
buy bottled water. I rejoined the cycle route which I followed to
Aberdour. I visited the small church of St Fillan’s. It was
interesting going inside as I had to descend steps to reach the
floor level. I continued to Silversands Bay and along the track
between the coast and railway. Near the track underpass I set up
camp at the same spot as the last time I was here. |
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Return to
Whittle Wanderer
