Boating again on GAMEBIRD

[haggis]

We are having a few days on our wee Sea Otter on the Lowland canals. We are making our way - slowly - to Winchburgh where we will join a flotilla and make our way to Linlithgow where we will celebrate 50 years since the Linlithgow Union Canal Society was formed.

Lovely to be boating again  although I am missing being out on KELPIE.

[Kingdom Isambard Brunel]

2 hours ago, haggis said:

We are having a few days on our wee Sea Otter on the Lowland canals. We are making our way - slowly - to Winchburgh where we will join a flotilla and make our way to Linlithgow where we will celebrate 50 years since the Linlithgow Union Canal Society was formed.

Lovely to be boating again  although I am missing being out on KELPIE.

Make the best of it, the Trench of Misery is closed practically all the way from the tunnel down past your marina due to low water.

The only canals in full flow appear to be the 'golly, Shroppie and its Middlewich branch. Though strangely, an Anderson hire boat passed going up the branch, how it got up the 3 is a mystery. I understood that the Anderson boats had decamped to Venetian Marina for the duration of drought.

[haggis]

We are now on our way to Linlithgow after spending time in Winchburgh basin chatting to friends we hadn't seen for a while.

A long convoy of about 20 boats. Mostly wide beams with a few narrow boats s couple of Grps and a steam launch. 

 

[adam1uk]

25 minutes ago, Kingdom Isambard Brunel said:

Make the best of it, the Trench of Misery is closed practically all the way from the tunnel down past your marina due to low water.

The only canals in full flow appear to be the 'golly, Shroppie and its Middlewich branch. Though strangely, an Anderson hire boat passed going up the branch, how it got up the 3 is a mystery. I understood that the Anderson boats had decamped to Venetian Marina for the duration of drought.

As I understand it, Andersen can use the Middlewich Locks to get to and from their base.  Maybe they can unlock Big Lock too.  Some of the Black Prince boats from Acton Bridge are currently operating out of Venitian.

Edited September 6, 2025 by adam1uk

[Hudds Lad]

 

 

Give us a wave when the camera pans  

Edited September 6, 2025 by Hudds Lad

[haggis]

Waved! We are the wee green boat behind Panacea!

[Arthur Marshall]

Give my wife's regards to Linlithgow - she was born there, though she decamped to Macclesfield at a fairly early age.

[Hudds Lad]

2 minutes ago, haggis said:

Waved! We are the wee green boat behind Panacea!

 

 missed it whilst moving a fridge. Did see you move off, wind, and return though  

[haggis]

2 hours ago, Hudds Lad said:

 

 missed it whilst moving a fridge. Did see you move off, wind, and return though  

Mooring space was tight and you couldn't get off at the back without getting wet feet. The front was a bit high for my old legs and I doubted if the dog or I would manage. We waited till we thought all the boats were in and reversed through the bridge, turned and reversed back.intp the same place.  We just completed it when two more boats arrived! 

Had a pleasant evening  chatting eating and drinking 

Edited September 6, 2025 by haggis

[haggis]

On our way to the wheel. 

Locks (7),  lift bridge (1), and the wheel all booked. Not as much fun as doing it yourself though. 

Target tonight is Auchenstarry . Just crossing the second biggest aqueduct in the UK - over the river Avon.. it's not as scary as that one in Wales as it has a towpath on both sides. 

[Hudds Lad]

14 hours ago, haggis said:

Mooring space was tight and you couldn't get off at the back without getting wet feet. The front was a bit high for my old legs and I doubted if the dog or I would manage. We waited till we thought all the boats were in and reversed through the bridge, turned and reversed back.intp the same place.  We just completed it when two more boats arrived! 

Had a pleasant evening  chatting eating and drinking 

Not to worry, a couple of ducks have your spot now  

 

What was the story behind that boat-onna-trailer thing on the slipway next to you? 

 

Looked to be a good turn out  

[haggis]

Every year there is a big event in Linlithgow - the Marches - which includes decorated floats etc. LUCS always have something imaginative and this year that was their entry . It denoted the  history of the canal. It won first prize. 

It was a good turn out and it was good to see some private boats as well as the community boats - several from Edinburgh.  Most of the private boats up here  are live aboards and don't move much.

We hardly ever use Gamebird but it is nice to be able to boat when we can't go out on KELPIE.. i.keep suggesting we sell her but Iain reckons she has too much history , holding several records.

[Alan de Enfield]

10 minutes ago, haggis said:

i.keep suggesting we sell her but Iain reckons she has too much history , holding several records.

 

There is some good money to be made selling old 'vinyl'.

[haggis]

Sea otters seem to hold their value and despite GAMEBIRD being 27 years old we would probably get back what we paid for her. 

[haggis]

Another couple of points of interest. 

The laughing greetin bridge  has a carved sad face on one side as the contractor on that side had to make a tunnel and a happy face on the other side as he had a straight run. 

The tunnel is the most amazing one I have ever seen. It is very high and carved out of rock. To me is is more amazing than Standedge 

[haggis]

That's us down the wheel. In good time for the next obstacle 

[haggis]

Haven't said anything for a few days so perhaps time for a catch up..Having to book and get times for locks and bridges is a pain but we coped 😃. 

Went to Glasgow where we found many  changes both in the canal and surroundings and we are glad we went

 Last night moored at a pub which was having a psychic night and fortunately we had  finished eating before the  bar  and kitchen closed as the sprits would not come if there was any noise. We left ! 

Today's bookings have gone well and we are now having our last night on the Forth and Clyde before going back. Up the wheel in the morning.

On our second whisky of the evening . Well it is a long time since we were here ! 

[NB Saturn]

I never had any problem with the spirits coming in a Glasgow pub 😉 

[haggis]

Ah but the pub wasn't in Glasgow ! It was the stables outside Kirkintilloch. Their sprits might be more selective  😃

[gatekrash]

14 hours ago, haggis said:

Haven't said anything for a few days so perhaps time for a catch up..Having to book and get times for locks and bridges is a pain but we coped 😃. 

Went to Glasgow where we found many  changes both in the canal and surroundings and we are glad we went

 Last night moored at a pub which was having a psychic night 

 

But surely they already knew you were coming ? 😁