Europe 2016 Sept 10th Day 13 Edinburgh Falkirk

This morning was a late start as we were being picked up by an old school friend Morag Medwin from Don College days that Jane had not seen for 30 years and now lived in Edinburgh with her husband Malcolm who was from Victoria originally. Therefore it was a gentle start with a leisurely breakfast ( you guessed it eggs benny and porridge with fruit compote for Jane ) before being collected and off on a day trip to Falkirk. The day have turned out perfectly after a wet and windy night and was definitely shorts and T-shirt weather.
About 45 minutes later we arrived in Falkirk and walked to the engineering marvel of the Falkirk wheel. We waited to watch it in operation moving two boats from bottom to top and vica versa before setting off on our hike along the canal. This was the Union canal which traversed 33 miles to Edinburgh, one of two we were walking along today on our way 4-5 miles to the "Kelpies". These were the tow paths alongside the canal that the horses used to pull the narrowboats loaded with cargo and it was a lovely flat walk. Soon we left the Union canal and walked to the actual township of Falkirk where we crossed and joined the Forth and Clyde canal which would take us via 15 Lock's to the large metal sculptures "The Kelpies". It was a lovely walk alongside the canals looking at everything and just chatting away enjoying the time. Eventually we arrived at the Kelpies and they were so impressive. All gleaning, shiny metal and very imposing. A sculpture by Adam Scott for the Scotts in memory of the horses (Kelpies) that used to work the narrowboats up and down the canals. We stopped for lunch here and enjoyed a lovely haggis sausage roll with wedges before heading our way back to the start following the same canal back to the car ; around 9_19 mile in total and getting back around 5pm. Weather like this I could easily live in Scotland, only thing I forgot was the hat and I think I may pay for that tomorrow as looking a wee red on top. ;-)
Malcolm then drove us back to their temporary home as they had sold their previous place and had only bought a new place on Thursday, which they won't move in to until mid November. We stopped at Waitrose on the way back to buy some dinner which was amazing. Thai for two and Asian for two, all contained in sealed fancy plastic bags ready to open and microwave and serve. Nothing similar we've seen in Australia. Was good too, along with a little too much vino. A lovely day and evening spent chatting away as if the time had never passed. Thanks so much Morag and Malcolm for your hospitality and friendship, it was a memorable day, hope our paths cross again sometime soon.
Caught a cab back to the flat and it was a very quick entry into the land of nod, not sure if it was the long walk and fresh air, or the vino. Could have been a combination of both I suppose.