Date: Sat, 26 May 2001 18:53:21 +0100
From: Ann Street 
Reply-To: Canals <canals@ukwaterways.net>
To: Canals <canals@ukwaterways.net>
Subject: Forth and Clyde, day 3

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We were wakened at 7.30 by a piper and the four of us (we were joined last
night by Iain's brother and girlfriend) surfaced for what proved to be a
very eventful day.
Problem one was  when we realised that the locking party we were in wouldn't
leave room for gamebird in the locks - a canal society had not given the
true dimensions of their boat. However we were moved to another locking
group which included the Wee Spark - a replica Clyde puffer which hade been
built in a back yard. Great boat with great crew.
We were moved up into the lock 16 basin where all the activity was to take
place and we were asked to take the ribbon (later cut by the jaws of the
fish which led the parade) across the canal. As the ribbon was large, not
quite long enough and there was  strong wind blowing this was an interesting
exercise. However we accomplished their and moored in prime position to see
all that went on in the opening ceremony. When this was finished we set off
and, flushed with the success of the ribbon manoeuvre (or maybe the
champagne, lain decided to do twirl. All went well till we got weed round
the prop and we ended up in the bushes. In front of hundreds of people too!
We had a great day, reaching Auchinstarry in early afternoon where   we
moored  for the night. Almost all of the route from Falkirk - a distance of
some 10 miles - was lined with people out to see this historic cruise.
Along the route we saw several friends and managed to speak to both Johns -
John Foster and John Howell. we look forward to seeing the piccies later.
There were TV film crews on foot and in helicopters for most of the way and
we just hope that someone has videoed it for us!
Time for the pre BBQ whisky,

More tomorrow when we head for Kirkintilloch and Glasgow.

Ann Street.



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