Looking back towards the upper reaches of the Firth of Forth and looking west towards the Forth Road and Railway Bridges - gateway to the North Sea

Motoring along the Forth Clyde Canal and the Falkirk Wheel

The Forth Clyde lock operators remove a shopping trolley which I had inadvertently 'parked' over.

Westward bound

Just incase you'd thought I'd done a Donald Crowhurst - I'm still hard at it trying to get home. Sorry I haven't uploaded anything over the last week or so - just haven't been in places with Wi-Fi until now. I got through the Forth Clyde Canal without a problem and I'm now at Port Edgar next to the Forth Road Bridge. British Waterways Scotland let me through free of charge and Port Edgar Marina is waiving all berthing fees. Thank you so much for that. Had to go through 39 locks in two days. The assistants on the canal were extremely helpful and friendly. Great bunch of lads. The canal itself was much more beautiful than I'd been given to expect, particularly the section between Clydebank and Falkirk. The weather for once looks like it's going to be in my favour over the next few days so I'm hoping to get back to Blyth sooner than I expected - perhaps before the weekend. Next stop Dunbar or Eyemouth if the going is good. Got the mast put back on today. Ready to hoist my sails again.

The Bowling Basin at the start of the Forth Clyde Canal

The steamer Waverley leaving Largs as I head north towards the Clyde