Re-Union
For details on Re-Union, go to www.re-union.org.uk

 
Never send a colour-blind person to buy paint!

I want to make it clear, that although I have been involved in the procurement of this narrowboat, "Smart Moni" for the organisation known as Re-Union, I was emphatically not involved in the choice of colour. You may be surprised to hear that this was no job lot of surplus paint from B&Q, but was actually specially mixed, to order, to Jay's specification. It was only after the paint had started to be applied that Jay revealed that he is, in fact, colour blind. Hands up anyone who is surprised.
The Falkirk Wheel - in the rain

"Smart Moni" took its first trip to the Falkirk wheel with yours truly at the helm. The weather was not at its best and brightest, and was pouring down on arrival. This was taken in late September, with heavy rain, and it was freezing cold to boot. Must be Scotland. However, I commend the Falkirk wheel to you, and strongly suggest that if you haven't seen it yet, make sure you do as soon as you can. It's well worth the trip.
The weather in Scotland #1

One of the features about boating in Scotland, and indeed connected with any outdoor activity there, is that if you don't like the weather, don't worry, it will change soon. These two photographs illustrate the point. Taken no more than 5 minutes apart, the rain was falling so heavily at one point, that I had to stop on the Almond aqueduct (see below) to have a cup of tea, and to take shelter.
The weather in Scotland #2

Only 5 minutes later, the skies cleared, the sun shone, and it became marginally less Baltic. This is the beauty of boating of course, and it's not the first time that I've had to take shelter when a shower has come upon me unexpectedly. This is a lovely spot, the aqueduct is in the middle of nowhere, and when the sun shines, there are few places more beautiful than Scotland.
The Almond aqueduct.

A very impressive sight, this aqueduct carries the Union canal over the River Almond, just outside Broxburn, about 8 and a half miles West of Edinburgh. Take a bike, or good shoes, park at Ratho near the Bridge Inn, and walk or cycle west for a little while. Worth the trip. Or take a boat. Not so easy if you don't have one about your person though.

Back to Home Page