Glasgow 18th February

 Alan McQ, Davie C, Dougie, Graham, Hugh, Ian, Malcolm, Rex and Robert

It was half past ten when we started off from the Counting House due to the bus from Ayr being delayed by roadworks. Emerging into a chilly north-easterly breeze, we made our way around the northern side of George Square, followed North Hanover Street and crossed the motorway using the Sighthill Bridge (or "rusty bridge" as it is known by the locals due to its weathering steel structure). Speirs Wharf was soon reached and thereafter it was the familiar route alongside the Forth-Clyde canal past Firhill Stadium to the locks at Maryhill. Thankfully, the chill wind was behind us along this stretch and the only issues involved being constantly aware of cyclists approaching from both directions. After posing for a photo at Maryhill Locks, the group continued for a short distance alongside the canal before finding the path on the left which leads down to the Kelvin Walkway. After a toilet break at the Botanic Gardens, we kept up the brisk pace all the way along Great Western Road to Charing Cross and then to our lunch venue at Hengler's Circus in Sauchiehall Street before we made our separate ways home by train or bus having covered 9 miles or thereabouts. Despite it having been cold and overcast, the weather had remained dry for the duration of today's walk.

Glasgow Canal Walk 7 February

Allan, Davie C, Davie Mc, Ian, Jim, Jimmy, Kenny R, Kenny T, Paul, Rex, Robert, and a fleeting appearance from Peter

On a bitterly cold morning, we met at The Counting House for coffee and a thaw-out, having made our way to Glasgow on different buses and trains. There were a few suggestions about the nature of the walk but the one that won the day was the canal walk.

On leaving The Counting House, Peter bade his farewell, as he was off to explore some murals on buildings, and so he disappeared into the sunrise. The main body made its way up to the canal via North Hanover Street, the A804, and Craighall Road and started the canal section at Speirs Wharf. By this time the sky was blue, and although still cold, the walking conditions, other than a few icy patches, were excellent. Good progress was made until we reached the Maryhill Locks, where we paused for ten minutes. At the aqueduct, we turned down and followed the Kelvin Walkway, extremely busy with joggers and runners, on to Kelvingrove Park at Eldon Street. Here there was a schism with some taking the pavement down onto to Woodlands Road and down to Sauchiehall Street, whereas the majority continued into the park and climbed up to Park Terrace before following Woodlands Terrace and Woodside Terrace down to the walkway over the motorway at Charing Cross. Both factions met up at The Hengler’s Circus (Wetherspoon’s) on Sauchiehall Street.
The place was extremely busy, but we managed to find some tables reasonably close together for a couple of beers and a lunch before we made our separate ways back home after a fine day out. It was reckoned we had covered six or seven miles and had got the best of the day for our walk.

It's behind you!

Some more images from the canal walk