Turret

Back blip

Another one from the "it seemed a good idea at the time" collection.

A sunny, although cold, day gave me the notion to walk that part of the John Muir Way from Polmont to Falkirk. However, it was early afternoon before I drove to Camelon and caught the train over to Polmont. My walk therefore started as the station clock showed 3.00pm.

The John Muir Way westwards from Polmont follows the Union Canal towpath for about 3km before a right turn takes one along other footpaths, across a road and then into Callendar Wood. My plan was to finish the walk there - the photo is a picture of Callendar House - and then catch a bus back to Camelon, where my car was parked.

However, I foolishly decided to continue on towards the Falkirk Wheel (not a direct route when following the John Muir Way) and reached there in near darkness at about 5.45pm, having walked - due to various exploratory diversions - over 14km. (For what it's worth, the official route lists this as an 11km walk.)

From there I took a bus back into Falkirk and another back to Camelon. I could have walked to the car from the Wheel in 15-20 minutes, but I had done enough walking for one day. That'll teach me!