Monday 11th April 2016 – 853.65 miles
A really good day today.
We left the caravan park around 7am and made our way once more to the Clyde Walkway. Not as easy as it sounds though.
Roadworks on the M74/A725 junction means temporary changes to the route of the Clyde Walkway and it must be said that this section is the most well signed that we’ve seen!
Easy to follow if a little disconcerting walking around well-defined pedestrian walkways with traffic all around us. Eventually arrived back where the Clyde Walkway reaches Bothwell Bridge.
There we saw the memorial erected in 1903 by public subscription in honour of the Covanenters who fought and died at the Battle of Bothwell Bridge on 22 June 1679 in defence of civil and religious liberty.
The story of the Covanenters is an important part of Scotland’s history. If you are interested you can read more at Scottish Covenanter Memorials Association webpage – http://www.covenanter.org.uk
We crossed the road and then down to the river for a short distance and then back up to the road. There followed a very noisy walk along a cycle path with a busy road to our left and a brick wall to our right! Somehow we missed the path that would have taken us back to the Clyde so we continued along cycle track 75 through an industrial estate, across a park, past a housing estate then we found ourselves at the David Livingston Centre.
It is the birthplace of David Livingstone, a Scottish Congregationalist pioneer medical missionary with the London Missionary Society and an explorer in Africa. His now famous meeting with H. M. Stanley in 1871 gave rise to the popular quotation “Dr. Livingstone, I presume?”
We met one of the senior assistants Phyllis and, although the centre didn’t open until 11am she offered to make us a hot drink and show us around the museum. Unfortunately we didn’t have the time so sadly had to decline. This is one place we will return to when we do this journey in our car. Thanks Phyllis, we hope to see you again.
The Clyde beckoned, so we crossed over a footbridge then onto the Clyde Walkway once more. It was here we met Wullie Bell out walking his dog Sparky and his mate’s dog Tino. He walks in the area a great deal and is a mine of information about the Clyde Walkway. He was able to advise that we take a higher pathway at one point as the lower one was in a dangerous condition after the winter floods.
He showed us a mark carved into the rockface marking the level of the Clyde when it flooded in 1789. He also showed us an old gravestone hidden in the undergrowth to someone’s pet dog.
Not in it’s original place he thought. He thinks it must have been in the grounds of a large house nearby which had been demolished years ago.
He showed us an interesting tree with a face and took us to meet his friend Chris who works at Bothwell Castle.
Chris gave us a very welcome coffee each – thanks Chris. He also gave us a donation for Macmillan as did Wullie – thanks both. Wullie walked with us for another mile or so and we were joined by Stuart and Marianna and their dog Baxter. We talked as we walked about our journey and gave them our details. Lovely to meet you all and thanks for your great company Wullie and our interesting and informative walk.
A little further on we came across a group of people – Liz, Jenni, Terry and Ian – all volunteers, and they call themselves The Uddingston Pride.
They were getting ready to pick litter from the path and to plant over 200 native tree saplings in the area. They are involved with the Community Payback Scheme too. Great to meet you all and may all your trees grow tall.
We soon left the path and walked across a footbridge then followed a cycle track which led towards Cambuslang. We met up with Dave’s distant cousin Lindsay. He joined us for a while and talked about his and Dave’s mutual family history. Great to meet up with you Lindsay after all these years of emails.
We finally arrived in Halfway, Cambuslang where we were greeted by Elaine who accompanied us back to where we were staying overnight. Alison – sorry we didn’t get to meet up especially as you have been following us since we started way back in January. It’s so generous of you to offer your home to us for the night. We plan to make the same journey in our car later this year or spring next year so hope to meet you and Gav then. Elaine,what can we say? Your welcome was amazing. Thank you for your hospitality and our very tasty lunch
The pie you gave us for supper is in the oven as I write this blog. We will definately be back for a visit to meet you and your family.
We’ve had a great day today and are looking forward to the days ahead.
We look forward to meeting up with you when you return. Make yourselves at home. Feet up. TV on. Maybe a wee movie. Have a few glasses of wine. Have a peaceful sleep and rest until you are on the move again. You’re welcome anytime.
Thanks Alison and Gav. We had a wonderful relaxing evening and slept well too. Elaine gave us a good welcome. Looking forward to seeing you in the future. X
I’m glad you were made so welcome…thanks everyone 🙂 xx
Thanks for your Facebook efforts Kate – four nights accommodation all down to you Kate xxx