At 08:30 there was a buzz of activity as the hire boats moving onwards through the next staircase of locks headed on down. There were five chambers to get through and only one time slot per day. We thought this was a good opportunity to take the day off sailing and look around the area. For the whole morning we were the only boat left on the west side of the lock staircase, and as most of the tourism was from visiting boats the village was also very quiet, a good time to look around.
Tim spent the day updating his podcast and Row went on walkabout in the sunshine.
The first place she visited the local glass blower’s studio who was happily at work making out of the norm gifts at sensible prices. She was very obliging at having her photo taken and was up for a chat.
Walking past the glassblower’s studio, then through a field of sheep, the footpath led to the banks of Loss Ness on the east side of the lock staircase. The jetties there were less protected and the water very choppy, the boats tied up didn’t look too comfortable bobbing about.
Another field of sheep later Augustus Abbey came into view. The Abbey was apparently closed to the public this summer, but quite a few people from the day trip ferry were enjoying the grounds, so with herd mentality she wandered around also marvelling at the views.
Augustus Abbey had once been a Benedictine Monastery, then later a school caught up in an abuse scandal leading to its closure and sale. It’s now an impressive looking hotel with sports facilities overlooking Loch Ness.
A quick look inside the only four shops open and a visit to a small Londis at the side of the petrol station, she took a wander about in the other direction, clocked the opening times of the chippy and read her book in a quiet spot at the edge of the loch.
Following a fish and chips supper we woke Artie up, who had been more interested in the internal view of Talavera from his hammock all day, for a walk along the tow path.
There are five boats including ours here again tonight so guess we’ll all be going through the staircase together in the morning.
6 am be sure to have a listen 👂
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