I try to get out running three times a week.
Over lockdown (1, 2 and 3) I got to know the local area very well indeed and there are very few paths or streets within the Anniesland/Knightswood/Westerton/Blairdardie/Yoker neighbourhoods that haven’t had me wobbling and puffing my way along at some point.
A constant over all of this has been the canal. Nice, even path. No cars so less noise and just a general feeling of a bit more open-ness and freedom than dodging the fumes, bams n dogshite that you tend to get a lot more of on the streets.
I’d clocked a spot at Blairdardie (just next to Westerton train station)quite some time ago that I’d seen West End Adventure run kayak lessons from that looked ideal for my first canal foray that was just 5 minutes drive from the house and offered easy access to the water.
The canal can be a tricky place to hang out, especially if you’re floating in the middle of it. Depending on the time of day/month/year it can get very er…. spicey on the bam front. I’d definitely never go on the water in the evening or late in the afternoon but my first sojourn happily coincided with a midday kick-off Old Firm football match so I took the calculated risk that most of the ghouls and zombies would be at home.
It was defiinitely a risk worth taking. I had a lovely 45 minutes paddling about between Lock 25 and Lock 26. Windy in spots but very easy on the paddle. Nice and calm too. Lots of kneeling/standing up practice again and once more, no wetsuit was needed as I didn’t fall in. Quite glad about that as I’m not convinced that the canal water is up to much.
Was also mindful of how long the setup/dismantle was on the board. Fifteen minute setup (this included a freak accident involving the pump and a part of my anatomy that I don’t feel I can fully go into right now) and ten minutes to deflate and get everything packed up. Amazing how quick it is to get set up, the more you practice etc…
Looking forward to exploring other canal segments though. Less so about discovering how well the RED board can handle being shot at with an air rifle.
