L2L Day 62 New Lanark to Motherwell - 9 miles

Today, Tony headed back to Switzerland, with a few days planned in the mountains before heading for a fortnight's sailing in Greece - lucky bugger!

Tony has been great company.

David Dale and Richard Arkwright saw the potential and raised the money to build New Lanark using the water of the Clyde to power the cotton spinning mills.

It was Dale's Welsh son in law, Robert Owen  - a 'utopian socialist', who revolutionised the workings of the place by introducing children's education, healthcare for all, a savings scheme, a welfare scheme, improved working conditions, and fairer working hours. It must have been a success, the mill continued until 1968.

Now, apart from the preserved buildings for information and display, the remainder are used for housing, hotel and hostels. A very nice atmosphere. 

After a visit to all the exhibits and a relaxed coffee, I eventually got walking at about midday - far too late to comfortably walk the 14 miles along the Clyde Walkway to Motherwell.

Bridges must be meeting places. At the bridge in Kirkfieldbank I met Lydia and Cam. 

Lydia is walking from John o Groats to LandEnd and had set off at the end of April. Originally from Chester, Lydia now lives in Sheffield. Cam is a teacher and enjoying his half term by joining Lydia for a walk through Scotland. They were camping and on their way to Lanark to replenish their stocks. I recommended that they went via New Lanark because of its significance in our social history.

Lydia is planning to get to LandsEnd by the end of July. I sensed she was still buzzing with the enjoyment of the journey.

At the other end of the village while crossing the bridge at Stonebyres, I met Waltraud. 

She was just returning from collecting Sweet Woodruff 

which she was going to use to make May Punch or to use her original German, Maibowle.

This was one of her favourite walks and Waltraud knew every location where various herbs were growing. In a recipe shared with Alan Titchmarsh she will apparently dry the herb (after its immersion in white wine) and it will be used to perfume her house exquisitely!!! A traditional recipe.

Waltraud moved from Germany to Scotland after she bought, as she described it - the most expensive book she'd ever found - a novel by Dorothy Dunnett which she'd found in the Stars and Stripes bookshop in Heidelberg. So inspired was she by the story, that she went in search of the other books in the series and as a consequence, overtaken by the romance of living in Scotland, she moved home and country. Initially living in Kelso, over the years she has kept 10 Scottish Wolfhounds all of them with appropriate names - Linga, Macbeth, Luadhas etc. An amazing woman. 

Having talked to Waltraud for must have been half an hour I needed to quicken my pace but realised that having had a late start I wasn't going to get to Motherwell until 8 o clock. It was a warm afternoon. I decided to get to Carluke and catch a train from there. 

On the way, Carfin Farm had all manner of distractions. 

Southern rail hasn't tried any of those excuses yet!!

After a steep climb up from the river I arrived at Carluke station. Over the years, the men of Carluke have been decorated with 3 Victoria Crosses for oustanding bravery in the army and navy - hence it's name, The town called Courage.

Staying awake on the 17 minute train journey was a challenge.

I checked in to my accommodation, had a relaxed shower and went for a pint of Tennants just up the road at The Horshoe bar. 

Monday night is Jamming Jimmy's Karaoke Night and everyone seemed to be shouting even before the music started. I tried to melt in to the background - not easy!! By the time the second song was blasted out, the conga was just about to kick-off.

Old Hadrian must have known what he was up against.

Motherwell's Heritage Centre! 

and a bulldozer used in the demolition of the old town to make way for the 1960s shopping centre when Ravenscraig Steelworks promised so many opportunities for work.

They surely must have a few more things to exhibit!!!

I retreated to The Mandarin Chinese. Though I was the only customer,  the King Prawn in garlic, Chicken Satay and the speciality Mandarin Chow Mein were all very good.
For the duration of the meal I was subjected to Jay Chou singing his heart out - each song sounding as if it was the closing song from a West End musical and formulaicly written by AI.

Who knows, but it made me want to go home and listen to some Leonard Cohen!!

Tower blocks in the late evening sun.