The Kelpies, Falkirk

We departed from the church at 1000 precisely in  Viewforth HS 's luxurious minibus heading for Falkirk to visit The Kelpies. A cloudy morning with a decidedly autumnal twist, we were dressed rather differently to the last time we met. It was an easy journey through, the driver having googled the whole journey the previous night. Again, right on time, we arrived at our parking spot at Falkirk football stadium where some if us felt the need to use the facilities before moving on to meet our tour guide, Steve.





Mary bought a postcard at the ticket office so I bet George D reads it out at church on Sunday. The Helix park is very exposed so it was bitterly cauld during our tour and we shared hats, gloves and scarves around. We walked about 15 mins before even reaching the Kelpies. They are magnificent. These were sculptor Andy Scott's vision 8 years ago and he must feel completely satisfied at the wonderful result.

The surrounding plaza,  Lagoon , Playground,  wetlands, cycle paths and lots more make this a tourist attraction not to be missed for Scots folk and a real pull to the central belt for visitors to our country. I expect it will be even better once the tourist centre opens in 2015. So many people of all ages and nationalities were having a great time. Steve told us the history of the Kelpies and took us inside Duke, the head down horse, it's neighbour being called Baron, named after two life models chosen by Andy Scott for the character of their faces. Two massive Clydesdales - a testament to the industrial past if the Falkirk area.  Made from stainless steel plates - each one different- the contours of the horses' faces clearly visible.

The tour lasted 45 mins then we had to walk back to the Falkirk stadium for lunch. Very nice it was too, and some say they will return with their families. Unfortunately we had to return by the same route after lunch to go on our walk, so past the Kelpies this time and into the community woodland, trying to follow a map which was neither use nor ornament. Seeking two pieces of community sculpture in the woods, we did find one.  Charlie offering himself as the sacrifice as you see. This was a human sun clock but as it was very cloudy we couldn't really check out the time. 

 

 

 

 

 

We got A little bit lost trying to  find the other sculpture until a kind man out for a daunder showed us the way to 'love and kisses'.
Massive lips made from corten steel. As you see the children in our party used it as a plaything.






 

Back on the bus we shared our admiration of the Kelpies and the whole Helix Park. A quiz  was handed round with a valuable prize at stake for the winners. Alison and John were the winners which was nice as they were the 'new walkers' today. We then played a variation of pass the parcel - Pass the Pawkie - which June won, then shared her prize out with  the rest of the bus. The average age in the bus by the way, was 65.

We had an east journey home and arrived back at the church just after 5pm ending our meeting as always with prayer

DW