The morning began with a beautiful sky.
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This is the eastern sky taken from the garden just before setting off at about 07:20. I follow my favourite road out of the village.
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A little bit of hazy mist lies along the strath. Here you can see the folly through the mist with crossed telegraph wires above.
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A cow poses before the Clochoderick stone at the cross roads where I turn right, still following my favourite route. Just behind me a cow in the field to the left has just given birth, her new calf lying deep in the grass (no photo as Mum still had afterbirth bits dangling!)
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Trees through the hazy morning.
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Early Autumn colour on the right (a horse chestnut tree), and leafy shadows on the fence post.
Just after this point I decide to take a right and head up a road that I've always wanted to cycle up but hadn't yet dared to - it's a dead end road past lots of farms, sometimes in these situations you're made to feel like you're cycling on a private road which I don't like. However, it turned out that this one was absolutely fine, no gates across the road or anything, and it was definitely worth it for the views...
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Quite early on I pass an old abandoned cottage.
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Red rowan berries against blue sky.
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Pylons fade away into the hazy distance.
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And my reward... at the end of this dead end road lies Kaim Dam reservoir.
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I climb up the steps to get a better look...
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So still and peaceful. It's possible to cycle/walk round for a few miles, so I do just that.
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I even climb a hill up to this cairn to get another view of the reservoir.
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And also to see what's on the other side of the hill, just forest as far as the eye can see.
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I get wet feet from tramping through the long dew-soaked grass.
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One last look.
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Now heading back down the hill, still enjoying the hazy views towards the south east.
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I like this little building. It has a huge chimney out of shot to the right, I'll need to try and find out more about it.
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The folly again in the distance.
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And again, with yet more telegraph poles.
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So many cows.
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Almost home...
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Hubby has been busy before he left to to take A & N to the swimming. I eat six, three with just butter and three with butter and jam, yum.
I've had to write the blurb in a little bit of a hurry, will be back later today to add just a couple more things...
It's about 6hrs later and I'm back... I think after all I'll leave my post pretty much as it is though I did want to comment on how strong the perfume of the
himalyan balsalm is at this time of year and there is quite a lot of it about here particularly on the road I took out of the village. Also, I had my cycling computer working this week - just 16 miles on the bike and a mile or so walking at the reservoir, much less strenuous than last week!
10 comments:
Oh, I really enjoyed the journey, thank you! Would love the gate to be the entrance to our cottage, isn't it cute?
Katie
i really love the routes you take , always beautiful things to look at . I think I'd be openeing that gate and having more of a peek at the abandoned cottage :-)
What exquisite photos! You are truly blessed
What another great route. Kaim reservoir looks so peaceful. What a perfect return to fresh pancakes - I really nee to convince John he can make something more than curry (which at the moment makes my stomach churn!). Juliex
You deserve 6 after yet another mammouth ride. xxxx
I'm sorry, I've been a bit blog reading/commenting absent for a while but so nice to catch up with you today and especially nice to see such lovely photos. I am having reservoir envy :)
M's new 'hobby' is also bike riding, he rode to work today in London, not nearly as pretty as your ride I am sure, but I'm still impressed he made the effort as it's a long way.
Bethx
Beautiful countryside pictures. I wish that I was surrounded by such beautiful land and wish I could cycle too!!!
You make me feel very lazy. I must say breakfast looks right up my street.
Tracey
lovely bike ride and delicious pancakes. you really know how to get the most out of your precious me time. I have nominated you for a blog award as you are my absolute favourite blog. It's the Dorset Cereals one. Get all your pals to vote and you might win a cereal bar for your morning cycles!
Hi! Just got the lovely parcel from you for the book giveaway. Its all gorgeous - thanks so much,
Dawn
xx
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