Saturday 27 July 2013

Saturday Morning Bike Ride.

I've not done a Saturday Morning Bike ride since the beginning of June. Tut tut! Sorted today though. Despite the recent thunder storms the weather was still warm and muggy. I'm off at 7:45am. I took rather a lot of photos; the wild flowers are fantastic at the moment, the air smelled sweet and delicious.

 Knapweed.

Knapweed & bee.

 Bike.

The way ahead. It's a long hill, I'm already over half way up at this point. 

Not as much fly tipping as there sometimes is. These blue Christmas decorations caught my eye though. Glancing into the field behind I could see half-chewed Santas and Angels strewn around. Why not take them to a charity shop instead of dumping them? I wish I'd taken a bauble home now I see them again.

Gate & tyre.

Another gate. Not much left of the wall.

Looking towards Glasgow in the far distance.

Farm buildings

Hawthorn and golden grass. There were numerous small white butterflies darting around all the patches of long grass I passed today. Sometimes they would flutter right past me and I could feel them gently touch my bare arms.

At the very top. Once at the top the countryside is fairly flat and several miles of gentle traffic-free cycling awaits. Lovely!

Harebells.

Small loch.

Rosebay willowherb

Lovely contrast between the gold and green.


The avenue, I couldn't decide which picture I preferred.

A favourite view.

Shorn sheep.

Onwards.

A down hill stretch is ahead. First though I have some fun photographing the wildflowers on the road verge...







Wheeee.

Hoverfly and rosebay willowherb.

Reservoir #1.

Moo.

Lovely twisty roads.

Geese and ducks.

Meadowsweet. I've never seen so much meadowsweet in bloom as I saw today.

Ladybird.

More meadowsweet.

Bramble blossom.

Reservoir #2 (and even more meadowsweet!)

Reservoir #3. Also, another pause to photograph yet more flowers, leaves and seedheads...








The pine cone is still tucked into the crack in the gate post. I wonder if the person who placed it there knows it's still there. I wonder if he and I are the only people who know of it or does anyone else look out for it when passing this way.

Twisty wire.

 A view through the barbed wire.

 Looking north.

Pastoral scene.

The tatty farm. I still fail to get a decent photo of it. The hollyhocks at the front door were pretty impressive though. I may even try hollyhocks in the garden next year...

Rear view.

Small peacock butterfly. I also saw a red admiral but two noisy joggers scared it away before I could get a good photo.

Looking north east.

Nice barn and fabulous veggie plot.

Looking north again.

Past the loch.

Ragwort and soldier beetle.

Farm and rosebay willowherb.

Then home. About 25 miles cycled. It turned out a lovely day weather-wise, which hadn't been forecast; a pleasant surprise.

13 comments:

Linda said...

Wow, 25 miles is an impressive distance!
I am speechless at the fly-tipping of Christmas decorations. That has to be one of the most brainless things I've ever seen.
The wild flowers, including the all-pervasive rosebay willowherb, are gorgeous just now. Your seedheads are very Angie Lewin!

Louise said...

Lovely views. The grasses and wildflowers have been fabulous here too - I've been enjoying them in the last few days.

Claire said...

Beautiful photos Anne......love a grey, cloudy day, great atmosphere.
I love tatty farm and the bee on the knapweed........despite the warmth sounds like it's a wonderful Summer......

Claire x

**Anne** said...

WOW what a wonderful bike ride. Your photos are just stunning, I like them all but something about the avenue of trees has my heart singing. Thanks so much for sharing.
Anne xx

Our photos said...

Your photos are lovely!
Big hug, SK

Clicky Needles said...

Love tree avenue pic no 2 for me!

Super collection, as always.

Mereknits said...

Wow 25 miles, good for you. And the pictures are beautiful.
Hugs,
Meredith

Rosemary said...

I have noticed that the bramble blossom here like yours is very big this year - I wonder if that means big fat juicy blackberries to pick.
You show three beautiful flowers that are synonymous with Scotland for me - the harebell, the thistle, and the rosebay willow herb.
You could always take another bike ride, and collect some of those pretty blue baubles - what a strange thing to do - dump them in the countryside.

Cybèle said...

Jealous, jealous, jealous! No, actually, envious :-) I haven't been out either, apart from one 17 miler a couple of weeks ago on a Friday night. Have had too many things on at weekends and not getting to spend much time in Norfolk, then when I do get there, I want to spend time with B, not go off on the bike.
Just off with the parttime dog for a brief walk, hoping that'll keep me happy for a little while...

Simone said...

A wonderful bike ride. Thank you!!!

Gillian Roe said...

Really beautiful photos - you capture your local landscape so well whatever the season. I especially love the shots of the thistle and the avenue. x

pembrokeshire lass said...

Lots of lovely pics!1 I so enjoy going with you on your bike rides. My favourite pic was the ones of the harebells. They remind me of my scottish grandfather and the walks i used to go with him up the braes behind Paisley. Lovely memories. Thanks Joan

blueskyscotland said...

Getting older both Alex and I have swapped our old hard bike saddles (like yours seems to be) for a £5 pound Lidl gel saddle that slips over the old one. The comfort difference is amazing. Wish I'd had one years ago. Just a thought:)

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails