In broad daylight!!

Caught these two at it in broad daylight today, in close proximity to Morningside (posh part) in Edinburgh. Cant our politicians pass a few laws on this display of gross indecency instead of talking nonstop about the economy?

Most snow I've seen in April.

These two pictures taken tonight about 8pm show the snow still lying on the roads and fields up near Gladhouse Reservoir in Midlothian. There were actually deeper drifts that had been dug through with a digger further on a bit, but by this time it had become too dark for the phone camera to cope. Quite impressive for the time of year.

Hopeless trying to cycle in this!

This was my back garden this morning and about another 3 or 4 inches fell after that! My training has been badly interrupted and a strong letter will have to be sent to all those responsible for global warming theories who I feel are responsible for this type of weather!! It's SUMMER TIME for Gods sake!!!!!!!

(p.s.The bit that's cleared was for the birds to feed on.)

Innerleithen/Southern Upland Way today.

Only Baz and myself today, and an early start made harder by the fact that the clocks went forward to British Summer Time this morning! We were off before 5.30 am and on the bikes at Innerleithen by 5 minutes past 6 to begin the climb to Minch Moor. A strong wind helped us on the climb to the top which we did in just over 1 hour 3 minutes and then helped to blow us along, the quite wet in places, Southern Upland Way to the Three Brethern. It was too windy and cold to stop there for too long and we descended the track into the trees to take some liquid on board and have an energy bar. All the technical bits were safely negotiated but the journey back to Innerleithen was into the same very strong wind and we decided against (thank goodness) doing the Z's , a mile long climb of some difficulty, so we could get home by 11am. The ride lasted just under 4 hours and to say I was pretty knackered at the end would be a huge understatement. Still that's Innerleithen for the first time this year and to coin a phrase "We'll be back) !!

A stretch of The Southern Upland Way that was being blasted by a very strong wind today.

Time for a quick drink before the next technical descent!

New route in the Pentland Hills today!

This morning we decided to do a bit more in the Pentland Hills instead of just the usual route, so it was an early start, save for Clive who's not too bright first thing! However he eventually surfaced and we reached the top of the track up from Flotterstone at about 7a.m. From there we branched out onto a new track for us which would take us back over the hills to Nine Mile Burn and it proved to be quite a tough climb for nearly the next 2 miles. Eventually we were able to descend and came down the grassy track like Meat Loaf's "Bat out of Hell" to arrive at Nine Mile Burn. After a trip along and then back again on a minor road as we did a bit of research for a later ride, we cycled back to Penicuik. Back along the cycle track to Rosewell, along the road to Polton, down the dreaded (for me anyway) Polton Brae then up a steep little track with a bit of pushing and back home. A round trip of 36 miles which I think we can stretch to over 40 with a bit more Pentland riding flung in.

p.s. I had to do another 1 mile later on in the day to get my total for the week up to 100. Just how sad was that!!!

This signpost sits high in the Pentland Hills to guide weary travellers like ourselves!

This unusual stone with a hollow in the middle is about 1 mile or so up from Nine Mile Burn. There were coins in the hollow, presumably tossed in for luck. I'd be very interested if anyone has any information about this stone.

A bit of puffing going on as Baz and Clive cycle up through the pass!

Scenic Sunday in the Pentland Hills

Mountain biking through one of the old trails in the Pentland Hills this morning at 7 a.m.

For more Scenic Sundays look here.