Evening Cycle Ride. Hilltop Views. Cruise Ships, Sunset Photo Gallery.

                                                 ALL PHOTOS CLICK FULL SCREEN

Common Spotted Orchid. A few weeks ago I went a cycle ride with Anne in the evening around 7:00pm. It was too warm and tough to walk during the day under blue skies and a relentless sun so we decided this particular evening to go out at night. Incidentally, now that it's the start of September and into Autumn this is the first time in four months ( May, June, July, and August ) that I've started wearing a jumper and trousers again in the house and garden ( to the relief of the neighbours, no doubt.) For four glorious months it has been comfortably warm in just shorts and a T-shirt- nothing else... and sitting outside in the full glare of the sun... just shorts... or a well placed sock.... for modesty purposes. A normal spring and summer for countries around the Mediterranean Sea but certainly not the norm for chilly, wind prone, Scotland... so I've made the most of it, especially during lockdown.  An exceptional year so far and the 4th warmest and driest spring and summer on record apparently for Scotland... 3rd warmest and driest for Ireland/ Northern Ireland  as it's across that curving band where the golden curtain of heat fell this year thanks to a static jet stream. England, Wales and London meanwhile got our usual summer weather, cool, windy and wet. YA BEAUTY!!!!!  THERE IS A GOD!!!!

The flowers and vegetation have responded to this generosity of golden light pouring down and evening walks have been a very pleasant experience with meadows filled with all sorts of wild nature. Buttercup meadow above.

A Common Lizard below.

Our route from Anniesland took us along the Forth and Clyde Canal, seen here, and we were in no hurry, watching swifts and bats skimming overhead at the same time, both competing for flies and other insects attracted to this corridor of still water. ( this was a later shot though taken on the return leg... on the way out it was too early and sunny to see the bats. Needless to say both creatures were far too quick to capture a clear image on my limited response slow shutter speed camera.  ) 

We were heading for a grassy hill above Clydebank which has good panoramic views over Glasgow, Paisley and the Kilpatrick Hills and Gleniffer Braes. Radnor Park Flats here.

 Timed it just right for the sun hitting the town of Paisley, seen here, and Glasgow Airport, ( planes and white terminal buildings clearly visible) which is closer to Paisley than Glasgow but still only 20 minutes away from the city centre district- under 10 minutes by car or airport bus along the motorway.

Looking in the other direction one of the Q.E. Hospital with helicopter pad on the roof and the three cruise ships berthed for a year at Govan docks due to Covid 19 laying them off. These have now left Glasgow and the River Clyde and are back working hard again, taking passengers on holidays around the world's oceans, tropical climes, and sun-drenched ports but apparently the crews on board got on well with the locals here and large crowds lined the banks of the river to see them off, one by one, as tourist ships of this size normally only dock at  Greenock in deeper water, nearer the coast, and it's a sight that might not happen again this far up the river.

 Sunset over hi rise flats and cantilever crane.

The sunset itself wasn't too shabby, evolving through several different looks...

Ending in an unusual upward beam that neither of us had ever seen before. Quite dramatic.

 Mind you sunsets over June and July have been wonderful in general... so here's a selection....

Is Heaven above...

Molten Orange....

The upper realm...

Renfrewshire glory over the woodland ridges....

 Night Town. Midsummer.   10:00pm approaches...Cat and fox time to be out and about. The furry children of the night with the sharp toothed flittermice whirring in the skies above. The seductive but short hunting hours before dawn.

We returned by cycling slowly down Great Western Road in a long descending freewheel and as it was 10:00pm on a weekend it was quiet and still with very few cars, which suited us perfectly. Passing Drumchapel here.

 It was still surprisingly warm and humid given the late hour so a light brief shower of drizzle didn't dampen our spirits at all and we remained cycling in tee shirt mode, no jackets necessary. After almost four months of continuous sunshine, nearly every day, it was gently refreshing and both we and the greenery appreciated it like never before. 

 

You could almost feel the rain hungry trees breathe a sight of relief.... A 'deep south' evening with a hint of 'tequila mockingbird' perhaps as we got a waft of exotic perfume from the wild dog roses lining the pavements hereabouts. Sultry....in fact.

 It only lasted long enough to dampen the streets... and grass.. and us... though before it petered out again which has been the story of rain falling this spring and summer generally.... very little... apart from one recent flash flood.

 Sparkling streets were an added bonus for a photographer and also helped us see the road ahead for any potential obstacles as the natural light diminished. As was my fair and smiling companion. Anne definitely won the wet T- shirt competition hands down.... sadly I just looked fatter than normal :o(          Note to self: Need to hit the bran flakes, brown rice, and porridge for a few sensation empty, cruel, taste free weeks. Food hedonism always has a price to pay.... No salt, no milk, no butter, no sugar....no joy.....just plain brown rice every day... iron will... and a spoon....(big sigh.)

The End....

But I'll maybe put the brown rice diet off until next week.... :o)      Use up the good stuff first....

 As food hedonism is soooooooo much fun....Rhubarb chunks and raspberry ripple ice cream...