Photos by Jez

A Dreich Day by the Canal — Fan Of… #135 and Lens-Artists #175

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Photos by Jez Avatar
Photos by Jez

Hi All 👋 Feel free to join in this weekly challenge whenever you find yourself thinking “I’m a fan of…” (see below for how-to).

This week’s Fan Of… is a dreich day by the canal. Probably not everyone’s idea of a day to be out on the bikes, but we’ve decided we’re not just fair-weather cyclists.

Being out on our bikes exploring is our version of bliss for my wife & me, & so this is also my entry for this week’s Lens-Artists Challenge, hosted this week by Lindy Low LeCoq: Follow Your Bliss.

We don’t have a car & since we got our bikes earlier in the year, we have clocked up over 700km & have seen many local attractions & a plethora of nature that we would never have otherwise come across. We use the Forth & Clyde Canal a lot to get around & I have been able to capture many images that have featured extensively in my Fan Of… & Water Water Everywhere Challenges, as well as in many other photographic challenges.

A soggy Susan & the bikes at Auchinstarry Marina
A soggy Susan & the bikes at Auchinstarry Marina

There’s a bit more to it than just going out for a ride. It’s recommended with our e-bikes to run the batteries right down to zero charge, to train the battery to know its full capacity. Susan had run her battery down earlier in the week, & I wanted to get mine fully depleted before some forecast icy weather arrives. It was quite mild, about 10?, windy & rainy so we did our usual & headed to the canal. We took a slightly different (less hilly) route to the canal so that I could keep my battery charge for the hills to be climbed on the way back.

We arrived at the canal at Auchinstarry Marina, before heading east along the canal & back up to Cumbernauld from Lock 20. I got a few shots of the Marina & the canal further along, as well as another visit from the family of swans before the rain forced me to put Snappy away & we headed home.

How To Join In

  1. Create a Fan Of… Photo Post.
  2. Add a link to your Fan of… blog post in my comment box or create a pingback by linking to my post.
    1. Title your post Fan Of… or add Fan Of… tag.Te

Have a great week

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Comments

30 responses to “A Dreich Day by the Canal — Fan Of… #135 and Lens-Artists #175”

  1. JohnRH Avatar
    JohnRH

    Great photos. I love the canal shots.

    Reply
    1. Photos by Jez Avatar
      Photos by Jez

      Thanks, John

      Reply
  2. philosophy through photography Avatar
    philosophy through photography

    Love the clicks.
    Perfect moment with Mother Nature.
    Thank you for the collection.
    My contribution
    https://philosophyvia.photos/2021/11/25/crystal-ball-photography/

    Reply
    1. Photos by Jez Avatar
      Photos by Jez

      Thanks, my friend

      Reply
  3. Marsha Avatar
    Marsha

    You are both hardier and braver than we are in rainy – even cloudy cold weather. Good for both of you! 🙂

    Reply
    1. Photos by Jez Avatar
      Photos by Jez

      Thanks, MarshaWe get to see plenty of places, get fit & I can indulge my passion for photography

      Reply
  4. Leya Avatar
    Leya

    Love your shots – and your persistance in that weather! I’d love to try one of those bikes myself.

    Reply
    1. Photos by Jez Avatar
      Photos by Jez

      Thanks, LeyaI think e-bikes are so good because they get people into (or back into in our case) cycling who otherwise might not. We also have a trailer that we can hook up that allows us to do all our shopping on the bikes as well; no need for a car

      Reply
      1. Leya Avatar
        Leya

        Very good – I should try. Many people have them here as well, but not so many where I live .

  5. Cee Neuner Avatar
    Cee Neuner

    Hi Jez,
    I thought I play along with you this week. I was actually inspired and coordinated enough to play along.
    Here is my entry for the week.
    https://ceenphotography.com/2021/11/23/sunday-stills-fan-of-ruby-colored-flowers/

    Reply
    1. Photos by Jez Avatar
      Photos by Jez

      Thanks for joining in this week, Cee

      Reply
  6. Lindy Le Coq Avatar
    Lindy Le Coq

    It’s clear you are both enjoying yourself, even in the rain and overcast skies, and the trail by the canal looks like a great place to bicycle. I especially like the shot of the canal with cattail in the foreground and birds (geese?) flying in the sky, and the swans are lovely. Thanks for joining in the fun!

    Reply
    1. Photos by Jez Avatar
      Photos by Jez

      Thanks, Lindy& yes they were geese, on their way home

      Reply
  7. I’m a Fan of this Russian-Orthodox Church – pictures imperfect blog

    […] I’m a Fan of … #135 […]

    Reply
  8. eklastic Avatar
    eklastic

    That looks like a wonderful outing, Jez!

    Reply
    1. Photos by Jez Avatar
      Photos by Jez

      It was, but tooka a while to dry off??

      Reply
      1. eklastic Avatar
        eklastic

        ?

  9. pattimoed Avatar
    pattimoed

    Hi, Jez. You are true bikers…out in all kinds of weather! Kudos to you both. I enjoyed your gallery of images and your experiences on the e-bike. I haven’t tried one yet, but it’s very tempting.

    Reply
    1. Photos by Jez Avatar
      Photos by Jez

      I highly recommend it, PattiWe hadn’t cycled for a long time & e-bikes seemed the perfect way to get back in the saddle. Cumbernauld is built on a hill, so the motors do take the sting out of the return journey quite a bit. Our bikes are pedal-assist bikes & cannot be used on motor alone; the motor gives us that little boost when we need it

      Reply
      1. pattimoed Avatar
        pattimoed

        I like that!

  10. Tina Schell Avatar
    Tina Schell

    Kudos to you and your wife for braving the elements on the bikes Jez. We got such a kick out of the name Firth of Forth when we were in Scotland a few years back – and I can see why it would be a source of bliss for sure!

    Reply
    1. Photos by Jez Avatar
      Photos by Jez

      Thanks, Tina

      Reply
  11. Keerthana MS Avatar
    Keerthana MS

    Looks amazing
    https://keerthuspath.wordpress.com/2021/11/22/foto-fan-of-photo-challenge/

    Reply
    1. Photos by Jez Avatar
      Photos by Jez

      Thanks, Keerthana

      Reply
  12. FOTO & Fan of Photo Challenge – Keerthusway

    […] Fan of Photo Challenge […]

    Reply
  13. Aletta - nowathome Avatar
    Aletta – nowathome

    Must have been quite cold , but your photos are a delight !

    Reply
    1. Photos by Jez Avatar
      Photos by Jez

      I think my shins went numb at one point?

      Reply
      1. Aletta - nowathome Avatar
        Aletta – nowathome

        I can imagine that!

  14. cindy knoke Avatar
    cindy knoke

    It looks idyllic.

    Reply
    1. Photos by Jez Avatar
      Photos by Jez

      It’s so peaceful down there

      Reply

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