Coffee at the Kelpies — Fan Of… #145

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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).

First off, thank you so much for all the birtdays wishes from you guys??

This week’s Fan Of.. is Coffee at the Kelpies. With some time off over my birthday, my wife & I were able to get out on our first longish ride of the year (50km). Although we’ve been out on our bikes with the trailer constantly over the winter, to go shopping & run errands, this was our first chance to really get out. Over my whole time off we had strong to gale force winds & horizontal rain for much of it; we did, however, get a break last Monday & so headed to one of our favourite places, the Kelpies.

Owing to part of the canal path being closed, we had to follow an “alternative” route, one that was clearly not thought up by a cyclist. This involved following very rutted tracks that had been turned into swimming pools by the recent rain; you know it’s deep when the water comes over your wheel hubs (we have 28″ wheels, bigger than normal).

This next shot shows one of the better stretches of the path…

Alternative path
Alternative path

… but with a great view of the snowcapped Ochil Hills.

Once again we were amazed by our bikes absorbing the punishing terrain without a blink, considering they are meant to be city commuter bikes.

We finally arrived at the Kelpies in beautiful winter sunshine, and pulled up at some tables for well earned coffee, muffins & empire biscuits. This bit’s my entry for Xingfumama’s Pull Up a Seat Challenge.

I trundled around with Snappy for a while to get some more shots of the Kelpies for Marsha & Cee’s PPAC

…including some more odd perspectives for Becky’s final Odd Square.

Again, because of the large amount of rain, a large puddle had formed in front of the Kelpies, giving some unique reflections. I was lucky with my timing, a few minutes after I took these shots, another photogapher went to get some similar shots, only to have a crazy labrador go full speed through the puddle & destroy the reflections

Just before leaving, I went to have a quick chat with a pair of swans; one unfortunately had a damaged wing, but seemed perfectly fine otherwise & their mate always stayed close at hand.

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.
  3. Title your post Fan Of… or add Fan Of… tag.

Hae a guid week 😁

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28 responses to “Coffee at the Kelpies — Fan Of… #145”

  1. Debbie Avatar

    Wonderful!
    I love the Kelpies too, but I’ve not managed to get there for sun or snow capped mountains. So big thanks for sharing these, Jez.
    More visits required!!

    1. Photos by Jez Avatar

      Thanks, DebbieSo lucky to have them only about an hour a way by bike; plus gets some unique views from the canal path that you don’t otherwise get to see

  2. Marsha Ingrao Avatar

    Congratulations, you are one of this weeks FEATURED BLOGGERS on PPAC! Great photos!

    1. Photos by Jez Avatar

      Thank you so much, Marsha

  3. Alison Avatar

    I love these Kelpies and have only seen them from the road as we were driving past and have put them on my blog also a while ago. Nothing like yours though Jez and lovely to be able to seem them in all their glory.

    1. Photos by Jez Avatar

      Thanks, AlisonIt took us years to get to them; we’d always pass them on the road, but never could find out how to get to them. That was until we got our bikes & were able to head straight along the canal to them

      1. Alison Avatar

        It was worth the trip I think

      2. Photos by Jez Avatar

        Definitely

  4. Marsha Ingrao Avatar

    Jez, your photos are exquisite. The reflections, the statues themselves, the blue sky. Wow! I can see why this is one of your favorite spots. Thanks for linking up to PPAC this week. I adore your horses.

    1. Photos by Jez Avatar

      Thank you so much, Marsha

  5. anne leueen Avatar

    The Kelpies are a favorite of mine. They are on my bucket list of things to see before I pass on.

  6. KL Caley Avatar

    What amazing photos (especially the odd perspectives and reflections). I keep meaning to visit when nearby but never seem to have the time. KL?

    1. Photos by Jez Avatar

      Thanks KLAfter years of never getting to them, they are now a regular stopping point on many of our journeys; there’s coffee & bathrooms

      1. KL Caley Avatar

        ?

  7. XingfuMama Avatar

    It looks awesome! Perfect place for a breakfast picnic. I love the photo of the kelpies against the snow topped hills, and the one with them reflected in the water. That bike path looks pretty intimidating. I hope it wasn’t too bumpy. When I used to ride I always thought that the hardest part of bicycling was the seat!

    1. Photos by Jez Avatar

      Thanks fo the awesome commentFortunately our sales are very comfortable; gel filled with suspension in the seat post

  8. Lithans Avatar

    Nice pictures Jez

    1. Photos by Jez Avatar

      Thank you so much

  9. Susan T. Braithwaite Avatar

    Amazing post, sweetie! I love the odd perspectives of the kelpies

  10. eklastic Avatar

    We were on a short ride yesterday taking advantage of the gorgeous weather (our grandson was trying out the bike he received for Christmas and he was visiting). I didn’t take photos though, but I’ve got distant relatives of your kelpies in my fanatical post this week: https://picturesimperfectblog.wordpress.com/2022/02/28/im-a-fan-of-donkeys/

    1. Photos by Jez Avatar

      It’s always great to get out on the bikes; we’re closing in on the 1000km mark

      1. eklastic Avatar

        ??

  11. […] I’m a fan of … #146 […]

  12. Teresa Avatar

    Great captures Jez. I remember that it was very busy when we went there in 2016.

    1. Photos by Jez Avatar

      Thanks, TeresaWe fortunately normally get there before the main crowds

  13. BeckyB Avatar

    oh wow what a fabulous bike ride under blue skies, and as for those noses well not sure what my horse would think! Thanks for being so much part of squares this month 😀

    1. Photos by Jez Avatar

      Thanks, BeckyAlways look forward to squares coming roundHope your flights went off smoothly & you’re enjoying the Portuguese sunHopefully we might see some of your marvellous sea scapes for WWE

      1. BeckyB Avatar

        thanks 🙂 Flight was delayed but not by much, and today we have had some glorious sunshine

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