Bartimaeus

The brighter weather has encouraged me to enjoy the tandem, but I am not casting a cloot yet. Warm cycling clobber and accessories in the pockets are essential. The air is still cold and we have had a little snow in the last week - typical for Easter in Scotland. As usual Shane is careful with his route planning to take precipitation and wind direction into account. All the same, I pack a waterproof. 

We set off on a route from Polmont station. Shane hadn't made it sound exciting by his mention of passing Grangemouth but it was only one of many more attractive sites, a ride through a wooded estate was promised and cafe stops. The Bo'ness and Kinneil railway ran nearby and I remembered the thundering wheels on the train track and chuff of steam at the station and going to that attraction a few times when the boys were little, including a Halloween ride, in spooky outfits, a visit to the clay mine and an Easter bunny special. 

We stopped for lunch at Bo'ness. On the way in we passed a large (over six foot diameter) metal wheel, a reminder of the area's mining heritage.  But being coastal, the sea was also important for income and eating.

The cafe wasn't selling any seafood. I was tempted by the McMoofin but settled for a traditional broth, which was so good I recommended it to another customer. After, we headed to the coast for the next leg of the route. A much larger buoyancy aid was on display, dwarfing Shane and the tandem.

We had a lovely day out and there was an opt out if I wasn't wanting to go so far, at South Queensferry. As we approached, we had an unscheduled pause to look at a boat that was tied to a tree, but not looking like it was on good mooring. Its anchor had been deployed. While we were checking it out some men for marine services arrived in a jeep asking if they could move the tandem, to let them drive onto the beach through the gap in the wall, where our wheels were leaning. We moved them and were satisfied the beached boat was in safe hands.

In South Queensferry we had a scheduled ice-cream stop, looking over the Firth of Forth, and that was enough refreshment to think we could continue on to Edinburgh.

The next section was a bit muddy and  we stopped to try to get some mud out from under the mudguard that was rubbing on the wheel. Well Shane did, while I admired the view.

The alternative ride Shane had offered was saved for another day. I had remembered some of the route as we started at Bridge of Allen where Bryn lodged in his final year at Stirling university. We sent him pictures of his first year hall of residence (not so scenic, we thought it had been demolished years ago) and the grounds to see if he recognised it. He did. 

We didn't pause long but reminisced as we cycled on. We were heading for a cafe in the country where we had once met Bryn, for lunch, all meeting up by bike. It was a delight to roll up and have lamb triplets in the field opposite.

This trip took us past many fields of lambs, of varying stages, but at one point we had to stop as the way was barred. It was a pleasure to find this was a temporary stop to allow sheep to be herded and cross the road safely. We, and another cyclist, got to watch two men and their dog, doing most of the work. I used to do this with my dad. We didn't have a dog but then it couldn't operate the gates and I could. I am sure he had me doing most of the running. 

After they had crossed the man opened the gates. The sheepdog was still busy gathering a group from the field to take them to a pen, and a trailer, which I watched from the back seat. I often cycle 'no hands'.

Another stop was planned at this nature reserve. We had a short view from a hide, overlooking a large pond. The birds decorating the hide, were much closer than the ones on the water, and more varied, but then there were twelve spread out like a calendar with a different bird per month. These were the central summer ones. 

We also stopped, at my request, at Clackmannan. We were in no particular hurry. While I was taking photos of the Clack and Tollbooth there was an altercation between two motorists. No body was clapped in irons and flung in the Tollbooth today.

An even larger tourist site was ahead as we headed to the Helix park and the famous Kelpies. The place was busy with families, out enjoying the sun and the water. We saw another tandem wheel through the park, but they didn't stop, just slowed to go through the crowds.

The plan had included a stop at the Falkirk Wheel, a spectacular boat lift, but barriers across the towpath, altered our route and being unsure what alternative was available, we wheeled off to Falkirk to catch the train in stead.

The next day, a cycling trip, on which Shane had intended going, was called off. He was about to go on his own when I said I had nothing planned and could go too, so the trusty tandem was out again. This was a shorter ride as we had already lunched. We went towards the coast again, to Musselburgh. A planned coffee stop at Prestonpans, was abandoned when only take away was available. We headed back to the shore. I stopped to look at a sculpture.

There was no explanation or title, just a plaque staying it had been restored. I went to join Shane who had moved the tandem down the ramp and steps to the shore.

I joined him and admired the view back to Edinburgh, before setting off again. Shane had a few obstacles on the way to negotiate and a woman complimented his handling through a narrow kissing gate, where he lifted the front wheel right up and steered it through vertically on the back wheel.

I had enjoyed a walk round Arthur's seat and in Dr Neil's garden on Easter Monday, the weather much improved from the snow on Sunday. It was brilliant today too and the view made Edinburgh look far away. We didn't cycle back though, we went on to Longniddry and waited for a train back. The design of the station bench made it look like he might be on a wheelchair, not a bench. The symbol of the rotary club is a gear wheel, representing service and action, the spokes and cogs symbolising the importance of all the individuals working together - fitting for tandem riders.

We have had a "she's not pedalling on the back" remark by one person this week, but Shane knows whether I am or not. We have had more complimentary "that's great" type remarks on these outings. Plus we got an offer of some juice from someone who hailed us, asking if we had a pump. Of course we did, so Shane took turns with him to pump his tyre up.