A Walk in the Snow...

[endlessrarities]

Getting out into the fresh air has been hard the last couple of weeks.  The pavements and the cycle track have been really treacherous, with a thick coating of black ice turning all ungritted surfaces into a lumpy skating rink.

A fresh coating of snow makes all the difference.  The ice is still there, but for a little while, before the foot traffic gets too much, the surfaces are reasonably safe to walk on.

We made the most of it.  We went onto the cycle track (sans bicycles!, I hasten to add!) and went for a four mile walk in the snow. 

The place was virtually deserted.  We met two joggers, and a couple of dog walkers, and that was it.  I like the cycle track - it's full of whacky random scupltures.  Here's an 'ordinary' bicycle (aka Penny Farthing) set at the entrance, just to remind you that if you're looking for the cycle track, you've found it:-
 

Those of you who are fans of industrial archaeology will note, of course, that we're looking at an old railway, and that this covered pend actually takes you up into a former station.  I'm sorry - there's no escaping archaeology, not even on a pleasant stroll through the local countryside!!

The frequent overbridges are evidence of its earlier use.  I particularly like these cast iron ones, which are still reasonably well-maintained, and as a consequence, really rather fetching:-

J calls it a 'Hornby' Bridge. because it looks like something out of a train set!

One of the things I like about the cycle track is the random sculptures which have been set up at various points along the route.  Here's one of the more recent ones - a Fred Flintstone bicycle with concrete 'millstones' for wheels:-
 

We were accompanied throughout much of our walk by a chattering flock of redwings and fieldfares, which were feasting on the hawthorn berries and the rose hips.  Sadly, I couldn't get any photos of the redwings, which are really gorgeous birds.  We also met some pheasants...

I'll leave you now with some Picturesque Scenic Pictures of Renfrewshire in the snow.  Hope your weekend's going well!!

Comments

[rowangolightly.livejournal.com]

Oh lovely! If brrrrr; it looks cold (it's cold here but without the snow.)

I'm sorry - there's no escaping archaeology, not even on a pleasant stroll through the local countryside!!

This made me chuckle; I like it! It feeds my archeology bent that started itching in high school and never really got to scratch much so I live that part vicariously through you.

[endlessrarities.livejournal.com]

I'd like to think it follows me around like a stalker... But I think it's more likely to be the other way around.

I'm the person who went on a lovely walk to the Quairaing in Skye and got all excited because I found a shieling-hut just 30m away from the road... Most folk would have been going 'oh, wow! Look at the scenery!!!'

[rowangolightly.livejournal.com]

*hehe* I SO understand; I do the exact same sort of thing with costuming and fabric. I'll walk into a hotel and go, "oh, I love that settee, the fabric would make a great bodice!"

When I played QE in Titchfield, England I was delighted to explore the Tithe Barn there. Oh my goodness, that was nifty!

[endlessrarities.livejournal.com]

I visited a tithe barn once, but it was in my rabid prehistorian days, so I didn't really appreciate it:-(

[rowangolightly.livejournal.com]

It was lovely; the way the wooden ceiling was so beautifully ribbed and joined reminded me, oddly enough, of what I imagine the interior ribbing of a huge ocean mammal might look like. It's an odd bit of imagery but it has really stuck with me.

And how the whole set-up was laid out; so beautiful, useful and ecologically sound. There were berry vines on all the fences, a fishing pond in back and everything was still in beautiful working order.

[lizziebelle.livejournal.com]

I love the railroad bridge! That's something we have that is contemporary with yours. :)

[endlessrarities.livejournal.com]

And the 18th & early 19th century gravestones!

[lizziebelle.livejournal.com]

Right!

[roaming.livejournal.com]

Over here in NEW England (heh), we rely on TRAX for ice gripping. These days they're found all over, even in hardware stores at the checkout counter.

[endlessrarities.livejournal.com]

Don't worry! They're on my shopping list!

IF we make it down to the Lakes next week, we'll be hitting the outdoor shops PDQ in search of some crampons for the hiking boots...

Could've done with them for the Steel Fell hike back in February...

[xjenavivex.livejournal.com]

thank you and we have snow falling lightly

[endlessrarities.livejournal.com]

Aw, that's lovely!

(I just watched Edward Scissorhands, and I'm feeling very mellow and Christmas-y.)

[xjenavivex.livejournal.com]

That was my first date movie ever complete with his two parents a couple of rows back.

[endlessrarities.livejournal.com]

Chaparoned at the movies??? Brilliant!!!

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

Wonderful wonderful post and photos! I love those penny-farthing bicycles; I saw one once in use in the next-door town from here. And the Fred Flintstone one made me laugh. And the railway bridge! As you say, industrial archaeology everywhere--so intriguing.

And, the landscape in the last photo is just beautiful.

[endlessrarities.livejournal.com]

Our most bizarre sighting of Penny Farthing bicyles was when we saw two of them being ridden down a Very Steep Hill into the town of Brodick on the Isle of Arran.

God only knows how they braked in time!

We were on our bog standard road bikes, and we were very impressed!!