Over the Forth

13 June

34 miles

Climbing 622 m

Cumulative distance 819 miles

We had a fairly short day today, we had a long chat with Glynne and Sue before they set off on the long drive back to North Wales and then had a very long coffee stop whilst we completed yesterdays social media duties that were hampered by the lack of signal at the campsite

Misty trees at Beecraigs campsite

The morning we thought would all be downhill to the Forth Bridge but in fact we hadnt studied the map closely enough- one quite steep hill got us warmed up before a gentle downhill into South Queensferry , we stopped at the local Tesco to stock up with food and sat in their cafe for a prolonged break uploading photos etc.

We set off to cycle across the Forth Road Bridge , the views to either side were stunning- the old Rail Bridge off to the right and to the left the new Queensferry Crossing-  still being built, a massive impressive structure with the towers disapearing up into the cloud at times- and on top of the towers huge cranes for the construction- being a crane driver here would not be for the fainthearted . We were rather surprised by how much movement there was on the Forth Bridge itself- the cycle way is bolted on outside the main roadways and very noticeably sways with every passing lorry . The bridge was recently closed for a while when cracks were found- not worth worrying about. We took lots of pictures of the construction although it was  partly obscured by the left hand carriageway.

Queensferry crossing under construction. Segments not yet joined up

Cranes disappearing into the mist

Segments advancing towards each other

Forth Rail Bridge opened 1890.

After the crossing we wound our way through the built up area of North Queensferry until we emerged into quieter roads and a substantial hill.

Looking back at the Queensferry Crossing

We stopped by the Town Loch at Townhill for lunch

Town Loch, Townhill

And then had a relaxed cycle up through hills, first grass then forest.

Hills South of Kinross

Forest lanes

Lane through Blairadam forest south of Kinross

Ferns

Water Avens

and down to Kinross, with fantastic views of Loch Leven and the much higher mountains in the distance that we cross in the next few days.

Above Kinross

View over Loch Leven

Down to Kinross

Above Kinross. Proper mountains blue in the distance

On the way through the forest Gayle spotted a lovely flower but couldnt identify it but with the wonder of facebook she sent her picture of it to our friend Chris who is an enormous source of information on botany and the natural world- within minutes we had the answer- Water Avens, so now we can post the picture and sound all knowledgeable and nobody will know.

We arrived in town  just in time to buy meths for our stove before the ironmonger closed.

The campsite tonight is rather expensive for basic facilities but there are some other end to enders with their support team and some very brown cyclists from the Netherlands who have been exploring Western Scotland and the Hebrides in perfect weather . The weather has turned much colder but this is a blessing as it keeps the midges down.