First Ride on the new Steed

We are just back from a couple of days in the Trossachs and the Highlands in Scotland.  Our flexible plans were spun around our two nights in Killin.  Scottish friends gave us the pronunciation and sceninc routes.

Gordon is still on crutches after ankle surgery, so we made sure that every parking place was in a place with a view - not a big deal in this beautiful part of Scotland.

I cycled 18.7 miles/31 km on country roads and along-side Loch Earn, Loch Tay and Loch Katrine.  Hilly!

We took full advantage of the opportunity to turn off the B-road onto alluring minor roads.  The sign to "Pict Stone" lead us to a small village with one post office, one red telephone booth, one church and one grave-yard.  No sign of a school nor a shop.

By the way "The Picts" were present in Scotland North of the Forth since 700AD.  No-one seems to know where they came from.

Making sure that the folding bike doesn't unfold - before taking to the hills.

Gordon and I got better at folding and unfolding the Paratrooper

at each new ride.

This picture speaks for itself.

What it doesn't say is:

"I'm a two-way road not much wider than an average car-width"

Once up on the hill, the pedalling and racing of the heart eased off.

The last of the 2013 wild summer flowers 

A classic combination of Scottish stone wall and South African Wild Flowers.

Psalm 33 contains many a motive for the godly and upright to make melody in our hearts to the Lord - to sing joyfully to Him, to shout for joy, 

Of course, nothing will make much sense if we don't get the meaning of what it means to be righteous.

I'm leaving a gap to come back to this post and insert a link to how we can become right with God and to be in a position where our praises are aceptable to Him.

Of course we praise Him for the things that happen in our lives, like safe driving, pleasant weather, the thrill of flying downhill on a bicycle, team-work, love in marriage, our children, grandchildren, family and friends.

We've spend some time in Psalm 33 over the last couple of days and here are the first small batch of reasons to praise our God as suggested in the first verses:

Psalm 33

Sing joyfully to theLord, you righteous;
    it is fitting for the upright to praise him.
² Praise the Lord with the harp;
    make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre.
³ Sing to him a new song;
    play skillfully, and shout for joy.

⁴ For the word of theLord is right and true;
    he is faithful in all he does.
⁵ The Lord loves righteousness and justice;
    the earth is full of his unfailing love.