Just photos – no particular theme
Saturday 26 November: Killing time near Inverness – we’ve driven over the Kessock bridge, eaten our sandwiches – and now the light’s looking good. To the west of the bridge, we look across the Beauly Firth, from the village of Charleston (the original?); a little later, we’ve followed the narrow lane down to Kilmuir, beside the Moray Firth. Its phone box is still red, but it’s now “KiLMUiR iNFO BOX”
The days are really short now – just two weeks to the solstice. We’ll need to finish this walk before the sun sets – preferably an hour or so earlier, to give us time to enjoy the benefits of the tea room in the Carding Mill valley. It’s not cold today, though there’s a stiff breeze on top – it’s not easy holding the camera still for those long shots, but worth the effort (I think so, anyway) for those fading-distance views. To the south-west, the Black Mountains are anything but black – Pinky-Yellow Mountains? Perhaps not. Despite the breeze, it’s one of those afternoons when it would be good to stay up here indefinitely – but cake awaits! Come on!
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=343505&Y=294981&A=Y&Z=120
Skye: 24 November: Poor thing! With a summit just 299m above sea level, it seems to be classified as a “tump” (whatever that may be). Classification notwithstanding, it’s a hill, and a very pleasant one too on this fine afternoon. I’ve walked down the road from Linicro, and followed a track up from the Totescore road end. There’s no-one else here (and precious few sheep) – it’s quiet, really quiet, and most enjoyable. Descending, I join the road from Staffin towards Uig, where the ferry is loading, before turning back along the main road above the bay.
Just published to Geoff’s Rail Diaries – “Santa Steam ’16” – photos and video from Sunday’s trip to the Severn Valley Railway, to see the Santa trains catching the golden light of a December afternoon.
Weds 23rd, afternoon: That’s exactly what it is – a rough-surfaced road to the little cluster of buildings on the spring line, providing a quick route to a quiet, empty hillside. Beyond, we follow the route of an old road which must once have served a long-vanished settlement to the east of Kilvaxter, north of Uig on Skye’s Trotternish peninsula. We’ll return via Kilmuir’s village hall, along the single-track A855, which is quieter than many a country lane on this November afternoon. There wasn’t time for anything more – the sun’s already setting behind Waternish.
Santa trains on the Severn Valley Railway – a great photographic opportunity, provided the weather cooperates. Today, it did just that – the sun shone from a clear blue sky until it set behind a line of trees to the south-west, just as 7802 Bradley Manor passed on its way back to Kidderminster. There will be more photos and video on Geoff’s Rail Diaries, but not for a day or two – too many other things above it on the to-do list.
Late November – we’re at our northern office, so to speak, for a few days. The Skye weather is unexpectedly good, despite the short hours of daylight – any outings will need to straddle lunchtime (have to take it with us…).
Weds 23rd, morning – I’m in Portree, killing time (waiting for a bus!) – it’s hard to imagine a better time and place, despite the morning’s hard frost. I’ll start with the Lump (what a charming name!) – the island capital’s little park on a rock above the harbour – then I’ll work my way around to the other side of the harbour and look back. I could happily have spent longer, but the bus won’t wait (and what a great bus ride!). Time (and light) permitting, I should be able to get a leg stretch this afternoon too.
It’s a steam-hauled excursion from Bristol to Chester and back, hauled by the reliable pair of Black 5s 44871 and 45407. It was running around 40 minutes late when we saw it near Craven Arms, but going very nicely… For more (admittedly very similar) photos visit “Christmas Cheshireman” on Geoff’s Rail Diaries
…so we’ll do it in black and white! It’s a pleasant circuit, down to Jackfield by hidden paths in the jungle, then across to Coalport and along the old railway track to Coalport bridge. We cross the Severn again and walk along the other old railway, before joining Pound Lane and heading for home.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=369350&Y=301556&A=Y&Z=120
There’s a stiff breeze, but it’s too good to stay in – we’ll walk up to Clee Burf, the southern summit of Brown Clee. Apart from the wind in the trees, it’s quiet up here. There’s no-one else about, apart from a solitary jogger, who doesn’t look happy. No shortage of sheep, of course. The forecast suggested there could be the odd shower, but we’re lucky today – bright sunshine throughout. There’s a big shower cloud to the north, and another, nearer, provides us with an unexpected rainbow. The end of it is just over there – no crocks though, just another sheep – taking on an appropriately golden tint in the late afternoon sunshine.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=358572&Y=284823&A=Y&Z=120
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