They’re all short at this time of year… Been out exploring by rail, using a “West Midlands Day Ranger”. By the time we got back to New Street, it was dark – but there’s enough light for a few photos of the trams, before squeezing into a rush-hour train. More to follow, in due course, on “Geoff’s Rail Diaries”. In the meantime, here’s tram no 31 in Stephenson Street.
Category: Photography
Just photos – no particular theme
North and south hills
28 November: Meall Tuath and Meall Deas are the rocky hills (or possibly “lumps”) which overlook Rubha Hunish, Skye’s northern tip. I was here in the summer, scrambling down the cliff-face to reach that grass-topped rocky tongue of land. Today, we’ll be content to take in the vista from these superb viewpoints. On Meall Tuath, there’s a former coastguard lookout, now equipped as a mountain bothy – could be a great place to spend a short midsummer night, but not in late November. Once again, we’re on our own out here – apart from the sheep and the seabirds – and golden eagles. There were two or three above us as we parked the car, gone by the time we were out – but then, as we made our way along the path, there was another. A grab shot will have to suffice for illustration – they may be big, but they’re hard to find in the viewfinder on maximum zoom, and they don’t exactly pose. A great sight on our last day out up here – soon we’ll be heading south, with fingers crossed for weather and traffic…
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=141484&Y=875643&A=Y&Z=120
Quiraing
27 November: It’s one of the most spectacular landscapes in the British Isles – and the path to the Quiraing from the top of the pass, between Uig and Staffin, is one of the most enjoyable. Its popularity makes the first part of this walk difficult in summer – largely because it’s almost impossible to find anywhere to park. But on a Sunday morning at the end of November, even with such amazingly good weather, there are just six other cars. I’ll meet other walkers along the way, but it is truly quiet here today. The only sound for much of the time is that of the waves breaking on the shore at Staffin, perhaps a mile and a half distant.
The last few times I’ve walked along the path below the Quiraing, I’ve been with others who wouldn’t be persuaded to scramble up into the rocky stronghold, but today I’m alone, so it’s up the steep crumbling slope, behind the needle, through the cleft and onto the table, a remarkable small grassy plateau completely enclosed by the crags. A couple of young walkers are here (one is a “Staffinite”, according to his companion), enjoying the photographic opportunities, but I get the impression that many, if not most, casual visitors give this part of the walk a miss.
The descent back to the contouring path is possibly more difficult than the ascent, but I’m down again, walking on towards Sròn Vourlinn (yes, we were here in August, on the path from Flodigarry) – and I discover the downside to November exploration. I knew that the early sunset would limit my time up here, but hadn’t thought about the effect of the sun’s low angle – much of the path beyond the Quiraing is in deep cold shade. It’s worth it for the additional views that open out eventually – to the north and west, where Lewis and Harris are prominent across the Minch. Can’t afford to hang about though – I’d better get back… What a great day it’s been!
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=144673&Y=869436&A=Y&Z=120
Beauly and Moray
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”
December days on the Mynd
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
Reieval
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.
Steam in the golden hour
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.
The waterworks road
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.
Last of the light
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.
Portree
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.
