Firth of Forth South

On 02 Nov 201302 Nov 2013 By geoffspagesIn Photography, WalksLeave a comment

27 Oct: We’re beside the firth again today, on an afternoon of bright sunshine, a stiff breeze and the threat of showers. The area around Gullane may be best known for its golf courses, but the beach is superb, a sweep of sand backed by dunes and invasive (but colourful) sea buckthorn bushes. At the west end of the bay are rocks, separated by sandy gaps, and more shells (mostly broken fragments) than we’ve seen anywhere recently. Looming clouds from the west caused us to curtail our explorations; a sharp shower followed our return to the car, free of all cobwebs… Must come here again one day.

East Neuk

On 01 Nov 201327 Nov 2018 By geoffspagesIn PhotographyLeave a comment

26 Oct: Staying in Edinburgh for the weekend – how about a trip to the fishing villages in Fife? We’d been to St Monans before, but not to Anstruther or Pittenweem, just a mile or two further east. The sun shone for about five minutes, perhaps less – sunlight on the attractive buildings around the picturesque harbours would have been good, but at least it was dry and bright. The views across the Forth are extensive, with Arthur’s Seat and the castle clearly on view to the south-west, while the cement works near Dunbar (not quite so picturesque) is marked by a plume of steamy smoke east of south. There are good refreshments to be had too…

Anstruther

Pittenween

St Monans

Self-portrait, Whitby

On 29 Oct 201329 Nov 2013 By geoffspagesIn PhotographyLeave a comment

Self-portrait, Whitby, a photo by geoffspages on Flickr.

A rare sighting of geoffspages, trying to stay sane while the household authorities explore a shop full of wool, yarn (spelled “yawn”) etc. in Whitby

Filey dog-walkers

On 29 Oct 201329 Nov 2013 By geoffspagesIn PhotographyLeave a comment

Filey dog-walkers, a photo by geoffspages on Flickr.

Late afternoon sunshine lights the mud cliffs at Filey on the Yorkshire coast

Whitby pier

On 29 Oct 201329 Nov 2013 By geoffspagesIn PhotographyLeave a comment

Whitby pier, a photo by geoffspages on Flickr.

Bright autumn sunshine on the north pier at Whitby harbour

Anstruther Curlew

On 28 Oct 201329 Nov 2013 By geoffspagesIn PhotographyLeave a comment

Anstruther Curlew, a photo by geoffspages on Flickr.

This chap was pottering about on the sand at Anstruther, Fife, a lone curlew amongst dozens of gulls

Stormy water

On 27 Oct 201329 Nov 2013 By geoffspagesIn PhotographyLeave a comment

Stormy water, a photo by geoffspages on Flickr.

A bulk carrier is anchored in the Forth, seen from the southern shore near Gullane

Anstruther shore

On 27 Oct 201329 Nov 2013 By geoffspagesIn PhotographyLeave a comment

Anstruther shore, a photo by geoffspages on Flickr.

Dog walkers on the beach at Anstruther, Fife

Long Mynd in October

On 23 Oct 201324 Oct 2013 By geoffspagesIn Photography, WalksLeave a comment

We’re into the darkest four months – there’s little sunshine in the deep valleys of the Long Mynd, but it’s great on the top, given a decent day – and this was a decent day. In fact it was much better than that – bright (and directional) sunshine, clear air, a cool breeze – what more could one ask? The night’s rain was rushing down the valley below the Light Spout waterfall, but the paths on top were generally good – just the odd soggy corner…

I walked to the highest point of the Long Mynd, at Pole Bank, then headed back along the ridge south of Townbrook Valley to descend on easy grassy slopes. A bank of cloud had been sitting stubbornly over the Mynd for the last half-hour or so, clearing (inevitably) as I dropped into the shade of the hills.