Category: Photography

Just photos – no particular theme

Duntulm and Cnoc Roll

On By geoffspagesIn Photography, Skye, WalksLeave a comment

Sunday 11 February: visitors to Skye flock to it in their thousands during the season, though I suspect most of them drive away thinking “what was that all about?”. Its situation may be dramatic, but it’s hardly Tantallon, Eilean Donan or Dunnottar – there’s very little left of Duntulm castle. The parking space beside the road provides me with a starting place for this short walk, and I’ll start with a look at the castle from the shore.

Five minutes later I’m heading past the former coastguard cottages to take the farm track around the back of Cnoc Roll, a small hill topped by a radio mast. The track goes all the way round, but at the half-way mark an old way leads to the opposite hillside, for great views and a slightly longer walk. There are no paths up here, but the way is pretty obvious, if steep and in places soggy…

View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=141205&Y=874010&A=Y&Z=120

 

Rain forest

On By geoffspagesIn Photography, SkyeLeave a comment

Monday 12 February: no, it’s not a forest – just a strip of woodland by the shore of Uig bay. ‘Just’ is, however, understatement. It’s a tiny fragment of temperate rain forest. Look at it! Mosses and lichen everywhere in profusion. The liverwort is amazing – great green cabbage-like growths, while the extensive moss, covering everything that hasn’t moved for a while, is – green! The threatened rain is now falling heavily – we’ll scuttle back along along the path before we’re soaked

View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=139475&Y=863874&A=Y&Z=115

A stranger at Uig

On By geoffspagesIn Photography, Skye1 Comment

Monday 12 February: Driving into Uig around lunchtime, we looked to the sea. “The ferry’s coming in”. Doesn’t usually arrive just now – usually gets in around 1.30. It’s a funny shape too – rather squat and low in the water… The binoculars make it clear – it’s catamaran Alfred belonging to Pentland Ferries. A little later, an internet check solved the puzzle. It’s on hire to Calmac from today, while the Hebrides goes in for scheduled overhaul. It should soon be replaced by Calmac’s Clansman, fresh from its own overhaul. Will we see it? Three different vessels in a week?

Gathering pace

On By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hills, WalksLeave a comment

The days are getting noticeably longer, and the seasonal changes are becoming more noticeable. There are hundreds of snowdrops everywhere, the celandines are coming into flower, and up Bould Lane (it’s quite sheltered) hawthorn is coming into leaf. Plenty of time yet for wintry weather, but spring can’t be far over the horizon.

View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=367575&Y=297830&A=Y&Z=120

The first…

On By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hills, WalksLeave a comment

…of February. The first crocus flower appeared in the garden today, the first celandines are appearing here and there, and in the fields (some distance from the path I’m on) are the first lambs I’ve seen this year. 2024 is gathering pace! Just a little sunshine now and then, not a breath of wind – once again, it’s good to be out on a fine day.

View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=365610&Y=302500&A=Y&Z=120

Darley and Willey

On By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hills, WalksLeave a comment

The sun’s there somewhere – it’s trying! There are a few patches of blue in the sky, but they never quite coincide with the sun’s position. Not to worry – it’s not raining, and it’s drier underfoot than it’s been for a while. I’m taking to the fields and unsurfaced tracks, down to Dean Brook and Darley, then past the Honeypot (yes, really!) to Willey. I’m on my way home now, heading over the hill to Deancorner and along the farm lane back towards the start. A pleasant afternoon – it’s good to be out.

 

View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=367695&Y=300145&A=Y&Z=120