Just photos – no particular theme
Fungi in the forest (and chestnuts under the trees). It’s still wet underfoot, but the paths around Comer Woods are mostly mud-free and very walkable. There are lots of interesting fungi, though most seem to be of the same kind, and there are fallen chestnuts everywhere. The squirrels think it’s Christmas!
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=374885&Y=289885&A=Y&Z=120
Water, water everywhere! There’s a temporary lake at Willey, and the roads are running with it. The fields look sodden – I think we’ll be avoiding them for a day or two. At least the clouds are clearing – the sky is becoming blue.
View OS map in Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=367470&Y=298250&A=Y&Z=120
Sunday 15 October It’s bright and breezy today. The forecast thinks it will be dry and sunny all day – we really must head for the hills. The Bog Centre will be open – let’s head for the Stiperstones. The views are wonderful, and with the sun lower in the sky now, it’s atmospheric too. Perfect! Now for the tea and cakes!
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=336360&Y=298305&A=Y&Z=120
About four weeks ago – just before we set off on our trip to the north – I had a very pleasant wander through the fields between Bould Lane and the river (see ‘Run for it!‘). I met three fallow deer, two of which were an unusual dark colour, found a tree very heavily laden with crab apples (perfect for jelly, but I had no means of carrying them), then found my way blocked by a fallen tree. What will I find today? I’ll take a bag…
There were two deer away across the other side of the lower field, by Birch Wood – two of the three I saw last time, I’d guess. They’ve spotted me. Then came the tree – almost all the apples had gone, though I was still able to pick a reasonable quantity (I need much longer arms). The blocked path? No change there! As I retraced my earlier steps, I watched a red kite quartering the far edge of the fields, by the wood. Not a repeat performance, but would I want that? An enjoyable afternoon!
Vies OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=368755&Y=298755&A=Y&Z=120
Toadstools, timber and – chestnuts!
On 6 October, I had a ride from St Andrew Square in Edinburgh down the newly-extended tramway to Leith and Newhaven – and walked back, camera in hand. There’s a sample below; for the full story and photos, visit ‘Trams to Newhaven‘ on Geoff’s Rail Diaries – just published…
Thursday 12 September A quick leg-stretch – from Bedlam, up the hill and over to Coalbrookdale, then back beside the Severn
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=367350&Y=303885&A=Y&Z=120
Skye, 4 October It starts at the (possibly well-known) phone box at the Shulista road end, and heads for the cliffs of Meall Tuath, high above Rubha Hunish – Skye’s northernmost point. It then swings south-eastwards, skirting the rim of spectacular cliffs before cutting across a grassy ridge to arrive at the old Balmaqueen churchyard (and continue down through Trotternish and the Cuillins to Broadford, some 128km in total). I’m starting at Balmaqueen, walking the first three or four miles of the trail in reverse to arrive at the phone box. To complete this circular walk I’ll walk back along the road – not a part of the trail, but it’s no great hardship.
I only realised this path had been created when I studied the OpenStreetMap (see below). We’re setting out on the long journey home in the morning: almost literally, along the clifftops, I’m going out on a high!
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=142359&Y=875513&A=Y&Z=120
Skye, 3 October It’s been a wet a windy morning, but in the afternoon, the showers are fewer and further between – let’s chance it with a walk down to the rocks at Camus Mòr. The wind could be blowing up some photogenic waves…
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=137890&Y=870558&A=Y&Z=120
North-east Scotland, 1 October It’s over 80 miles, as the crow flies, from Inverness to Fraserburgh, where the north-facing coast swings around to face the east. We’re exploring roughly midway, a 15-mile stretch between Buckie and Macduff with interesting coastal scenery and a variety of ports and harbours, from the large commercial facilities at each end to the photogenic little gem of Portsoy. Not to mention the Cullen skink* at Findochty…
*Smoked haddock soup!
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=355300&Y=864325&A=Y&Z=130
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