Saturday 10 February: after a trip to the shop, there’s time for a short leg-stretch along the Rha Glen road – a little fresh air is what’s needed, and there’s no shortage of it here.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=139730&Y=864772&A=Y&Z=120
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
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?
Friday 9 February: …after a trip on the sleeper (in a seat) to Inverness. I’ve got 15 minutes to catch the 8.55 to Kyle of Lochalsh. I need to buy refreshments for the trip, and take a few photos – is there time? Yes – just!
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
…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
A wander with the camera around Blists Hill Victorian Town – a pleasant way to spend an afternoon.
That’s not the only reason – it’s a great place for an enjoyable walk, especially on a fine afternoon like this. The forecast said the clouds would clear – and they did, on schedule too.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=347500&Y=293335&A=Y&Z=120
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
Friday 26 January: we’re off to the Welsh coast, to see the rebuilt Barmouth Bridge – a remarkable bit of engineering and planning. We’re going by rail, a journey which suffers half-an-hour delay on the way back – leading to unanticipated bonuses at Machynlleth. Silver linings? This little cloud proved to have a golden lining!
There are more photos of the rail-related aspects of this outing and a couple of interesting video links on Geoff’s Rail Pages – visit The new Barmouth Bridge for the full story
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=261750&Y=314630&A=Y&Z=120
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