Repeat performance?

On By geoffspagesIn Photography, Shropshire hills, WalksLeave a comment

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

Walking in reverse – the Skye Trail

On By geoffspagesIn Photography, Skye, Walks1 Comment

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

North-east coastal wanderings

On By geoffspagesIn PhotographyLeave a comment

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

Farewell to the fairies

On By geoffspagesIn Photography, Skye, WalksLeave a comment

Skye, 28 September A friend, intent on visiting Skye, sent me a list of 20 places to visit on the island (found on a website somewhere, I guess). What did I think? I suggested, cruelly but realistically, that if he avoided those places he might enjoy his visit. (We have ‘honeypots’ in Shropshire too. They help to keep all the other attractive places quiet…)
This afternoon the wind was still howling north of Uig, but it remained dry. Somewhere sheltered would be good for a walk (avoid clifftops etc…) – perhaps I would take a walk from Uig, up to the Fairy Glen (one of the 20 mentioned earlier). Geographically, it’s a magical place, but as the years have gone by, it’s become busier and busier. At the end of September, might it not be too bad? All I can say is, it must truly be a nightmare during the main holiday season. I really can’t imagine any of the fairies would want to stay there a minute longer – they’ve gone, I’m sure. As I dodged the seemingly endless procession of cars, camper vans and minibuses, I thought to myself that this might be my farewell to the Fairy Glen too – unless we find ourselves up here in the darkest months of winter. It might then retain a glimmer of its former magic.

View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map?X=140810&Y=863137&A=Y&Z=120