University doesn’t reopen until Monday so I took advantage of this fact and a reasonable weather forecast to do another Lake District walk (written up in full on my other blog). The Duddon Valley slices through the south-west of the district. Walking in winter like this does lead to more time spent outdoors in the ‘golden hour’, thus plenty of chances for shots like this one.
Pictured towards the end of the 15-mile walk I did today, heading north from Ulverston, Cumbria, and dropping down to the Duddon estuary near Kirkby-in-Furness. The wind farm is offshore; the sheep defiantly onshore, both represent the same thing at heart. More pictures from the day (and I have several that I like) will be on my walking blog later today.
Think landscapes are easy to photograph? No! Landscapes are capricious and complex. Like women. You have to get them in the mood, and when they’re there, don’t hang around — it might not last long.
A walk in the Lakes. Specifically, around the southern tip of Windermere. Generally a very nice day except for about 90 minutes of clouds and squally drizzle around lunchtime; at the point this photo was taken things were mostly cleared up. This is the summit of Gummer’s How, a small peak at the end of the lake, and famous (rightly) for its view. These Luing cattle live permanently on the fell and maintain the flora, so we are informed by the noticeboard at the point where the path leaves the road, anyway.
Another Lake District walk today. I was sat down having my lunch on the summit of Arthur’s Pike (1747 feet above sea level) when this other walker came over to admire the view and I just snapped him from below, the Pennines in the background. More photos and text will appear on my other blog tomorrow, but not tonight. A cloudy day, as you can see; OK for walking but June is never a great month for photography.
This is probably England’s most isolated front room, being located in the mountain bothy (hut) that is Mosedale Cottage in the Lake District. I have used it on this blog before, on 31/8/12 to be precise. I like the fact that in one of the remotest spots I know, one can come in and have lunch sat on a three-piece suite and (thanks to another hiker who was present at this point, but not pictured) read the daily paper, seen on the couch to the right.
Among Edinburgh’s many endearing qualities is the fact that it has a mountain right in the middle of the city. OK, so Arthur’s Seat is only a little mountain, but it’s rugged and you have to do some scrambling to get to the very top. It’s great to get up to somewhere like this and still be down again in time to start work by 10am, which is what I did this morning.
A good dry stone wall evolves. It’s built, yes, but with the landscape, not despite it.
Beautiful day today, one of those February days in which spring can be felt in the air for the first time. Oh, I know it won’t last. But it was good to be outside today, even if this path was damned muddy.
I’ve been stuck in the house for eight days straight. Goddammit, I was getting out today. I may still be contagious but out in a place like this, who cares?
Being 42 