You didn’t think I was going to come all the way to Scotland to work and not get a walk in, did you? This is about an hour north of Dundee by road, the southern edge of the Cairngorms National Park. Here we are about 2,600 feet above sea level, at the head of Glen Clova. A good walk today.
“OK, I might have a bit of a silly tail. But I live in a cooler place than you.”
And yes, that’s snow in May.
Sometimes there are days — and associated weather forecasts — on which one has to admit (for the sake of general sanity and effectiveness in life) that one’s personal priorities are more important than one’s paid employment. I rearranged a few things as a result. And yes, I like being out in countryside like this, as did the gentleman pictured here, who I slowly caught up over the course of a mile or two and was able to use to give a good sense of scale. This is a desolate spot, but worth reaching. You can see more photos from the day on my other blog.
At least since Christmas Day it’s been a pleasant break with lots of chances to get outdoors. It’s no coincidence that there’ve been plenty of landscape shots on here in the last 10 days, and here’s another one. The whole house goes back to work and/or school tomorrow: which I guess is the case for many of us. H0pe you had a good one.
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.
Being 42 