Getting close to nature

I was looking through the photographs I have taken during the last few months and realised I had there were numerous close-up shots of wild flowers. In the past I have always lent towards landscape photography. Maybe it's because I'm more confident these days so I'm subconsciously seeing and photographing subjects that I never saw before.

I thought I'd blog a page of then as otherwise they would be in danger of not seeing the light of day. Remember beauty is all around us if only we take the time to look. For the people who take the time to look ), even though they are are so-called weeds), I hope you enjoy them.

    

That blasted Sat Nav!

After having been given a taster of the countryside around North Sheffield, I was back a week later to spend a full day in Sal's company. This time we were in her own neck of the woods in the countryside around  Kiveton Park.

  

Kiveton was at the centre of the Miner’s strike of 1984. The local Working Men's Clubs were hotbeds for striking miners of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) who were planning action such as the raising of teams of flying pickets. The pickets objective was to prevent miners in the breakaway Union of Democratic Mineworkers (UDM) in the Nottinghamshire coalfield from attending work.

Kiveton Colliery closed in the early 1990s but the scene was set for their closure after the miners lost the  strike. The miners were on strike for most of a year. In addition to their loss of salary, state benefits were also denied them and their allowance of 1 ton of coal a quarter was also cut off. This resulted in striking miners sifting through the slag heaps in the winter snows of Jan-March 1985 for the nuggets of coal buried in the mud and shale.

People in these parts will never forget those times and will never forgive the Party that did this to them.

     

We  began the day by meeting up in the car park of one of the town's watering holes called the Saxon Hotel. It was quickly decided that some liquid refreshment was required so we sped away from the Saxon and headed for the Red Lion just outside Todwick instead. It looked like an old coaching Inn with wooded beams and had a very olde worlde feel to it. It was very nice.

It was in the Red Lion that we made a few good decisions for the day ahead but also a bad one. The good decisions being to head for Robin Hood country, to call back at the Red Lion for a meal before I headed back home and especially to visit Clumber Park for the afternoon as it held had lots of childhood memories for Sal. The bad decision was to use the Sat Nav she had brought with her and for which she would be held totally responsible for.

 

Once Sal had set the postcode for Clumber Park off we set along the A57 and arrived without too many problems. The lady giving the instructions though had a nasty habit of telling us we were at a certain place a quarter of a mile before we actually were so consequently when she said we had arrived at our destination we were in fact a good half mile off it which nearly resulted in us spending the afternoon on the local Golf Course.  

The entrance to the Country Park was very grand with a tree-lines avenue leading to the main car park and Visitors Centre. So with our entrance money paid and with the grand grounds and lake of the Park set out before us, where did Sal head for? The souvenir tat shop and Garden Centre!!

  

Disappointed that she didn't make a purchased we walked down to the Lake with our cameras. Being the height of summer, the Park was busy but we managed to find a little hidden spot which was far from the madding crowd and had a sit down and a natter. We were disturbed unfortunately by the family from hell with their 4 noisy kids and butch looking Staffordshire Bull Terrier, so reluctantly we beat a hasty retreat..

We then walked along the Lake shore to the Church of ST Mary then Virgin and then through the woods in search of the elusive Pet Cemetery. We later found one at Rufford Park but Sal assured me that there was one at Clumber as well and who was I to argue. It did seem a bit of a coincidence though ;) We did an about turn and walked back to the Visitor Centre and back into the tat shop and Garden Centre! Sal is not a girl to admit defeat where tat is concerned but she had to today. It was then a case of a short journey to a lovely village called Wellow and it's equally lovely pub called The Red Lion; our second Red Lion of the day.

The journey to Wellow was where our Sat Nav adventure really started to go wrong. First of all it sent us through an impressive series of tree-lined avenues only to arrive at a gate which barred our way to the main road. Not to be put off we did a U turn and the Sat Nav duly picked up another route. This time it took us through other tree-lines avenues, out of the woodland and across the end of the lake via a ford which was very attractive. It then took us round another corner and back into the woodland. Yes you've guessed it, we ended up at another gate which barred our way to the main road again! 

I think at this point we decided just to do away with the Sat Nav and just get the hell out of there. Back on the main road and with another postcode entered, we found Wellow with no problem at all only to fly past the end of the road where the pub was situated and then back out into the countryside. There's no flies on Sal, as soon as we hit the fields again outside the village she declared "I think we should have turned off back there". Much laughing and giggling later we pulled into the Red Lion car park for some much needed refreshments.

The pub is in a lovely position on the village green. At the centre of the village green stands the  60 foot high Wellow Maypolewhich can be traced as far back as 1856.

We then decided to end our day by going to Rufford Park. We arrived (according to the Sat Nav) half a mile before we got there! Just as we parked up in the car park, the heavens opened. We amused ourselves for 10 mins and then went to have a look around the gardens only to find out that the place had actually closed and we had only 10 mins to get out or we would be locked in the grounds all night! Licking our wounds, we set the Sat Nav for the first Red Lion again where we arrived for burger and chips and a final pint and natter in the pub.

 
There is never a dull moment on days out, they are so enjoyable and a laugh from start to finish. I can't wait for the next one.

 No more mishaps, no more missed turnings, just big, big hugs as we said goodbye to each other and big big laughs at that blasted Sat Nav!

The photos are a mixture of mine and Sal's.

Me and my shadow

These photo's were taken on a walk around Tarn Hows with Chris, Dave and their grandchildren Jessica, Jack and Katie.

All three are lovely kids and I've met then all before but Katie seemed to latch on to me this time. She is the sweetest little thing you could ever imagine.

I got to know all of her life story that day and was privileged to enter her own little world for a couple of hours. She rabbited on about all sorts different things as we walked around the tarn and up on to Black Fell, most of which I understood. The moments where she lost me completely, I soon realised that a simple "yes" was sufficient to keep her happy.

















All three of the kids were great, Jessica took the lead on the rush for the top even though she was the one with the big rucksack on. Jack quickly followed and as soon as the going got easier and the path clearer, Katie was off like a shot to join her brother and sister. Dave was next one on top and brought a bit of calmness to the proceedings whilst me and Chris sauntered up taking photos of the lovely views over the Langdale Fells.




Going up the steeper bits Katie held my hand and let me help her and she also held my hand as she skipped back around the Tarn. She melted my heart that day bless her.

A full Vaux picnic consisting of sandwiches, pies, sausage rolls, fruit, pop and mini Cheddars was held at the summit which was followed by a scamper back down with a hope of catching the Ice Cream van in the car park. Unfortunately we were too late and he had gone but we made up for it by calling in at the Drunken Duck at Barnsegate to sample their excellent beverages.










A grand day out Gromit !!

Rathad nan Eilean.

The Road to the Isles leaves Glenfinnan,  passing through a series of narrow gorges until it reaches Loch Eilt. It then follows the River Ailort, through another gorge  which is towered over by Rois-bheinn and An Stac which are not far off being Munros. The shore of Loch Ailort is then skirted before the road rises past Our Lady of the Braes Roman Catholic Church at Polnish; this was made famous by the film Local Hero starring Burt Lancaster which is about an American oil company who sends a man to Scotland to buy up an entire village where they want to build a refinery.

 

The road then drops down to a sea loch called Loch nan Uamh which is where

Prince Charles Edward Stuart (Bonnie Prince Charlie) landed on 5th August 1745. In 1746, after the battle of Culloden, he returned here as a fugitive with a price of £30,000 on his head. Loch nan Uamh means "The Loch of the Cave".

It is then a short drive along the newly upgraded A830T to Arisaig whish is set in it's own little ampitheatre and has stunning views across to Rhum, Eigg and Muck. It's beautiful sands and coves have such romantic place names as Keppoch, Portnaluchaig, Camas an Daraich (known as Camusdarach) and Morar.

 

This is also Local Hero country with many of the coastal scenes filed on these beaches.

 

 

It is also a fine place to view The Isle of Skye with it's impressive Cuillin Ridge. The fishing and ferry port of Mallaig is only a short drive from here and is where the Road to the Isles finishes.

This area is also renowned sunsets with the setting sun going down behind the Small Isles.

The sunset photographs were taken  Feb 2008.

Loch Shiel

The Road to the Isles (Rathad nan Eilean) is like a magnet, I am drawn to it everytime I visit the Highlands. I never tire of the 40 or so miles of pure beauty from Fort William to Mallaig. Well most of it is pure beauty, I have to admit that it might not start off too good! The drive to Mallaig and the return via Sunart, Moidart and Ardgour is a day well spent.



Roughly 15 miles out of Fort William is Glenfinnan and the head of Loch Shiel, a place steeped in history and romance. Situated at the head of Loch Shiel is the Glenfinnan Monument.

         "Glenfinnan Monument tells a tale of bravery and loyalty and commemorates the fight and the fall of the Jacobites during the 1745 uprising. A tower that stands tall with a lone un-named Highlander posed atop in full kilt marks the spot where Prince Charles Edward Stewart, known as Bonnie Prince Charlie raised his standard. It was James Gillespie Graham who designed the monument that was then erected in 1815 by Alexander Macdonald of Glenaladale.
The story of the raising of the standard is widely known in Scotland. In the early afternoon of August 19 1745 Bonnie Prince Charlie landed a small rowboat at the head of the Loch Shiel meeting 50 Macdonalds and awaiting the response to the support her requested all over Scotland’s Highland.

Soon another 150 Macdonalds joined the scene and hearts raced and soared as 1000 men of the Clan Cameron appeared from the north.
An additional 300 Macdonalds arrived late having fended a skirmish with government troops on the way.
With 1500 men behind him in support Prince Charles Edward Steward stood atop a hill and raised his standard."  - http://www.glenfinnan.org/Glenfinnan_Monument.html



The Loch is surrounded by hills on three sides and is a place of remarkable beauty. It is a photographer's paradise and I hope you enjoy my photos of the Loch.

The big drive up.

Across on the A66, up the M6 and on to the M74.  The M73 is next and then the M8. Over the Erskine Bridge to join the A82. A few miles of urban sprawl and I end up on the finest drive in Great Britain!


The drive along the side of beautiful Loch Lomond is magical as I pass Luss, Inverbeg, Tarbet, Inverglus, Ardlui and into Glen Falloch. The Loch can be narrow and winding in places but it now starts to open up. I have already passed Ben Ime, Ben Vane and Ben Vorlich which can't be seen from the narrow and enclosed A82 but as the road opens up, I see the true grandeur of the Highlands.









There are glimpses of An Caisteil, Cruach Ardrain and Beinn Chabhair and I now speedily make my way to Crianlarich. Onwards through Tyndrum and the Bridge of Orchy, I pass Ben More, Beinn Dorain, Beinn a Dothaidh and Loch Tula before I rise up to the bleak but immensely beautiful and impressive Rannoch Moor. 


I defy anyone to drive along the Moor and not stop to take in it's vastness and grandeur. I certainly can't pass without parking up and walking the soggy half mile down to the shore of Lochan na' h-Achlaise which is in a picture postcard setting with the hills of The Black Mount towering over it.

Then the route really starts to become grand as I approach Glen Coe (the Glen of the weeping). This is  where the McDonald clan was slaughtered by the Cambell clan in early in the morning of 13 February 1692 because they wouldn't sign the Oath of allegiance to King William. http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/scottishhistory/union/trails_union_glencoe.shtml. 

I drive past Sron na Creise and the Buachaille Etive 
Mor (The Grand Herdsman of Etive), before I drop down into the haunting Glen with The Three Sisters of Glen Coe on the left (Beinn Fhada, Gearr Aonach and Aonach Dubh). These are three rugged satellites of  Bidean nam Bian, the highest hill in Argyle at 3,658 feet.

The right side of the Glen is enclosed by the Aonach Eagach ridge, supposedly the hardest rocks scramble in mainland Scotland which can make the top of the Glen an intimidating and claustrophobic place to be.


I pass Ballachullish which lies at the foot of Glen Coe the follow the road above Loch Leven to Kinlochleven which at one was the home of the British Aluminum Company but it is now just an outdoor resort. The small town is towered over by the hills of the Mamore forest which is are sign for all West Highland Way walker's that the end of their trek will soon be in sight.


It's then back on to the A82 and a simple drive alongside Loch Linnhe to my destination for the next two nights.....Fort William.

The Old Brown Horse :

On the minor road to Scarness Bay in Cumbria, there has been a small stable where 2 two horses have lived for years. On passing it the other week with Dave and Chris, we noticed an R.I.P sign and only one horse. He or she looked so sad and forlorn.

As shown in it's eyes, it was obviously missing it's old mate. Thanks to Sal for the verse which it is rather apt.

 
The Old Brown Horse :

The old brown horse looks over the fence
In a weary sort of way.
He seems to be saying to all who pass:
“Well, folks, I've had my day-
I'm simply watching the world go by,
And nobody seems to mind,
As they're dashing past in their motor-cars,
A horse who is lame and half-blind.”


The old brown horse has a shaggy coat,
But once he was young and trim,
And he used to trot through the woods and lanes
With the man who was fond of him.
But his master rides in a motor-car,
And it makes him feel quite sad
When he thinks of the days that used to be, and of all the times they had.


Sometimes a friendly soul will stop
Near the fence, where the tired old head
Rests wearily on the topmost bar,
And a friendly word is said.
Then the old brown horse gives a little sigh
As he feels the kindly touch
Of a hand on his mane or his shaggy coat,
And he doesn't mind so much.


So if you pass by the field one day,
Just stop for a word or two
With the old brown horse who was once as young
And as full of life as you.
He'll love the touch of your soft young hand,
And I know he'll seem to say
“Oh, thank you, friend, for the kindly thought
For a horse who has had his day.”


By W. F. Holmes