ABOUT ME

I live in a camper van with a West Highland Terrier for company.
My passion is creating images but it is a work in progress.
I am always willing to share what knowledge I have and can be contacted through the comments on this post or e-mail ADRIAN
ALL IMAGES WILL ENLARGE WITH A LEFT CLICK

Wednesday 1 May 2013

WANDERING. (01/0513)

Happy Mayday to you all.

This morning the rain was beating down on the van roof, I couldn’t shift the dogs from their nests but eventually their flatulence drove me out for a shower. I came back sparkling bright and smelling of soap to find the little devils had decided it was time to get up. So off we wandered into the woods looking for naked virgins and pagan sacrifices. Scotland must be civilised now….no sign of either the sacrifice or the virgins, no sign of people at all. Ho Hum! Perhaps I’m in the wrong area.

I have always assumed that lake and loch heads are where the water flows in……I have never heard of a lake or loch tail. As two rivers flow into Loch Tay at Killin I am going to call it the loch head.

I usually walk in either wellies or trainers. I was in wellies today but was defeated by this.IMG_0273_4_5_tonemapped copy  I wouldn’t want to poke this morass with a stick. Unfortunately both dogs dived in. Filthy they were but they seem to enjoy exploring disgusting places. They deserve to be gobbled up by the beast in the swamp.

IMG_0276_7_8_tonemapped copy   We escaped the swamp for a bog. A rainy windswept bog. The loch is where the trees start. not much chance of perfect images so I retreated back to the old railway track bed.

IMG_0282_3_4_tonemapped2 copy   The river Dochart….I spelt it Dochert in a previous post. What's an ‘A’ between friends? I’m sorry about the building site but did make a bit of effort and remove the crane,

IMG_0285_6_7_tonemapped copy Eventually we came out at the Falls of Dochart. Nothing is straight in this image. I have shoved it every which way but the right way.  The best views of these falls are from here. I’m standing on a single track bridge with traffic passing an inch away. So are the dogs….they keep under. The tourist cars are worse than the lorries. Trucks wait for us on the wide bit but Mr Geriatric Volvo has not a care for the world but for his car and himself.

IMG_0288_89_90_tonemapped copy Killin Grain Mill. It was built around 1645…..finished on June the 14th 1645 at 11am….Only kidding. It’s now something else but was shut. I like the building but can’t imagine it’s interior holding magic for me.

IMG_0291_2_3_tonemapped copy     They have rebuilt the wheel. It appears to be an undershot wheel. It matters not at all as it no longer drives anything. It could be generating electricity but folk prefer wind mills. Sorry about the blurry bits I had to get rid of a giant spotlight. It must be lit up at night from wind mill electricity.

I’m getting used to Scotland. I called at the CO-OP and managed to purchase a bottle of campanology. The first for weeks. They don’t sell drink before ten here. It must be to allow the drunks a lie in. I am usually doing shopping before eight in a morning.

It’s a grand place. I’m moving a mile up the road to avoid the bank holiday weekend. I also fancy taking pictures of nature and not competing with Shortbread Tin images. I enjoy high contrast images and like taking them but enough is enough for a while.

I may or may not have internet when I move. I’ll catch up with comments in the morning before I go.

Have fun and try and be good.

24 comments:

  1. Hi The fotos are beautifull, I love the mood of nostalgia in these, really nice.

    happy first may to you!

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  2. yet again ,a great post, great photos........I know that you move around a great deal, but is there a place you call home turf ?

    peter

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    1. Home turf is probably within twenty miles of Sheffield. It is a shit hole but I can get along with people there.

      I don't mind you asking but Milton Keynes is ten times worse.....I like Keith and Trevor and suspect I would like Douglas.

      The Forest of Dean, I have never seen...it has endless wildlife. Next time I'm down you must give me the tour, I have asked other Deaners but never got a positive response. I guess it's private.

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  3. Laura, get your backside over here. Perhaps not, there is far better scenery in Switzerland.
    You do what you do best.

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  4. Happy Mayday, lovely images especially the old mill. Hope you have a great week!

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  5. You seem to be getting on well with your camera up there... :)

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    1. Monica, I'm settled with the new systems now.

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  6. het is best een mooi gebied en moeras heeft ook voordelen.

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  7. You've had a great day wondering around with two dogs around a couple of rivers and a bog and then an old mill. I'm sure you enjoyed your outing. It makes for a great post.

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    1. It was a good walk Red. A bit damp though.

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  8. That's amazing you're in Scotland! You have a real traveling spirit!

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    1. I'll be here for a while Maria. There is plenty to see and do.

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  9. Great images of Scotland, the best is the watermill, superb.

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  10. I too like the watermill, however if it's working I would love to have a look inside, due to the fact I'm sad and love looking at mechanical thingy's (proper tech talk that) :)

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    1. Douglas, I too would have been in like a shot but the mill race has been blocked off and I couldn't see any machinery through the window. It looks like a craft shop.

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  11. The fixed wheel makes something sad lurch in my insides. Cruelty to mills.!

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    1. Lucy i looked it up on the internet and apparently it can work but the mill has closed down. I'll get back in opening hours and have a look.

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  12. Here we have entered the grockle season looking at the number of touring caravans heading towards the coast. Many drivers seemed to be numerically challenged as far as noticing the 30mph signs.
    Your experience in the Co-op reminded me of the days when the local shop had a curtain to cover the booze section before midday on Sundays.

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  13. John, I blame your old colleagues if they worked a full year then holiday months would be peaceful.

    Things have moved on and drunkenness is not really a problem I encounter.
    Whiskey is cheaper in Scotland where they introduced a minimum price for alcohol than it is in England. Very odd!

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  14. I found the bridge a source of annoyance too. An impressive view like that & some angry car driver wants to be past to visit the gift shop ! Funny, the mill was closed when I stopped there although there was a ferocious looking statue of a bear placed there I'm sure to frighten people away. Lastly I couldn't believe the lay by assigned for all the coaches stopping in Killin for afternoon tea in the hotel .... they thought it was a strange request but they put me a sandwich together just before a walk up Ben Lawers.

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  15. Jay, the mill is closed now.
    I will not be going near Killin again till winter.

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