What a day, it snowed a wee bit overnight and I took the dogs a walk in the dark. It still doesn’t get light here till around nine. Then I packed the truck and went to take pictures of the waterfall in Glencoe. When I drove down the glen on Wednesday it was a magnificent cataract.
It was off to Fort William for some provisions at Morrison’s, some decent diesel from BP and a new pair of trainers from the Ellis Brigham emporium.
I only wear Meindl approach shoes, wellies or big boots for crampons. Meindl come in all shapes and sizes and fit and don’t skid. They are so expensive that for the last six months of their life I have wet feet. I wear them till the uppers part company with the soles; the soles are precious thin by this stage and for months I’ve felt every pebble I’ve walked on……I forgot Ellis Brigham…..I still have wet feet and can not only feel pebbles but the pattern in the Linoleum on the van floor.
Forgetting is in the past.
I set off up the Great Glen. I called in at the Nevis Range Mountain Resort to see if they took campers. Unlike Glencoe it appears they don’t.
I passed through Spean Bridge and stopped at the Commando Memorial. I was going to take it’s picture but it started snowing and a coach load of Chinese engulfed it.
On we motored up the glen and stopped at Loch Lochy. Same day but ten miles and fifteen minutes apart. Beautiful.
I arrived at Fort Augustus, showed yesterdays creation and was admitted, After fifteen miles of uphill and downhill on mostly single, snowy track road we arrived at Foyers and our home for a few days or weeks.
It has been a day of good and bad but I’m happy. I got a snap fit for my desktop, That’s two pictures I like in a month.
Tomorrow I’ll show you Loch Ness it is a hundred yards from the van and had I had the foresight to buy whiskey I could show you the monster that lurks in her depths. Have fun.
Hi Adrian so glad you are happy. Your snow scenes are great but my favorite is number 4. very atmospheric.
ReplyDeleteMargaret, you picked the right one. I felt disturbed when this snow squall came in. I wish I'd stopped to get the statue of the Commandos now. I'll regret it.
ReplyDeleteIt's stunning scenery like this that makes all the travel worth while Adrian. You've captured some beautiful vistas here, keep them coming...[;o)
ReplyDeleteTrevor, it can be good if you don't let the bad outweigh the good. This was a lucky day out.
DeleteAdrian, I found it difficult to guage the scale of that waterfall in those first two photos. Is it the angle you have taken them from, a lack if depth and perspective. How bid was the waterfall drop?
ReplyDeleteBig ~ not bid :)
DeleteCarol, so do I. Accept what you can't understand. This is not Photoshop but me working a maga expensive lens. It's supposed to be sharp front to back.
DeleteThe waterfall is about 15-20 metres or yards tall.
You teachers. I don't know.
I drove a big truck for nine miles in slushy snow to give you a disappointing piccky. C'est la vie.
I am not disappointed at all Adrian. But I was surprised to read that you were only happy with two pics from the last month. I know, I know ~ you are a fickle artist. Thanks for giving me that scale ~ just dwarfed by the mountains in the distance and it is difficult to let the eye settle on the waterfall when there is so much happening behind it.
DeleteCarol the one I like is #4. The waterfall was a disappointment to me, I had been looking forward to it for a few days. It is a problem with this lens things can be too sharp.
DeleteGreat images, number 4 with the very low cloud is truly amazing.
ReplyDeleteDouglas, #4 has no noise and is a keeper. I just hope the lens is. I mopped it up lovingly with posh kitchen roll. I use Virgina Blitz.
DeletePS> I've looked what use and as I'd hate to mislead it's called Regina Blitz Original. Soaks up owt it does.
DeleteYou and Margaret like number 4? You know there are Dwarves who make swords you can kill demons with? I like 5 and 6. Not sure which I like best.
ReplyDeleteI never wear out shoes anymore. But I do wear them occasionally and my fav Winter shoes are Timberline hiking boots. They do need a bit of waxing when you first get them to protect the leather...
Ah! After seeing Douglas' comment I sort of understand. Y'all are photographers. You see and understand things I don't.
DeleteDavid, you understand, we are chasers of light. It is much more complicated than that. I am a numpty. To get images sharp to back is middling to easy to get exposure anything like gets a pain. Easy in B&W on film virgin...sorry verging on the impossible with colour reversal film. Fuji Velvia is not a tolerant medium to work in. Don't half make me think though.
DeleteI'll blast a couple or five rolls of film next time we have a nice day in a nice place.
The really dark image I like. The rest are just snaps. all taken with a tripod though.
Don't argue with Douglas. He swings a lens by hand that weighs the same as my Bertha.
David it's art. If you don't like it then say so. It is just an image. No more, no less.
Adrian, the last thing I would ever want to do is offend or insult you. Too often I'm flip trying to be funny about something I shouldn't. I'm sorry. Of course it is art. And I do think it is a great picture. I just couldn't look at it too long because it reminds me of the horrific tornadoes we've had in our area.
DeleteDavid, don't panic. Americans don't do irony. We Brits do and just let stuff wash over us and then we bear a grudge.
DeleteAdrian what are you yet again in a beautiful area
ReplyDeleteIt is beautiful. I saw the first Dutch camper van of the year today.
DeleteReally great cascading water in them hills. I love them.
ReplyDeleteBob, I love it up here. The weather cooperated today.
DeleteIt's part of the world I know well Adrian... a shame you didn't get a shot of the commando monument.
ReplyDeleteAndrew, I did but it was crap.
DeleteI agree about light making good photos. I think you like dramatic light best and I sometimes prefer the subtle light in shots you dismiss. (Here I agree with you though). Here in southern Australia I find bright overcast midday light the worst. Jean
ReplyDeleteJayview, yes I like wild skies. Lots of big wet clouds with little dry gaps between to let a bit of light in.
DeleteLovely wild pictures Adrian...So you scorn the idea of the Loch Ness Monster? Keep your eyes skinned sir. I saw it when I was a boy - opposite Urquhart Castle from the military road
ReplyDeleteYP, I have yet to see it but am hopeful. If we get a few wet days then I'll create one in Blender.
DeleteIt is amazing how today lifted my mood. It's turned chilly and feels like winter. The snow tyres earned their keep and all is well with my world.
It's interesting that you didn't move very far and you have snow on the hills. Your weather is like here. we say if you don't like the weather wait 20 minutes. You have also left the green country and here the plants are frozen or brown. Keep safe and warm. make sure you spend the money on shoes because there's no sense in being cheap and falling on your ass.
ReplyDeleteRed, sixty miles from loch Linnhe. I am getting desperate for new shoes. Herethey say that if you can't see across Loch Ness it's raining and if you can it's about to start.
DeleteYou have taken beautiful photos Adrian!
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteI'm having a brief visit to Blogland. You are making me feel homesick for Scotland. I can't really understand why given that I'm sweltering in the high 20s℃.
ReplyDeleteGraham, I don't envy you that heat. It's fine here now the gales and rain have gone.
DeleteA little dusting of snow makes the world look rather different, doesn't it. As does a ray of sunshine! I like the dramatic middle picture.
ReplyDeleteMonica, yes it makes a world of difference. I'm off to Braemar on Wednesday. It should be really cool and crisp there.
DeleteGood grief Adrian, you are one lucky man to be not only seeing, but staying in such amazing scenery. If I bring the whisky, can you put me up for a few weeks? The photo in your last post (Harry Worthesque) was very interesting, you have a very interesting face, and should do some close up black and white 'selfies'.
ReplyDeleteOMG the river it's stunning
ReplyDeleteLaura, travel here. The light is brilliant when there is any. The towns and villages are not very good. You could fill a sketch book on a good day. You will have to learn to draw with gloves on; no problem for an accomplished Impressionista.
DeleteThese are truly awesome; your post processing was spot-on with all of these.
ReplyDeleteMaria, the selection brush is a wonderful tool.
DeleteSome nice ethereal moments here with the clouds.
ReplyDeleteYeah, if coaches need to be allowed on the roads in this part of the country, just let the passengers out in the vicinity of the hotels :-)
Yes Jay, hotels and Woollen Mills.
Delete