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 19 March 2014

CLASSIC. (19/03/14)

I had to move today as I needed diesel, gas, food, whisky and tobacco. Why the rush? It’s budget day and ‘The Boy George’ is bound to hike duty on most of these things. I know I shouldn't judge a man by his looks but he has that I'm holier than thou look. He looks smugger than Dithery Dave and that is something of an achievement.

image We are a mile just north of Arisaig. It’s just a small croft and I’m parked overlooking the Small Isles. Not that I can see them in the driving rain. The van is rocking away in a thirty mile an hour gale it looks a good place for a sunset if the weather perks up. You can see three of the Small Isles left of my star. From south to north they are Muck, Eigg and Rum. There is a forth one called Canna but I won’t be able to see it as it hides behind Rum.

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I have never been here before and it is well worth the drive from Fort William on the A830. It’s a pity it is such a miserable day or there would have been some wonderful opportunities for photographs.

_MG_3195   The beach is not twenty yards from the van. The dogs are very impressed. I wish I was; I’m getting wind and weather weary.

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_MG_3197  I am hoping for a good sunset. I’ve gone off the nuclear or pavement pizza ones. We will see. I should be feeling happy here but for some reason I’m not. Last year at this time I was in Ravenglass which can’t hold a candle to this place for views but I find it a nicer place. I’ve not paid yet and am dreading the row if they try for twenty pounds a night with water from a tap with no screw fitting and a shower block with no windows in it. You can see what you are doing but the glazing has blown out. The young lad said they are waiting for a joiner. It looks as if they have been waiting for a couple of years.

I will reserve judgement as this site was recommended by another Old Age Traveller. He is usually right so I’ll give it a go till the weekend at least. The teenage lad in the bungalow said pick any pitch you like but not twelve. I pulled onto thirteen. Whilst writing this a chap knocked on the van and said you are on my pitch. I offered to move as he had left his shore power lead by the electric post. He was a nice chap and said no bother. He has a Classic HYMER. It must be twice as old as mine. I wonder will I see the day when my van is a classic and not old. Better still the day when I become a Classic.

Have fun. I’ll catch up with your posts tomorrow as I still have some editing to do on some pictures for Caravans and Motorhomes Cause Chaos Monthly. I thought I was a bit backward but the picture editor there is a complete Muppet. PNG files he wants. I prefer TIFF is it me? It may be, I might be becoming a classic.

 

25 comments:

  1. There seems to be a lot of algae on the shore. We also get a lot of algae here.

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  2. Maria, it is Kelp. the storms rip it out and dump it on the beach. Before caravanners the crofters used to grow potatoes in it. Now they are content to try and rip us off.

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  3. I do envy you your travels and freedom, Adrian (though maybe it sounds more idyllic than it is..?).

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    1. Frances, it is as good as my life has ever got. I love the freedom. I've just walked the quarter of a mile to negotiate a price and found a vision from heaven trying to catch a dozen young beasts. A five minute job with two, they are all penned up for now.
      Any lass who can look good in driving rain and a gale, covered in ten layers of clothes with the outer layer bespattered with cow muck and straw has got to be a film star.
      I think I fell in love or maybe lust. Time will tell. How much was the parking? I forgot to ask. Love it has to be.

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  4. Wonderful, almost bare landscapes. I bet the dogs had lots of fun. Happy editing. Lookign forward to more images.

    Mersad
    Mersad Donko Photography

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    1. Mersad, sleep will be the problem. The wind and rain are doing what they do best in Scotland. If the light plays it's part then I'll have to be quick. I like desolation. Nine times out of ten nothing happens but when it does it can be wonderful.

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  5. Despite the weather, the pictures are beautiful. I guess I like #2 best because the house gives something to focus on but it is just a barely thing.

    I am not a fan of wind. It is around 60 F here and drizzling rain. Leo is sitting just outside the front door watching for anything that moves. Nothing is moving.

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  6. David, the temperature is dropping here. The rain is turning to sleet. Not nice at all. The sea is beautifully clear though and the tide is coming in.
    The lady that owns this place is a real star. She even laughed at my dogs helping or hindering the rounding up of her cattle. They got there in the end.

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  7. Aren't those beaches something else, wonderful.

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    1. Stunning Bob. It's a good job the weather is usually awful or they would be surrounded by hotels.

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  8. The 'new' place looks like it may have some photographic potential Adrian? But, I've just seen the weather guesser on the telly, tie that van down and hold on to your hat you're in for a wet and breezy time in the next couple of days!... Stay safe...[;o)

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  9. I think it might Trevor. It is hellish wild and windy. I think I'll give it ten days. I have food for ten I'll give it a whirl.
    We are just back in from cow rounding up and despite my and Joyce having to take steps sideways in the gale, the dogs are oblivious. They are West Highland Terrors.

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  10. I like the look of this place, always prefer the isolated and desolate spots. If all else fails perhaps we'll see some photos of the dogs making the most of the situation?

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    1. Pauline, the forecast is not good. I may have to resort to snapping the dogs.

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  11. wow! looks very interesting I'm curious of your pics!

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    1. Laura, I will enjoy looking round this area. I'll definitely get some pictures of rain.

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  12. Yes, it's a wild and rugged beach. It looks like a good place to go for long walks ...maybe a few hours. Some of the campsites leave a lot to be desired.

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    1. Red, I was in a bad mood when I criticised this site it is clean and tidy. I'll get out for a good look round.

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  13. Sad about the condition of the site Adrian, still at least you have some stunning scenery to enjoy.

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    1. Douglas, I was a bit hasty. It is fine really. It will be even better when the rain stops.

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  14. Sorry to hear you are feeling a little blue Adrian. Perhaps it is your time of the month! I remember a family holiday at Arisaig in the early sixties. The weather was sub-tropical and the beaches were white. So different from the North Sea coast of Yorkshire. To drive away the blues may I suggest some mind-bending drugs? Ask for Hamish in The Crofters Bar.

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    1. I was down yesterday. I like Churchill's term of 'The Black Dog'. A good walk in driving rain was far better than a visit to the Crofters. I do enjoy a spliff now and again but not when feeling down.

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  15. We have had wild weather here too Adrian. But I have posted two aerial photos taken from a drone that I thought you might like. Maybe a drone might be a nice new toy for you to cheer you up.

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    1. Carol, I'm bouncing about like a spring lamb today. I am never depressed for long and I've had far worse depressions than yesterdays little downer.

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  16. Wow, Arisaig and the A830. I'm more familiar with the railway in that part of the world although I do remember driving that road once from Spean Bridge and back in a day ... impressive area.
    Booked in for July though as the host didn't have room in May.
    Thankfully the fuel didn't "budge".

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