After forty eight hours the rain stopped at seven this morning. Everything in the van including the dogs is damp and smelly. I decided to set off up Foyers Gorge to have a look at the famous Falls of Foyers.
We were flooded in. This was not an insurmountable problem as there is a surmountable fence that got me clear of the inundation and allowed access to the lung busting stagger up the gorge.
The bridge was still open and I hoped it would remain so as it’s a seven mile walk back if it gets closed.
Onwards and upwards we plodded. The old bridge in the foreground is fenced off as it’s falling down, the Bailey Bridge is behind it and was a temporary replacement twenty years ago. The Spanish have mañana to express urgency; Highlanders never have a job as pressing as tomorrow.
Our first view of the falls.
This is the highpoint of our wander, from here it is downhill to the cataract.
Getting closer and it’s not looking promising. There is far too much spray.
WOW. It was like standing under a pressure washer. Sixty metres of waterfall. I was saturated but it was worth the walk. I did take a tripod and the sound recorder for some video but it was far too wet to risk either the recorder or the camera for more than a second or two. The ground was shaking and the dogs were barking with excitement. I could barely hear them over the water booming.
The sun popped out as we beat a hasty retreat. Hasty? Let’s settle for a fast hobble.
It was worth the effort and one day I will catch the falls in a photographic mood. Neither a trickle nor a torrent but middling would be good.
Wow you have an exciting life Adrian ~ I imagined the van was going to be found floating downstream and you would be homeless.
ReplyDeleteCarol, the van is fine, you can see it in the second picture.
DeleteI was a bit worried as the "flood" warnings popped up on my phone. Glad you're reasonably dry. I personally think all that spray makes the image, you can feel the force of it through the images.
ReplyDeleteDouglas, I shot them all at 50mm as there are only two vantage points and the lower one though wet is the better.
DeleteYou were obviously impressed. Pity conditions were unsuitable for video.
ReplyDeleteJohn. maybe later in the week. It is a hell of a pull uphill for me these days.
DeleteWOW, you live on the wild side! I would be a nervous nellie about the bridge getting washed away! I imagine it was worth the hike to see the majestic power of the falls..what a sight! Stay safe and dry!
ReplyDeleteTerri, I checked it wasn't moving before stepping on to it.
DeleteSo often people visit waterfalls only to find that they are little more than a trickle but you experienced the Falls of Foyer in all their mighty power. Sometimes it is the experience that matters much more than any photographic recording.
ReplyDeleteYP, I agree but it would have popped the icing on the cake to get a few minutes video.
DeleteI agree with YP about sometimes you just need to be there or experience it. Having said that I'm pleased that you managed to get the shots that you did. I walked miles (no kilometres - I was in New Zealand) to what was one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the area only to find that it was virtually dry.
ReplyDeleteGraham, it wasn't a wasted walk. I have been up several times only to find it trickling. I have never seen it like this. The loch is very high. So much water what with the rain and snow melt.
DeleteWell worth the slog for the falls Adrian. Must have been quite an experience seeing it.
ReplyDeleteKeith, if it's fine tomorrow afternoon then I'll have another go. It would be good to get a rainbow in the spray and a bit less spray.
ReplyDeleteVery impressive photos!
ReplyDeleteMonica, I enjoy extremes. It was an impressive place today.
DeleteHI Adrian Well done for actually getting to to the Falls and it was certainly worth it. Great shots. I also love the shot when the sun came out.
ReplyDeleteMargaret, I was wondering today how many more times I'll manage the hill. It's less than a mile but it is steep.
DeleteI love the falls and the bridge pictures Adrian! Stunning Landscapes! Stay safe.
ReplyDeleteRuby, it is a wonderful place. I am safe as houses here.
DeleteWe are all living vicariously through your wonderful adventures! No wonder the dogs were barking! I could almost hear the roar of the falls myself!
ReplyDeleteBob, I'm glad you enjoyed it. I was thrilled by it.
DeleteAdriaan what this is beautiful I am so glad that you did this for us. what a risky business but it's really big.
ReplyDeleteBas, no risk except to the camera. It is magnificent.
DeleteLovely falls, you can't knock them. Love your landscapes Adrian
ReplyDeleteBob, they are grand and as a bonus the camera still works.
DeleteI'd say you hit the jackpot on this one even if you didn't get photos. Earth shaking falls are impressive. That was some rain.
ReplyDeleteRed, if there is one thing Scotland doesn't do by halves it is rain.
DeleteSome amazing scenes, both with the floods and scenery. I'm reminded about when you got flooded out in Galloway a while back.
ReplyDeleteJay, a year last Christmas at Garlieston it was. The Gorge is always worth a walk but the falls are very unpredictable.
DeleteThere can never be too much spray from a waterfall in my book, the more the better. And I really like the photo of it, too. Glad the bridge was there for you to get back to the van.
ReplyDeletePauline, I was pleased to see the bridge intact. It would have meant retracing my route then cutting back through forest for the rest of the day. I'd have been exhausted.
DeleteIncredibly dramatic photos, Adrian. I hope you can swim!
ReplyDeleteFrances, yes I can swim like a fish. It is dramatic weather. The rain has stopped or at least become showers but the wind is gusting 40mph now. It's nice in the sun.
Deleteahhhhh, what a wonderful hike. Enjoyed sharing it through your lens.
ReplyDeleteR.Mac, I enjoyed the walk.
DeleteLung busting! An absolutely wonderful adventure for us to share with you---and we got to stay dry!
ReplyDeleteBill, I see the falls quite often but never have I seen anything like this volume of water.
DeleteYes, you have had your share of rain up there, that waterfall looks fantastic.
ReplyDeletepeter
Peter, it is raining again now. It's also blowing a gale.
DeleteIt's too dry out here... Nice pics...
ReplyDeleteIt's a pity we can't even the rain out a bit.
DeleteA esto lo llamo abundancia de agua!!! Espero que no haya echo muchos desperfectos porque veo el rio muy alto. Magnificas tomas Adrian.
ReplyDeleteUn fuerte abrazo.
Gracias Jordi, sí, hay un montón de agua que están bien y seque.
DeleteBy the number of comments you can really tell we are all impressed. I do enjoy these pictures very much Adrian. Too much rain in my book, but then .. there's nothing you can do about it. Stay safe.
ReplyDeleteRaffaela, It was sunny all day yesterday but I was stuck in front of a computer. Wet and windy again now. It's all good fun.
Delete