Yesterday I left Durness. I’ve really enjoyed my time in the far north but I realised whilst wandering round the Highland Games that I kept getting greeted. I thought they assumed I was there for the caber. After the third: “Alright Tosser.” I decided it was time to move on. I’ll be back in the winter. He’ll open the campsite if I give him a ring.
Off we trundled just after nine. It took a while to get away as the little children all wanted to say goodbye to the dogs. They won’t get out of the van once they see me packing up so that delayed me further. Yes. I have forgotten them in the past. I now check the mirrors and make sure there is no sign of a white dog on little legs chasing me as I move out. I headed south down the A835 towards Ullapool. Forty or so miles later I turned right onto the Coigach peninsular. It took for ever to complete the last twenty miles; the road was heaving with traffic and it’s a very narrow road. Just after noon I arrived at Port A Bhaigh and the village of Altandu. The campsite is a bit raw as they’ve done a lot of work on it. It’s a beautiful place overlooking Isle Ristol the most northerly of the Summer Isles and on the horizon Graham’s house.
This mornings walk was for the benefit of the dogs and the midges. My arms were black with the little devils. I was breathing and eating them. 
That’s all for today.
That first picture is awesome. The lightest part of the sky is just about perpendicular to the highest point of the land. The shadow in the water is perfect, both the land and the sky. And it all matches up!
ReplyDeleteI see one Heron, maybe two and...yeah, I think three. This is kinda fun. :)
I wondered what Molly had found in #3, it is clear in #4. That's funny she would wade into a pool to keep from leaving. Smart dog.
David, I got my feet wet getting this close.
DeleteIt's best not to look too closely at what the dogs have found. Not on an empty stomach.
I wondered what was happening over there on the mainland which was just about visible first thing this morning. All this fine weather has meant that the sea mist and heat haze has hidden the mainland's delights from the outer isles. Now it's just plain dreich and, as I type, the rain has started and the greyness has enveloped us all. forty or more years ago friends conceived twins in a tent at Achiltibuie. They were going to name them Achil and Tibuie but decided on Jane and Julian instead. All of which has absolutely blank all to do with your post but then what's to be said that I haven't said before or runs the risk of claims of sycophancy. PS Since this good weather we've been unaccountably free of midges here on Lewis. I think the wretched clegs must have eaten them all.
ReplyDeleteGraham, it's raining here. It looks a good place.
DeleteThe clegs have been voracious this last week or so. They can bite through clothes. They are the black ones and not the pretty hairy ones which are very photogenic.
I hope conceiving twins here is not catching. I can't conceive of such an idea. It would ruin a good summer.
DeleteWat Molly betreft hoefde je echt niet verder te gaan zij had het zo te zien heel goed naar haar zin.
ReplyDeleteOok waar Nic
DeleteIt was about time you moved on Adrian, the locals had obviously got you 'sussed'!! It looks like you've found another stunning location with lots of photographic potential? And Molly seems to be at home already! I hope the weather stays good for you, and your photography?...[;o)
ReplyDeleteTrevor, I really liked the north coast. It is pretty grim on the east side, John O'Groats is a real dump.
DeleteThis place is worth a look. I'm checking out the area for the winter months.
It's raining steadily now but the pub is open in an hour.
Margaret Adamson has left a new comment on your post "FLY FOOD. (28/07/13)":
ReplyDeleteHI Bob Well, you have landed in yet another beuatiful place. Frist shot is stunning. David above says it all. I say Amen to it as well. Now ehn I was done at the 'old caravan this year, I was bitten badly by clegs and afterwards a friend told me if I put spots of Vick on exposed parts, thye will stay away. How I have not been back to try this as yt however I wondered would it work for your midges. Just a thought. Personnalyy I would prefer to smell of Vick that have all the bites!
Hi Sally, I'm covered in Cleg bites and I've scratched one or two which doesn't help.
DeleteI've got some spray stuff but I keep forgetting to use it. The Spanish Citronel candles work quite well but only in the van.
I've been wondering for many years what to do with those old jars of Vick. If the clegs contine to be so plentiful when the rain has gone and I can get back in the garden then I, for one, will be be Vicky. Given the funny looks I might get it had better be worth it.
DeleteLooks as though you have found another scenic area to explore.
ReplyDeleteJohn, scenery is difficult to avoid up here.
DeleteDitto what most people have said, what a great looking place, in the last images it looks great for waders (Molly is doing a great wader impression), I do like the look of defiance from Molly in the last image, made me chuckle.
ReplyDeleteDouglas, there are one or two waders but they are shy. She spends half her life in water.
DeleteHi Adrian...What beauty, your scenery is wonderful, making some great photo's!!
ReplyDeleteMy it looks like it is a good think Molly is standing in some water!!
That first one in the mud flat must get them pretty dirty !!
Grace
Grace, I've given up trying to keep them clean. They need another haircut so I'll head back south.....slowly....there's no rush.
DeleteAdrian, not sure why I have not visited your blog sooner, but glad I ave found it. I was just looking at motorhomes myself a few weeks ago, as a serious thing to do in the next few years here in Australia.
ReplyDeleteCarol, I love the wandering life. YP was the first person to comment when I started blogging. Nearly a thousand posts ago. I then lost touch but now follow him and will get round to looking at all his commentators.
DeleteThe first photo is wonderful. If I ever went up to Scotland again I'm sure the midges would eat me alive. I've had two nasty insect bites (by I'm-not-sure-what) this summer and those alone almost drove me insane...
ReplyDeleteMonica, I'm covered in Horsefly or Cleg bites. The midges are a nuisance but don't bother me too much.
DeleteMolly is a quite a rascal. Do you have to rinse her with fresh water when she does this? She's gotten used to just bathing in any pond. Many dogs are so fearful of water!
ReplyDeleteAdrian, have you been urged to join the Adobe Creative Cloud for PS? It seems you're not going to be getting anymore updates for your CS6 if you don't join. They've got us all.
Maria, there is not much to choose between them. No she will usually take a wash in fresh water herself.
DeleteYes it's going to be a pain with Adobe. I suspect it will be short lived.
I'm going to have to get out my map and find out where you are. Again, I guess I like barren areas. I was brought up on the Canadian prairie and spent some tome in the Arctic. Interesting color with the brown. where is the green grass?
ReplyDeleteOkay, I took a second look and found the green.
ReplyDeleteRed, still in Scotland.
DeleteThe pic of Molly in the puddle is a hoot :)
ReplyDeleteCat, she's a madam.
Delete¸.•°✿✿⊱彡
ReplyDeleteMuito lindo, paisagens fabulosas!
Parabéns!!!
Ótima semana!
Beijinhos de sua amiga brasileira.
¸.•°✿✿⊱彡
Magia, obrigado.
DeleteYou said "YP was the first person to comment when I started blogging". That pleases me greatly Adrian and it is lovely to see how your blog has developed and how many visitors you have attracted. Your photography, your attraction to simpler living and your love of wilder places and Mother Nature's bounty is like a beacon shining out in a world where folk often scramble madly like those rats in "The Pied Piper of Hamelin"
ReplyDeleteYP. This is praise indeed. I'll accept with gratitude....I am a little embarrassed though. Many thanks.
DeleteFernando, obrigado.
ReplyDelete