There is no escaping me. I am camping at Glenmore in the shadow of Cairngorm mountain and on the shore of Loch Morlich. I’ve been here three or four hours and it looks wonderful. The weather is warm for here at just above freezing, the sun keeps popping out and there is little wind behind the sleet showers. I am here for four nights but it could well turn into fourteen. I have internet, it is slow but as I wasn’t expecting any connection with the outside world it is a happy, if lethargic, happenstance.
I stopped in Aviemore on the way. I have food and a map. I also got some Grana Padano, it’s like posh Parmesan and doesn’t smell of dog turd, well less than Parmesan does. I’m going to make some cheese baskets. Laura, she who produces the very emotional impressionist paintings, has a new Blog. It’s all about cooking. Healthy cooking. The recipe is here at THYME AND BASIL. Basil the herb not Basil the fox. It’s all in Italian but either translate it with Google for some amusing results or ask Laura to tell you in English. She writes near perfect English much like what I do. I’ve learned her some of what I know. Should she deign to get herself over here then I would happily learn her more. She doesn’t realize all the expressionism that goes into an ‘EE BY Gum Lass, Das Fitter Dan I is, das fitter dan Butchers Dog Lass.’
I expect you would like to see a few snaps from here. maybe not, I’ll find out. All are HDR and pushed some. All were taken during a thirty minute period on the shore of Loch Morlich. I would have taken them faster but the dogs had gone for a swim then buggered off while I was snapping pictures. It’s a new place for them so they won’t go far. They hide….little devils…..we got back soaking.
Have fun, storms are forecast for me tomorrow.
Oh! I love most of the pictures you post but these...I actually gasp when they came up. I love 'em so much! And the odd thing is they look warm to me. Anything but cold.
ReplyDeleteAlf and Molly went swimming in weather just above freezing? But then Leo is still outside, has been out all night, and it is considerably below freezing here. I think I would gladly trade my skin for Alf or Molly or Leo's.
David, it's the beauty of digital. I can make a picture look what I want it to look. I'm starting to shoot a fair bit of 120 medium format, mostly in Fuji Velvia reversal film. Old slide film to us. Each shot costs a £1.00 without printing and I bracket them half a stop plus shoot half a stop under. The fist two rolls were disappointing one good one out of twenty four. I am loathe to post it but will do an end of year collection.
DeleteIt gets down to minus ten here normally but we are just sitting under a jet stream which gives us wet and warm. The dogs get in and expect to hog the hot air vents.
I didn't really understand what you said about the cost but I'm thinking it is fairly expensive. Maybe you could recover a bit by putting an adsense ad on your page. I only make pennies off mine but you have way more viewers than I do and you get a little money just for people viewing the page.
DeleteDavid, before blogger was free. I hate Ads, Anyone can use the images I post. I charge a lot of money for a shoot. The blog is free as it should be.
DeleteDon't really know why but I never expected the shore of a loch to be sandy.
ReplyDeleteJust to cheer you up, forecast for Sunday seems to be lots of rain, everywhere.
John, they are usually pebbles. I suspect this one is unique.
DeleteI could do with a load of 2010. Changing camera batteries every thirty minutes. There is time yet. It's odd I have travelled to the coldest part of the UK and you are getting hoar frost. C'est la Vie.
Looks like a beautiful area.. Great captures.
ReplyDeleteGlad you have internet... I'd miss your daily rants.
Have fun!
Laura..Me...Rant...I hope not. I just comment on what I find. Glad you popped by.
DeleteMind the doggies paws. If you look closely you will see large amounts of broken glass. Remains are from WW2, when Loch Morlich was used as a Commando School by the Norwegians because of the likeness to Norway.
ReplyDeleteI have not been there for about 15 years so maybe they have had a mass clear up - although I doubt it.
Your pictures are lovely.
Spesh, I'm about due a big vet bill. They know where home is and don't really misbehave. I never noticed any glass here but then Aquavit bottles are clear or pale blue. Bloody Norwegians.
DeleteWhat a stunning area you're in Adrian.
ReplyDeleteThat last shot is spectacular. Really like that one.
Keith, I'm thinking this is home. Get your bum up here for some wonderful wild life shots. I'll do the big picture and you can snap the Crossbills. There is other birds as well like Chaffinch and crows.
Deletewhat a wonderful combo of vistas-water and mountains! happy traveling, or staying!
ReplyDeleteNorma, it's an easy place to get a picture. The light goes from nothing to perfect in minutes.
DeleteAdrian I would only stay a while longer, it's so beautiful there
ReplyDeleteBas, I am thinking of staying a while. snow is forecast at low level later in the week. It does look good here.
DeleteSimply stunning shots from the Loch,though I reckon the last one would have a really nice big reflection of the mountains on the loch on a "still" day,
ReplyDeleteDouglas, It is a truly beautiful area. find it odd that there are so few water birds living on Scottish Lochs.
DeleteCracking images Adrian, it looks like you've found a beautiful place to stay?...[;o)
ReplyDeleteTrevor, if the rain holds off I have several projects to keep me busy here.
DeleteGlad to see you are happily located ~ photos are terrific. Also good to know you can access the internet, even if it is a bit sketchy. Looking forward to seeing more.
ReplyDeleteGlo, I'm happy as a dog with two tails.
DeleteAdrian, really a big thank you for the mentioned to me, and for having written this post. thank you with all my heart
ReplyDeletePs: yesterday, in your last post, I noticed the blue spot on your map and I said to myself, what a beautiful lake that must be it! I hope that Adrian will stop there and make some photos! well I can see that you have done it! the lake it's more beautiful as I imagine myself
ReplyDeleteLaura, I enjoy your food blog. It deserves a wider audience.
DeleteThis area is inspiring. I hope that I can do it justice.
Oh wow. Your HDR's really paid off. The depth of field you managed to show off is just amazing.
ReplyDeleteLady Lilith, it is a very good lens.
DeleteWhy not stay fourteen days? This is a very beautiful area. You have a beautiful beach all to yourself.
ReplyDeleteRed, I have to be in Darlington around the ninth of next month. It looks a good place to settle.
DeleteThank you, there is plenty to look at here.
ReplyDeleteI've stayed on Loch Morlich a few times - probably about the same time Spesh was staying in terms of years. It's a splendid place when it's fine but it has a capacity for dreichness and it can be soooooo cold. Enjoy your stay.
ReplyDeleteGraham, it can be a wild place. It can also be miserable at the moment it's borderline dreich. I'll probably settle here as it's quiet and there are lots of things to see without resorting to macro.
Deletevery beautiful images Adrian!! and a wonderful place too
ReplyDeleteAnnie, it is a great place. It's hard to take a truly awful picture.
DeleteThese are beautiful images. Such a great beach and the trees look amazing. I also love the mountains in the distance with their snow covered peaks.
ReplyDeleteMersad
Mersad Donko Photography
Mersad, the Scots Pine is the king of trees. I'm hoping the snow line will drop down a little.
DeleteBeautiful but cold, which is what I always think about Scotland at this time of year!
ReplyDeleteJenny, It's not that cold, I am well wrapped up but haven't had to wear thermals or gloves yet. It is quiet, in summer it will be a hell hole.
DeleteYou've brought ba very happy and memorable place back for me to see Adrian, thanks. Stay the fortnight, and if you can, take the walk out to Loch Einich (not Eilein). It is fantastic, atmospheric, photographic, and when you approach the Loch you will be awe inspired I promise. Be prepared weatherwise though.
ReplyDeleteGary, I can stay for ever. I have to go down to Darlington, last week. I'm late already so another week or two won't matter. I don't know Loch Einich. I'll find it on the map and if it's not a crampon and ice axe job will have a look. Thank you.
DeleteQuality shots considering the weather.
ReplyDeleteJust worked out that it was 20 years ago since I was last in Aviemore although a bit restricted as I was on a rail rover ... shame, need to go back with the car and catch these scenes.
Jay, unless you want hoards of folk about I suspect it's a winter venue. There are some pictures on Flickr of the beach in summer.
DeleteI didn't see these, you still are doing HDR?
ReplyDeleteMaria, yes these are HDR. the boundaries are a little confused now that Photoshop has both a gradient tool and the adjustment brush in the RAW converter. Photomatix has become very refined as well.
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