Creag Death

Went on a trip with Frazer to Creag Dubh last week to go climbing He's always keen to go 'cragging' but I refuse to go if the forecast is wet or cold. Last week's forecast was for scattered showers on Friday and sunshine Saturday. So, only the second outing of the year, a three hour drive and we're there. Frazer had a look at the rock and and I'm eyeing up the views.

We set up to do a two pitch HVS. First pitch pumpy, but luckily Frazer was at the sharp end. Starting the second pitch I was worried it might be as hard but, luckily, setting off at the front end of the rope, it turned out to be much friendlier. Forgot to take the camera up the rock so no pictures.

Meal in Newtonmore with a pint and then back to the tents for a very cold night. Two sleeping bags took the sting out it though, but I did pop on a hat about five am. Next morning was fabulous with sun and mist so I had to go walkabout. The campsite view was much better than the usual.

Quick walk down the to get a view of  the hill. On the way a wind torn silver birch had a bracket fungus growing - just waiting there to be arty-farty.

Getting down towards the lochan, the mist rolling along with the sun shining through made the light just right, so that it was hard to take a 'bad' photo. Some of them I quite like.

Back to the campsite for Muesli and cup of tea as the mist was starting to burn off. Mid way through the muesli two dragonflies fluttered past. Eventually sneaked up on them after 'doggedly' chasing them for two or three minutes.

Eventually we made it back to the rock and I finally managed to take a 'climbing' photo half way up the cliff on a friendly belay ledge. Frazer was the proud leader of an E1 followed by an E2. I contrived not to fall off either.

There were other climbers about, but none of them human. We had the the whole crag to ourselves all day, apart from the newt, which I couldn't capture as I was busy belaying, the snail and the herd of feral goats. If you have a minute, try counting them.

Just as we were about to leave for the drive back to Edinburgh the wind slowed, the sun dropped below the clouds and it all turned a bit autumnal.

If not the bike climbing is magic.

King of Saddell

A close friend celebrated his 65th birthday by renting Saddell Castle for a week and having a succession of friends to wine, dine and walk the beaches in Kyntire. Saddell is in a south west corner of Scotland that is quiet and beautiful. 

Just in front of the castle was of course its own 'private' beach.

Lots of rock pools of course. Trying to take pictures of water boatmen skating on the water proved impossible without the distinct chance of falling in camera first. Then this wee guy blew past, literally. The breeze dropped momentarily - et voila!

Further along the the beach a few daisies were on their last legs, but the rowan berries were positively glowing.

A quiet morning walk produced a delicate campion, a rhododendron tunnel and an early fallen leaf.

Cambeltown is a few twisty miles away and is in the process of trying to regenerate itself - mainly with a marina and new harbour frontage. The Linda McCartney memorial garden eluded us totally but the church was a focal point.

A walk along Machrihanish beach was a blowy affair with an unusually strong east wind. The waves weren't that big but the wind gave the surf a wild look.

Finally, the huge chimney in the castle proved even more interesting if you stood in the hearth. However, it did take five attempts to get a decent photo with the wee camera trying to focus on the bright lum at the top rather than getting the huge dusty web in focus.

Distinct lack of happy pedalling but plenty of gin.

Museum of Modern Art

Visit to the Modern Art museum in Edinburgh to have lunch with friends. Always good to get in a bit of culture and some good café food. Especially good to arrive and find out that everything was going to be alright.

The big sculptured pond area at the front is a nice outlook for the museum but I found a 'top up' pipe which was interesting.

Edvard Munch was featuring as the special exhibition but we didn't see that, as the museum wanted some money, and I am famously mean when it comes to culture. I've seen his pictures in other museums and find his images a bit depressing - but good they are.

Big smile generated by the huge sculpture in the café area of, I presume, Thor (didn't see an info card).

A stroll down the Water of Leith (again) to help the food go down gave a few more chances of images. Looking over the side of the first bridge an overhanging tree provided an oil painting result.

One of the numerous access points which probably daunt the less athletic.

Presumably Dutch Elm disease or similar prompted this very warmly radiant bonfire. The camera just about captures the feeling of intense heat. Nobody had any marshmallows.

 Took a shot weeks ago of a new chestnut leaf - this could be the same one looking a little worse for wear now.

Back to the museum for a . . . comfort break and the aforementioned date slice and coffee. This 'pile of stones' art is on the way in.

The stairs down were to the loos - nice sculpture.

Before going out for lunch we had a quick 10 miles of exercise going to West Linton on the bikes. This field, on the way, usually has a couple of horses - instead, a duck and ducklings were taking advantage. It doesn't look as like it's going to dry up quickly.

 Happy pedalling.

Today we had a trip to the East Neuk of Fife (or the east corner of the the county of Fife in Scotland). We had a good lunch in a hotel with friends and stopped later in Anstruther, a old fishing village. These days there are few fishing boats as they have mostly moved down the coast to Pittenweem,  but it's reinvented itself as a tourist town -  marina, shops and pubs.

The weather, when I was taking some photos, was taking a break from raining, but still overcast. You'll have to imagine the sunshine lighting up the painted houses and sailing boats. The tourists had come out from hiding (somewhere in the dry) and were making the best use of the reasonable weather. Boat trips to the Isle of May, an ice cream sitting on the harbour wall, a stroll round the craft shops, fishing museum and maybe a pint in a pub.

 One of the older vessels in the harbour - a restored sailing fishing boat.

 The outer harbour - with Berwick Law peeping through the harbour entrance.

 Traditional (well recent traditional) cafe food - the ice cream cone has been around for a long time though.

North from the harbour

Finally one for the street furniture geeks. 

Down one of the wynds (or lane) heading to the harbour, there it was - a Ductile Iron 550 Saracen, Grade B. Made by Stanton and Staveley Iron works, a North Derbyshire iron foundry which started up in 1846. I don't know how many of them are scattered round the country but they obviously last well - as long as nobody steals them of course.

Too far to pedal for happiness.

Wednesday Walk

The forecast was blue sky and sunshine. Such a contrast from the weekend's torrential rain. Met a friend to wander round Portmore Loch - not far from Edinburgh, just in the top corner of the Scottish Borders.

The point of the walk - I always prefer a reason - was to try and take some interesting photos while enjoying the almost longest day sunshine. Rain forecast again tomorrow and the next few days, so I wanted to make the most of it. Portmore has a wee dam with an overflow that made a funny face at me

The loch is run as a fishery and  there are a number of stages for anglers to get nearer the tame fish. My mate went for a look.

The wind got up a little later on but first thing it was quite still and we were able to reflect on the still water - sorry, hard to resist

At the top end of the loch in the field there's an railway wagon rusting and rotting away. The main use now seems to be to provide passing snappers with an expanse of colourful rust metalwork. A secondary use is for target practice for budding deer killers to zero in their rifles. Clouds for bullseyes?

Further up the field the view back is of the loch and the Pentlands.

Returning to the loch we had to wander down an industrial forest firebrake which looked  a little better in B&W

Finally into some natural woodland that had a friendly face staring at us - you need to look carefully.

Had to take the car, so no pedalling - again.

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