Aspects of Assynt with My Beautiful Scotland

 I had a poor start to my trip to Assent.  I was joining a workshop run by Shona Perkins (My Beautiful Scotland) and Wendy Bagnall.  The ferry failed me as the bow ramp refused to work.  They still hadn’t fixed it by Tuesday afternoon but luckily for me they decided to travel with a reduced capacity and I was able to reach the mainland.  I met the group, Deanie, Sarah and Ian with Shona and Wendy in the evening having only missed the day.  Susi was part of the group but unfortunately I didn’t meet her as she had to go home early.  It was a good evening at Achmelvich Bay as the light appeared and many images were made.

We were staying at Kylesku Lodge and well looked after.  After a good breakfast we went off to photograph around Loch Druim Suardalain.  I have seen Suilven from across the Minch but this was my first time seeing it up close.  After a picnic in the playwark at Lochinver we were off to Culag community woods.  After a few tips from Wendy on icm trees I started to do some practicing.  We all loved the flowering currents growing up the side of an old lorry.  Then on to a nearby river for multiple exposure practice.

Ian, Shona and Sarah

3 image multiple exposure

and a few more multiple exposures

Icm after tips from Wendy

Multiple exposures

More practising

At the river multiple exposure

Icm water

two more multiple exposures

On Thursday we were driven to Durness.  Stopped almost immediately when we saw mist moving over the hills.  Then to Sango Sands for some more icm beach shots and after a huge toastie we went to Balnakeil beach where there were some lovely sand patterns.

Sango sands

Wendy

icm with Wendy

Balnakeil beach

Multiple exposure with two of Sarah

Walking back to the car park

Friday was a day to go back to places from the rest of the week.  I had missed out on Loch Assynt so we stopped there first to make images of the trees.  Back to Achmelvich but the rain came in so we went on to the Drumbeg loop and Clashnessie Falls.  I had a problem when I downloaded as I didn’t check my images and had formatted before I realised I was missing images.  Luckily I bought a Sandisk recovery and the images were saved.

Deanie in the landscape

Wendy in the landscape

Northern diver at Achmelvich beach

Sulivan appearing in the mist

and smoking

Multiple exposures of pussy willow

Clashnessie falls

Deanie

a nine multiple exposure image

Taking the waters

All to soon the week was over and time for me to drive to Dunfermline my stopover for my week in Wakefield.  I will definitely return to Assynt, what a beautiful location.  Now for a lot of practicing with icm and multiple exposures.

Next post will be Wakefield and the RPS Visual Art Weekend in Sheffield.

Off to Seville with the Harem

I set off for the trip to Seville a little earlier than planned.  The weather wasn't looking good on the Friday for the ferry so I went on the early ferry on Thursday and bagged a reasonable hotel room in Inverness.  Of course the ferry did go on Friday but I would have been stressing.  The cons of living on the island.  It meant I was hanging around in Inverness a little more than I intended.  Luckily the weather wasn't too bad and I took a walk to the botanical gardens and paid a visit to the castle which had opened again last December.  Book online and you will save £2.  It can be busy so there are time slots.

This merganser was scooting along but by the time I had my camera out, it stopped

In the Botanical gardens

Inverness castle looking amazing

view from the top

a taste of some of the light displays inside

The tapestry exhibition on the top floor was the best thing.   It was worth the admission price for me

Then it was time to board the Caledonian Express, my first time using the sleeper.  Very useful to arrive in the morning at Euston but I had booked the wrong dates and it meant I still needed accommodation as the sleeper doesn't go on a Saturday.  I will know for next time.  Still it gave me a chance to meet up with my friend Judith in Guildford.  Then met up with Carol who was staying at Premier Inn, North Terminal at Gatwick too.

Met up with the rest of the harem, Mark and Sam on Sunday afternoon at South Terminal.  We were missing Claire who was in India spending time with her husband.  Flight was on time and we arrived at the apartment in Seville.  With a quick meal nearby we settled down, ready for the week ahead.

We booked two days on the hop on hop off bus to get our bearings.  Monday was fairly relaxed.

Note all the wasted Seville oranges.  I wish I could have brought them back to the UK

we had a walk around after doing the circuit on the bus

The cathedral in front and the Alcazar on the right

a few images on the walk back to the apartment

We planned to visit the Plaza de Espana on Tuesday by bus but ended up walking there as there was a tractor protest which clogged up all the traffic.  The tractors ended up at the same place as us and as we left, so did they so we thought we would have to walk back to the apartment.  Luckily I spotted a bus and we dashed on board.  The pass was worth it to save the long walk home.

Near our great breakfast place

Popped into a church but missed out the cathedral as it looked very busy

Tractor protest

Sam modelling for us

Panorama at the Plaza de Espana

Mark, Carol, Sam and myself

More modelling by Sam

Lots of white pigeons

Looks like they are making use of the oranges

On Wednesday we paid a visit to the Alcazar.  A beautiful place to wander and make images.  This was our only sunny day without rain.  Otherwise it mizzled and was grey all week.

Waiting to enter the Alcazar

Inside the Alcazar

Alcazar gardens

On the way to the apartment

Thursday saw us walking to the city walls then back to the 'mushroom'.  Evening saw us at the flamenco and a meal by the 'mushroom'.

Made a few images from the middle image.  A photgrapher's

 delight

At the 'mushroom'

views from the viewing platform

A detour in trying to find the flamenco show

Flamenco show

Night show at the mushroom

A dance troupe came along while we were at the restaurant

On Friday we visited the Tienda quarter then walked back towards the cathedral and some last minute image making.

Fish market in the Tienda quarter

These looked like little houses on the roof

We flew back on Saturday.  I had the whole day on Sunday to wander.  Unfortunately it rained most of the day.  I had a look at Tate Modern and walked back to Kings Cross.  Finally time to board the sleeper back to Inverness.  Luckily for me it was delayed over half an  hour.  I was hoping it would be delayed an extra five minutes but it arrived in Inverness 55 minutes late so I had half my fare refunded.  Another wander around a wet Inverness then back to Stornoway.

More travels in April with 3 weeks on the mainland.