A new friend

Oops, I completely forgot to blog about my first job. Granted, I didn't really know what I'd say about it, as I basically cleaned hotel rooms for a living (although, thinking about it, I have walked in on people having sex, people on the toilet, had to clean up all manner of interesting things from rooms). So, instead, (since I only have 8 minutes to post this before it's no longer today...) I'm going to leave you with a picture of a friend I made on a recent walk:

This walk will feature in one of my photography posts, where I'll talk a little bit more about the gorgeous ponies I met. For now, though, it's bed time for me!

Leicester

March was busy. I was too tired to crochet or blog, and didn't want to take any pictures. I was rather worried I had fallen out of love with taking photographs. 

Corey and I went for a walk on Sunday. I was taking so many pictures that we were out for 3 hours on a walk that would normally have taken us an hour and a half. It turns out I still love my camera.

The River Soar is my favourite part of Leicester. Full of birds, it's a wonderful place to go for a meander on a day when spring has finally arrived. (Sorry, this post is rather photo heavy!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The trees have eyes!

I took the photographs in black and white because, well, Leicester has it's pretty parts, but it's also got a lot of stark, industrial buildings. I always think they look far better in black and white.

I took nearly 300 photo's on our 3 hour walk. I've since reduced it down to 85. Is it normal to take so many photo's? I want to crop a few, but I felt, since I haven't blogged in a while, I should probably post something!

Oh, one last photo, just to show spring is finally here!

The Cuith-Raing/Quiraing

 On Thursday, we went for a drive around the north east of Skye. We went to the Faerie Glen, but Corey didn't realise that we were in the Glen and didn't stop for us to walk about and take a few pictures. We continued on, stopped at a Souterrain, that was very flooded inside so we couldn't go in. I asked Corey if we could go back a little ways and go down the road that would take us to the Quiraing. We drove along this rather scenic road (then again, what road in Skye isn't scenic?) and came out to this:

Corey reckoned the above was a former dwelling of sorts. I tease him about how he always finds random things in the landscape that the ordinary person wouldn't see, such as evidence of ridges and furrows and former dwellings. The truth is, walking with him is absolutely fascinating. I may gaze in wonder at the scenery, but he's taught me to look further than the pretty hills and notice that there is history beneath our feet, too.

Anyone who's seen the film Stardust may recognise the scenery from a few of the scenes. It formed the backdrop to part of Lamia's search for Yvaine, and it's where Yvaine and Tristan found the road to Wall.

It's also one of the places where I wish I had a wider angle lens! I love my 50mm, it takes the most beautiful portrait pictures, but when it comes to landscapes, I just can't get enough into the frame. I can't complain, though. I love every single picture I took, and am pleased with the way many of them turned out. Some of them were over exposed or not clear enough, but I didn't really have the time to fiddle about with my camera too much.

If you are ever in Skye, even if you're in one of the other sections, as we were, I would recommend coming and visiting this part of the island. You have the Faerie Glen, which really does seem like it's from another world, and the Quiraing, which is on the Trotternish, quite possibly the prettiest place we saw during our stay. Considering the stunning views that you get all over the island, that's saying something.

The Fairy Pools and an iron age dwelling

Yesterday we went somewhere magical. Sorry for the photo heavy post. I found it very hard to reduce the pictures down, even by this much!

Nestled in a valley, with the mountains protecting it from the elements

One of many waterfalls. It was lovely listening to the constant bubble of water. Even though I needed the loo for the entire walk

The first of the pools. The water really was that blue. In the summer you can go swimming in them

Corey's already picked this one out as his pool.

The walk was lovely. We went early enough to miss the crowds.

As we walked back to the car, quite a few people turned up. Including parents with toddlers: a perfect way to let them have fun and tire themselves out!

The most common picture of the pools. When the light hits it, it makes the water shine and glow blue. Unfortunately we were too early in the day for that to happen!

Corey had asked me if there was anywhere else to go in that general direction. I told him there was an Iron Age broch we could go see. And so we took our achy legs for a bit of a drive to Struan

You can't take him anywhere without him digging in the ground for something.

The Iron Age people definitely picked the right place for a glorious view!

Dun Beag, an Iron Age Broch

Postcard from Skye

View of Scotland from Broadford

Clear sky. Stunning view. Good day to climb a mountain. 

Ben na Caillich

Heart pounding. Calves aching. Making our way up.

Buds appearing. Sun shining. Spring is on its way.

Catching our breath. Looking down. Enjoying the view.

Getting steep. Scrambling up. Wondering how we'll get down.

Body shaking. Realisation I can't go further. Turning back.

Yesterday was the first day I found a mountain I couldn't get to the top of. When faced with a very steep section, where I would have to climb over rocks that may move beneath my feet, I remembered I have a fear of falling. I knew I could get up. I just didn't think I'd be able to go back down again. As my body started shaking, I yelled up to Corey that I was heading down. We may have failed in our attempts, but we got down with all our limbs intact. So I'd call it a success.

Today's walk will be chosen by me. It won't involve near vertical climbs.

Postcard from Skye

As I'm on holiday, and will get told off if I'm on my laptop a lot (he's sleeping at the moment, so he'll never know if you don't tell him!), I'm going to spend the week posting a few photo's from the previous day. It means all I have to do is pick one or two photo's from yesterday, explain what they are and that's it. Today I'm going to write a little more.

On Sunday we drove from Leicester to Carlisle, through the Peak District. We didn't stop to take any photo's, but I have plenty from our time in Edale a couple of years ago. Yesterday we did the second leg: from Carlisle all the way to the Isle of Skye. Corey wanted to go somewhere abroad. Somewhere hot, somewhere away from it all. We were looking at several places, but I knew we'd have to spend more to go and have a decent holiday. Plus, and this sounds so anti-social, I just didn't want to spend it where there would be lots of people. I didn't want noisy market places, and felt like somewhere I know would be peaceful, quiet and good for the soul. I suggested Skye. Me. The girl who craves warmth and celebrates the end of winter. Corey, always one for hiking and exploring the Highlands, agreed. I chose the destination, he chose the place to stay.

The past two weeks have shown me just how much I need a holiday. I was tired, not physically, I wasn't even particularly stressed (or so I thought). I felt weary, though, as if the world was pulling me down. The second we hit Scotland and the mountains appeared, I knew we'd made the right decision. The scenery, with craggy mountains, and the occasional snow tipped peak, soothed me. The mountains and crisp blue sky were reflected in every loch we saw. Then we got to our cottage and watched the sun go down behind the hills. I could live here, happily, gazing out at the sea and mountains each day.

Unfortunately, the pictures I took yesterday are no good. I forgot I was mucking about with my ISO last time I used the camera, so had it turned all the way up, creating a lot of noise on my pictures. They still show some of the beauty of where we went, so I'll put some up, but I won't be keeping them after that! 

Ben Nevis. I may keep this photo, it doesn't look that bad!

Eilean Donan Castle. I actually like what the high ISO has done in this photo!

Loch Duich, with Eilean Donan to the side.

Now I'm off to have breakfast, and then explore some of what this island has to offer!