transport

 We do have cars on the island. Plenty of them both running and resting. These are the latter having succumbed to the salty air and islanders driving.  At one time there were an awful lot of resting cars about the place. The villagers used to roll them off the local cliffs at one time but that stopped thank goodness. If you trek across the moors especially near the peat banks you'll se plenty of wrecks out there.

For those photographers, this image was taken with my 1955 minolta A3 rangefinder and Kentmere 200 film.

colin the toof

 Colin used to be a dentist and a fine one at that. Now a grandad in training and partime darkroom printer. We have a lovely print of his in the summer parlour for all to appreciate. Anyway I took this snap of him in an Lanntair many moons ago and printed in the darkroom too. I like it.

OOh look, it's September already!

bosta

 Yes, I have been before as you can see here, but not for a while. despite it being unusually warmish and sunny the car park was surprisingly empty. We stood on the rocks looking over the place and could see a family frolicking or something like that, in the sea.

Yes, we did go onto the beach but no we did not swim of even paddle.

at an island cafe

 You may have read of heard about the American incomer to the island who seems to be intent on bankrupting the community cafe on Great Bernera. Well, here is the cafe and two pals from decades past in the cycling world posing.  The man on the left called David a very successful track sprint rider and later coach of GB track squad and on the right Kris, personal track coach and track manager at Meadowbank track Edinburgh. The former came up from down south uk to see the latter who lives on Valtos these days. I was a last moment addition to the itinerary so we met at this delightful cafe.

I'm allowed

 

fisher people

 

The two Murdos just back from fishing out of Kirkibost. Only mackerel caught I was told but fun was had and it was a glorious day.

I'd threatened with the Hasselblad and they happily complied.

Andy

 This is Andy, owner and curator of Hulabhaig, a small but perfectly formed contemporary art gallery here on the island.  A fine fellow by all accounts with a great eye for lovely island work and a talented sculptor of stone as well.

This was taken at a recent opening of an exhibition by Ishbel Murray where all the people who matter gathered - and us. 

I used good old Hp5 @800 in Rodinal as one does.

our man who does

 

This is Mike, our man who 'does'. Does all he does very well and with much humour. We like him very much and he lives near the village too which is niice. I think at this point he had done the recalcitrant electric catflap, much to Keiths pleasure. Hungry, on the other hand will only use it to go out and not in.

I'll spare you

 

The sign says no dumping. Obvs

Sue

 

Nother snap of Sue at a recent Pro Palestinian event in Stornoway.

Then there's Great Bernera

 

Not your usual snap of Great Bernera but it's one I snappe with the old Perkeo and out of date tmax 400 film. The usual place to go and where the tourist buses go despite the very narrow and winding road is Bosta Beach. It is lovely in winter when you get it to yourself but not a this time of year. We go on this island over the new bridge to play lawn bowls inside the community centre there and delight in the community cafe - which comes recommended. Anyway, this spot is down the Hacklete road. 

harris again

 

I love Harris. It's the bottom part of Lewis and Harris island joined by an isthmus at Tarbert. We don't go that often. It's only 50 miles or so but tortuous you cannot do it in hurry - particularly at night where the sheeps are joined by wandering deer on the road. You can't always see thee deer till the last minute as they refuse to wear hi-vis gear. 

For Palestine

 

For the last while we have been attending the pro-Palestine flag waving in Stornoway centre. And here's one of the lovely supporters. Sadly my memory doesn't permit me for telling you her name but I must say I thought she struck a lovely pose for a great cause. For balance there usually a preacher loudly doing his thing as he has done for the last few years. And there's been a fella with a big Israeli flag, some days wearing an IDF top. Then recently another chap has been preaching on the other side of the square and playing loud Gaelic psalm singing. All very chaotic but interesting all the same.

portrait

 

Yes I did ask this gent in Naples [I think] if I could snap him up and obvs he agree. I just had a Olympus XA with me so that's what I used. I rather like this snap.

summer

 

Not quite in the same league as HCB but a typical summer snap all the same. This one from a trip to Leeds a while back taken using an old Soviet Kiev rangefinder camera. The weather is a bit like this on the island at the moment. Not sure the cruise liner visitors into Stornoway really enjoy that. 

My left knee is a bit crook at the moment rendering walking or cycling somewhat pain inducing. So, my image making is a tad curtailed for the present. Yes, I have asked to see a physio.

portrait

 

someone lovely has just gifted me some photo books several of which are portrait stuff. I like portraits but Eve has got ujpfed with me snapping her up all these years and despite me being quite an outgoing personage I'm not always keen to ask if i snap their likeness up so I do something like this - out on Barvas moor.

Isle of Harris

 

A bit like Lewis but different.

And tricky to move quickly anywhere. but lovely

portrait

 

This I think is my fav portrait I have taken. A lad from the village who is all grown now [since this was 2011] and I hope doesn't look at this blog. 

Had a fine trip down to Mission House Studio the other evening for an exquisite recital - Beethoven, Messian and a local composers called Piers Helliwell. I didn't know the local fella was well known in musical circles and made somewhat a fool of myself beforehand in pre-concert conversation. As it happens I enjoyed his composition best of all - all played by the Gould Piano trio with Robert Plane on clarinet. 

It's quite a trip down to the Mission House on Harris from home so we set off earlier and stopped for dinner in Tarbert. Was really busy there as the ferry was late but we got some nice food and I enjoyed some fish soup down my back courtesy of a waiter. They did apologise and they gave my food free.

Cheating

 

I had the little nikon V1 digital camera with me last time I was in Cromor. I took this snap.

My good pal and former work colleague lives near here in a most wonderful place. A visit was in order as it is regularly.

hovel

 

 I sat here watching the magnificent TDF this year. To the left that is. 

Yes it's cosy.

Staggered

 

Bronnie was taken with Kentmere 2200.

The film dropped on the bottom of the dryer coating the film with detritus.

Hopefully, the judicious use of Affinity Photo saved a couple of snaps. Especially this one down just above the beach below home. 

The land is really interesting down here shaped by millenia of various land uses, rain and Slartybartfest  [obvs] 

As you can see

Not been myself as of late. Been bit of a broken thing to be honest as you can see in this self portrait..

The knee is giving me gip as are most of my joints in one way or another. Must have been something the Doc gave me and I am no longer taking.  Eve has been out two days in a row on a geology trip - basically filling the house with bits of rock on her return. I have had plenty of opportunity to take snaps but could hardly raise the energy. I did in the end stagger down to just above the nearest beach doon the road here. Down the track and everything then took ages to stagger back up again, heart pounding. Bit of a mistake really.

 

intermission

 

I'm still here albeit with a sore knee.

Sorry and all that

 

The doggie insisted on being in the snap. Fair enough really since it's off island owner had paid a minor fortune to look at the stones.

It's open after hours BTW.

hate these stones

 

it's a lovely beach really. Campervans attracted like flies to the car-park. However, at times when you are tempted to cross the river without using bridge, it is possible to end up on one's derrière after slipping on the rocks. I did it one winters day and thought I'd broken my hip. It was however my pride that was dented.

I snapped it up the other day in the sunshine while it wasn't looking. Perkeo and Kentmere 200

sometimes we stop and stare

 

I looked with the Perkeo and Kentmere 200.

rugby

 

Local women's rugby. not sure it still happens here but I caught it when it did. and in colour

wedding on the beach

 

Weddings on a beach is a thing up here - even if it's lashing down as in this image. Our good pals the Machardy's in this c\se. Was a great day despite the rain and covid restrictions.

down below

 

Have not been down here for ageds and neither has Keith - even though it's a mere trot down the road. Must make an expedition with keith here soon.

reworked

 I rather like this image. It might have been poland some years back. It's nicely out of focus as you can see.

the knights [dukes] are drawing in

 

Proof positive that the Duke of Wellington had a fine knight out in Stornoway once, so much so he left a couple of his hats which ended up in the harbour. Ask any local and they will tell you the tail. Probably. The tail, a tall one I might add usually involves The Crit and whisky - inevitably.

Notice the long knecked duck thing looking on. Merely a clockwork one I should imagine to amuse the tourists of which there are many at the moment.

1955 camera

 

Don't tell me your camera is too old. This  middle-aged one does great albeit weighing a tad too much for a 33mm camera - for me an old crock. And I shot this HP5 @ 1600 because I can and developed in Rodinal for the same reason.

I rather like Angine De Potrine "music" though.

Burrell

 

Not to bee missed. The collection nearish to Glasgow.

So much to see, never had time for a string of photographs. There is this one though.

there

 

We passed by on the other side.

As one does.

Dad crofter

 

David, the crofters dad with his cockatoo lurking. 

My dad used to keep those birds I seem to recall. No idea why.

Anyway, David is bouncing a back to fine heath after some eye issues lately. 

My eyes are not so good either these days - especially my right eye and, despite using an autofocus camera I can't always take sharp photos when I want to. Perhaps I shall back to no focus camera and blur.

artist, potter and friend.

 

Oof here's Gwyneth outside her house in Drongan, Scotland. 

Not the best snap I have ever taken but there you are, it's still Gwyneth.

cat in the haar

 

No idea what this cat was called but it posed nicely down on a croft in the haar.

and the ride...

 

Oh look theres Eve and Mr Windy about to set off at the Veloretro ride in Ulverston. Third year of taking part and everything. 

It's Friday again

 

I think we walked down here on a Friday. The sun was shining - but not too hot. We met peeps with dogs, lots of them. Eve has the list if the dogs names

Harrogate

 

I quite like Harrogate. The art gallery is fine even if the museum space is a tad dim.  The cafes are ok too if you avoid the over hyped dainty affair. We did and hit the greasy spoon. For some reason the whole town was stinky as. Stinky as a stinky thing. I think the nearby farmers must hav ebeen fertilising their fields with organic fertiliser. despite that my nephew and his lovely family chose to live there - and very nice it too.  Aptly described in the snap above.

lanes

 

We took a route up o'er  North Yorkshire Dales. It was a mistake. I missed a turning so up we went. narrow roads, walls, moors, coows and sheeps. Twas lovely. Eve didn't like the drive.I loved it.

I think it was near Pately Bridge - where we came across a crown green bowls place which I'd love to have a go at and probably be even worse than I am with the usual bowls on the flat greens.

+2s

 

Quite the latest attire for the discerning bicycle rider in England don't you know. Or should be. I was told they were 'plus twos' not plus fours - along with a comprehensive explanation that obviously went in one ear and out the other. Looks spiffing with the brogues and warm socks.

Oh how lovely

 

A bucolic scene in Northern England. Sheeps safely grazing and everything. 

It wasn't all like this. we went to towns as well don't you know.

biking

 

No not the bike race we saw but a rather lovely and sedate Retro Velo ride in and around Ulverston in the District of Lakes in England. Whilst most of the riders posed on their classic racing bikes dressed in sponsor adorned race-wear, this couple on what I was led to believe to be Rudge bicycles wore period non-sports clothing. And they did the full albeit 30miles course. I snapped them here as they finished the ride. I was sat outside a pub with my friend Deanne and tested the local IPA.

somewhere

 This is somewhere we visited in Yorkshire. Nice place called Richmond I'd told by Eve. We been here a few times. A long time ago to ride cycle grass track racing [around the cricket pitch] , another time to enjoy the delights of the World Cycle road race championships which passed through on here way back to Harrogate. And we revisited the cosy cafe we took tea in back then too.

Cycle race

 I saw this race last year whilst down this way. The course is were few minutes walk from Eve's sisters current house in Yorkshire. This is a typical local race scene. We sat on tother side of the road and there were a few more peeps down the road. Every eight minutes or so you'd hear the lead motorbike then the bunch of cyclists would roar through followed by a few stragglers. Oh the excitement.

Burrell

 Of course we went to the Burrell Collection, again. It's a wonderful cafe and the collection and the building it is housed in just sings. 

I was so moved I took a snap of a shadow. Not sure what of but there it is.

If you have not been please go it's so lovely. We were on our way home from where we had been had some time in hand and an empty stomach.

I had with me a little Olympus XA and Kentmere 200 which was not the ideal combination for the occasion situation but it used it all the same.

we have been off island

 Did you realise?

We are back now and the first of very few films exposed while away have been developed. In time I shall tell you about the RetroRide, the siege with armed policepersons, the family I had not met and the something else I may remember.

meanwhile, phone image:

salvage

 

An amazing place near Wells, Somerset where you can buy statues or ex-soviet tanks.

just one of those things