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.