Whitby
From York, on my previous post, we travelled on to the picturesque fishing town of Whitby, on Yorkshire’s east coast, at the mouth of the river Esk. What a beautiful town, well known for it’s black Jade jewellery, favoured by Queen Victoria and its association with Captain James Cook the famous British explorer.
We stayed about 5 hours in Whitby and while my “better half” visited the local shops, I spent time capturing a few images. We also took the time to enjoy a superb pub lunch of fresh fish and chips. A great day out!
More information on Whitby at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whitby
York
This famous historic walled city, with its odd-looking medieval buildings in the “Shambles” to the majestic historic attractions of York Minster, has much to offer both the “casual” tourist, photographer and the historian.
The city was founded in Roman times circa 71AD and grew as a wool trading centre. In the 19th Century, York was a world-famous centre for confectionary, with Rowntrees and Terrys the main suppliers. As a “chocoholic”, I was fortunate to visit both factories, on company business, in the mid 1980s and was fascinated by the manufacturing processes and the history.
We spent a relaxed couple of days here, but really needed a week to do it justice. Below are a few of the images captured on our recent visit. (both the “old” and the “new”)
For more detailed information on York, please follow this link https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/York
Durham Cathedral (N.E. England)
My “better half” and I recently visited North East England. Needless to say my camera gear went with me, but was not used often, as the weather was a bit dull and the quality of light was poor. Fortunately there were the occasional breaks in the cloud cover and I manages to capture a few images when, for a fleeting moment, the light quality improved dramatically.
The image below of Durham Cathedral, was capture about 1 hour before sunset, when the “soft” sunlight illuminated the west facing towers of this beautiful Sanctuary. Building started on this magnificent place of worship in 1093 and was completed some 40 years later.
More detailed information can be found at this link. http://www.durhamcathedral.co.uk/
Durham Cathedral
Canal Lock at Fort Augustus
Fort Augustus is one of the most picturesque towns along the length of the Caledonian Canal. On a beautiful autumn day, we spent a quiet hour watching the boats passing through the flight of locks. The image shows one of the five locks and on the far left, behind the lock, you can just see Loch Ness.
Trees in Winter
My wife commented that the wintry scene in this image looked like a Christmas Card.
So I am posting this today to wish all my fellow bloggers, “Complements of the Season and Best Wishes for 2013”
Trees in Winter
For some of my other landscape images please follow this link http://wp.me/P1WKsc-M
The 3 Sisters of Glencoe
The group of mountains of Beinn Fhada, Gearr Aonach and Aonach Dubh, shown in the image below, are more commonly known as the 3 Sisters of Glencoe. These mountains form part of a volcanic ridge in Glencoe, known as Bidean nam Bian
For more information please follow this link : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bidean_nam_Bian
For some of my other landscape images please follow this link http://wp.me/P1WKsc-M
Double Canal Locks at Corpach, on the Caledonian Canal
The 62 mile long Caledonian Canal, with a total of 29 locks was originally built to allow wooden sailing ships to travel from the north-east to the south-west of Scotland, avoiding the perilous route via Cape Wrath and the Pentland Firth. It was completed in 1822, after 19 years in construction at a cost of around £910,000. The canal had taken so long to construct, that much larger, iron hulled ships were now in use and the canal was too narrow to accommodate them.
Today the canal attracts many visitors who come to enjoy the magnificent scenery that stretches all the way from Inverness to Fort William.
The image below is of the of the double canal locks at Corpach. Ben Nevis can be seen in the background
Double Canal Locks at Corpach on the Caledonian Canal
For some of my other landscape images please follow this link http://wp.me/P1WKsc-M
Autumn “Peaks” in the Highlands of Scotland
Last week we were fortunate to spend a few days in the beautiful Scottish Highlands.
The end of October/beginning of November is the “height” of autumn here.
I am always amazed at the vivid colours, in the landscape, which is the result of high rainfall (often too much) and the excellent quality of light at this time of year. If you are lucky you may just get a “dusting” of snow on the moutains, which really is the “icing on the cake”
We spent 4 nights in the 2nd lodge, in the image, and travelled into Glencoe and the local countryside in search of beautiful scenery.
The mountain rising, just above the”scotch mist”, about a third in from the left in the image, is Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in Scotland (4,409 ft above sea level)
What an idyllic place ………………… I am now completely “chilled out”
“Scotch Mist” in Glen Nevis
For some of my other landscape images please follow this link http://wp.me/P1WKsc-M
Roman Holiday – Roman Forum
The Roman Forum was the center of public life in Rome. Processions, criminal trials, public speeches all took place in this central area which is located betweem Palatine and Capitoline hills.
This is my final post in this series. However, I have now added a page under “Travel”, which contains all images from my previous “Roman Holiday” posts. It also includes additional images not previously published. I hope you have enjoyed.
Please click on this link http://wp.me/P1WKsc-jl
Roman Forum
Roman Holiday – Inside The Vatican
Continuing on the theme “Roman Holiday”; we went into the Vatican during our visit to Rome. Here are a few images.
The first image is Michelangelo’s La Pieta, which is the only sculpture that he ever signed. It depicts the body of Christ in Mary’s lap after the crucifixion.
The second image is the Main Dome inside the Vatican. Michelangelo designed the dome in 1547 and it was completed in 1590 by Giacomo della Porta and Fontana.
The third image, the Cathedra Petri or ” the Throne of St Peter” is surrounded by an enormous statue of bronze produced by Bernini.
More information can be found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Peter’s_Basilica
Roman Holiday – Swiss Guard
The Swiss Guard has existed since the late 15th century. As guardians of the gates to Vatican City, the Papal Swiss Guard, founded in 1506, is the only remaining Swiss Guard in the world.
Swiss Guard
More information at http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/swiss_guard/swissguard/storia_en.htm
Loch Shiel – Glenfinnan Monument
The Glenfinnan Monument was erected in 1815. It is a memorial tower marking the place where Bonnie Prince Charlie (Charles Edward Stuart) raised his standard at the start of the Jacobite Rebellion of 1745.
Today the monument is in the care of the National Trust for Scotland.
This image was captured on a hill above the National Trust Visitor’s Centre.
Loch Shiel (Glenfinnan Monument)
St Mary and St Finnan’s Church – Glenfinnan
This beautiful church is built on the banks of Loch Shiel. It is a memorial to the Macdonalds of Glenaladale. It is believed that Charles Edward Stuart, “Bonnie Prince Charlie” stayed with the Macdonalds before raising the Jacobite standard in 1745.
St Mary’s and St Finnon’s Church – Glenfinnan
Oban View
We visited Oban during a recent trip to the Scottish Highlands. Oban, located on the mainland, at the northern end of The Firth of Lorn near the entrance to Loch Linnhe, is known as the “Gateway to the Isles”. It is also recognised as the “Seafood capital of Scotland”.
And while I love fresh seafood, for the chocoholics like me, I recommend a visit to the Oban Chocolate Company, who offer a range of delicious hand made chocolates manufactured in their factory in Oban.
More information at http://www.oban.org.uk/
Oban
Julie and Kenneth’s Wedding
A few weeks ago my youngest daughter, Julie married Kenneth at the Lochside House Hotel in New Cumnock, Ayrshire.
We all had a great day, with sunny weather, at a superb venue, in the company of 130+ good friends and family.
We hired a photographer for the celebration, but I just had to take my own camera with me. The images below are just a few shots that I took when I had a spare moment from my “Father of the Bride” duties. Looking forward to seeing the “official” shots
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- Julie and Kenneth
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- Julie
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- Julie and Karen (my other daughter)
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- Myra and Doreen (Groom and Bride’s Mother)
Mallaig Harbour – “The Jacobite’s” Destination
The fishing port of Mallaig is the destination of the “The Jacobite” the vintage steam train, featured in last week’s post.
This peaceful view over Mallaig Harbour, shows the islands of Rum and Eigg on the horizon. In the foreground is the Caledonian MacBrayne car ferry to Skye
Mallaig Harbour
jimreidphoto 