Caves

I've now been home a week and I can't seem to stop thinking about the wide open spaces I've just come from.  I dream a lot but this week has been even more of a challenge.

It's been a little cool recently given that Australia is experiencing a very cold winter so I think I could be forgiven in thinking that there would be nobody out shooting the sunrise in a remote location.  I was wrong.

I arrived at Caves beach about 20 minutes before sunrise knowing that the tide was rapidly rising and it would be difficult to access the cave.  Wading through the cold water up to my knees in my jeans and trainers, I bumped into Scott from "Daily Salt" who had the same idea.  I've been following Scott for a while on Instagram and always admired the fact that he gets up just about every morning to shoot the waves at Merewether.  He's got some great surf work!  It was strange to meet him here though.

Anyway, it was good not to be alone and luckily the sun rose before we got trapped by the waves!

This cave is super dark inside.  There is no way ( yet) of getting enough detail in both the shadows and the highlights in one shot to make this work so I took multiple exposures here and blended the images.

Camera:  Canon 5d Miii  Lens:  16-35mm II F/2.8  Shutter speed:  Multiple (HDR) Aperture: f/18  ISO: 50  Filter:  Polariser

Back at Merewether!

It's always a tough week coming off a holiday that was so fantastic.  I've been dreaming of wide open spaces and the sound of nothing...it seems so far away now.

Today Merewether has been on my mind too.  It's full moon and that's always the best time to get down to the beach.  Plus, it's winter so there is a nice light balance around the time of moonrise.  Only today I got there too late.  It really gets to me when I watch the light changing, I know where I want to be and life is just getting in the way.

I decided that I have so many shots of the full moon rising over the baths, plus I was too late to get what I wanted so I decided to look for something else.  The gold of the moon against the white light off the spot lights was a little closer to what I was feeling.

The long road home

This morning started with an early rise and a dash to Aberdeen Airport from Inverness.  It was the start of a 41 hour journey back home which would consist of 2 car rides, three train trips and three flights.  The worst part about travel is the actual travel!

I've posted this image before but I thought jt quite relevant at this point as I reflect, again, on this holiday, the people I have met along the way and my unlikely travel companions at the end.  It has been awesome! 

Katherine called this the "Lonely Photographer".  It's true in some sense.  I spent a lot of this trip thinking about my life and I have enjoyed my moments of solitude but, for sure, this wasn't a lonely holiday.  I saw old friends, made new ones and travelled with two women at the end who were kind, respectful and patient.  I came here to get some great photographs and share my experiences with others...all accomplished.  I couldn't have asked for anything more.

Inverness

Somehow it felt like we were getting more and more lazy as the holiday progressed but I think that, today we were just all drained from the preceding long days.  We only left Hilllview house at 11am and planned nothing for the last day of the trip besides a leisurely cruise on Loch Ness.  Sure, it's the touristy thing to do but I was happy to just relax and enjoy the company of my travel mates.

Lunch was at the Oakwood pub across the road from the Jacobite Cruises jetty.  I finished off with one of my favourites...cod and mushy peas.

The cruise, which turned at Urquart Castle was rather uneventful but allowed time to reflect and share.

Katherine and Iza decided it would be a good idea to get a whiskey in before we left.  So, after the cruise we made our way to the Castle Tavern right below Inverness Castle and bought, what I thought, was liquid more costly than gold!  I'm not a whiskey drinker (or a drinker at all for that matter) and it did taste foul but the warmth of the aftertaste left me wanting more.

John 'O Groats and the Duncansby Stacks

This morning I couldn't get out of Sandra's Backpackers fast enough. So bad!

We had to make our way to Inverness so we took the route past John 'O Groats.  A short drive to the Lighthouse and we were on foot again along the coast looking for the right shot.

About 2km from the car it started to rain...and not just a little.  I was drenched by the time I got back and disappointed thinking I hadn't got anything for my troubles.  I wasn't all that happy but some of the shots were "okay" and certainly a lot better than we saw in the coffee shop where we had lunch!

John 'O Groats

Thurso and sunset at the most Northern point on the Scottish mainland

Today we made the long drive up from Elgol to Thurso.  On the map it didn't look like a long way but it sure felt like it.  We made a stop at a great picnic spot at Garve for lunch.  Once again the girls did an awesome job in making sure there was enough food.

We arrived in Thurso around 20h00 and after a quick check in at Sandra's Backpackers (not recommended accommodation), fish and chips at Robin's across the road and then headed 16 miles North for the sunset at Dunnet's Head, the most Northern point on the UK mainland.

We were battered by the wind as we tried to eat behind our cameras.  I retired to the car but Katherine stayed.  She certainly showed her metal in that weather.  The sun took a long time to set and I almost missed it being lazy in the warmth of the Vauxhaul!

I am not sure if the highlight of the day was the sunrise or the Puffins we found when we looked over the edge of the cliff.

Lighthouse at Dunnet's Head

Puffins!!!!

Ramsaig, Idrigall Point and the Maidens

Another day that got off to a slow start but ended up amazing!

We asked Ocean at the Six Willows B&B if she had any recommendations.  Ramsaig and the MacLeod's Maidens were the answer.  So, off we went.

Ramsaig was a beautiful walk down to the water.  We decided to go to the bottom of the cliffs instead of staying high.  This was certainly the right decision.  It was so beautiful, peaceful and colourful down there.

The walk to the MacLeod's Maidens was underestimated by all of us.  Sixteen miles return over pretty rough terrain carrying a heavy pack.  I should have taken water!  Anyway, it was well worth the walk in the end.  I just wish there had been less midges so we could shoot in peace!  It took us six hours all up and as we dragged our weary bodies off to bed we reflected on a very good day.

Cliffs at Ramsaig

MacLeod's Maidens

Looking back on Skye at sunset

Heading West to Dunvegan

Today we left Ballintoy.  Again it was with heavy hearts.  Gavin and Gillian at the Ballintoy B&B did a great job of looking after us.  On we went in the rain to Dunvegan.

We stopped for a quick coffee and Scotch Pie at Skye's oldest bakery (baking since 1870).  The food wasn't much to write home about but just being there was good.

Always on the lookout for good places to shoot, we spotted a little pier on the shore of Loch Dunvegan.  Two hours later and very wet, we had what we wanted and were in need of somewhere to dry off.  Katherine had booked us into Six Willows Guest House in Glendale and we were welcomed by Ocean Graham and her feisty little spaniel.

In the afternoon we decided to head off to Neist Point Lighthouse.  A must shoot spot for any photographer!

Cursory jump at Loch Mor with Katherine Williams and Izabela Jusrka

Shooting at Neist Point

The weather turns foul on Skye

The weather turned foul today on Skye.  We woke at 3am hoping to trek back up to the Old Man of Storr but when I walked out of the house it was raining and blowing a gale.  So, back to bed it was.  As it is I am still quite sick so my body was probably better off with extra sleep albeit disturbed.

We had breakfast and headed out to the start of a walk through the Cuillins.  This too was thwarted by heavy rain so we decided to head back to the B&B and have lunch and chill.  On the way we stopped at a great lookout which probably is the most recognised landscape profile of Skye.  Loch Fada with the Old Man in the distance.  Maybe we'll have better luck tomorrow.

Highland Coo

On to Skye

We left Raasay today with heavy hearts.  It had treated us well for the two nights we had spent on the island.  The Isle of Skye beckoned however.

After a short ferry ride we were back in Sconser and continued up to Ballintoy where Katherine had booked a room for the three of us at the Ballintoy B&B.  We were welcomed by Gavin's Mum as he and Gillian were out.

After settling in, we decided that we were to climb up to the Old Man of Storr today as the weather for tomorrow was set to turn foul.  So that's what we did.

I've seen picture of this area my whole life and dreamed of coming here.  It certainly did not disappoint!

After a few hours up the mountain we moved on to Fairy Glen.  A magical little spot in the North of Skye.

Fairy Glen

Exploring Raasay

Another incredible day on Raasay.  We took a walk from Raasay House to the little village shop at Inverarish, got a lift half way from a nice old man and met up with a lady who gave us some good advice.  "Climb Dun Caan and you are sure to get some good views".  So, off we went chasing the views :).

After a magnificent hike up Dun Caan, we continued along Calums Road to Brochel Castle and Arnish.  The weather was as perfect as the company.

Raasay is an island between the Isle of Skye and the mainland of Scotland. It is separated from Skye by the Sound of Raasay and from Applecross by the Inner Sound. It is most famous for being the birthplace of the poet Sorley MacLean, an important figure in the Scottish literary renaissance.‪

Traditionally the home of Clan MacSween, the island was ruled by the MacLeods from the 15th to the 19th century.  Subsequently a series of private landlords held title to the island, which is now largely in public ownership.‪  Raasay House, which was visited by James Boswell and Samuel Johnson in 1773, is now an outdoor activity centre.‪  Raasay means "Isle of the Roe Deer" and is home to an endemic subspecies of Bank Vole.

Northern part of Callum's Road at Arnish

A dash to Raasay

Today Katherine and Izabela collected me from Calton Hill in Edinburgh and we started our road trip to Skye.  It was good to be on the road again.  After a quick lunch stop at Loch Lagaan we pushed on to Fort William where we lost track of time...

Suddenly there was a mad rush to catch the ferry to Raasay from Sconser.  The GPS said 2h15 to the terminal and we only had 1h45!  With Izabela at the wheel, me on navigation and Katherine on the phone to delay the last ferry, we made it by the skin of our teeth!

We checked into Raasay house which is situated right at the ferry terminal.  What a great place to stay.  Big rooms, awesome breakfast and friendly staff!  I was quite ill today but took some time at sunset to go down to the harbour and contemplate the possibilities that lie ahead.

Lunch at Loch Lagaan

Rasaay House

Edinburgh!

After leaving my old friends in Cambridge I took the train from Ely to Edinburgh.  Train travel in the UK is pleasant but expensive!

I arrived in Edinburgh mid-afternoon and had some time to kill before Katherine and Iza arrived.  I climbed the Scott Monument which I highly recommend at 4 pounds (not if you're afraid of heights like I am!).  After that I took a walk to Calton Hill for sunset...this is a must!

After dark I experimented with a little light painting.  See the pillars below :).

The view from the Scott Monument

Calton Hill

Reunion in Newmarket

Took a drive today with Trevor Birchall and his family from Guildford up to Newmarket to catch up with James.  We've known each other for 30 years and it was great to all be together again and to spend time with the precious families that these two have.  This quick selfie was to only photo I shot today.

London by night

So last night I arrived back in London out of Barcelona.  I took the (very expensive) Gatwick Express into Victoria only to realise that the Underground was closed!  The drivers are on strike.  So, onto the busses I get and 2 hours later I arrive at my hotel in Kensington.  A quick turnaround and I'm back on the bus heading for Westminster.  I had planned to stay near the city instead of with friends in Guildford so that I could shoot some more night scenes and still get to a bed.  

Anyway, I walked up and down the river Thames again looking for angles, colours, lights etc.  This I did almost 20 years ago and it's so good to see how things have improved.  I finally got home at 3am but it was such a great night!

St Pauls

La Pedrera

I spent most of today on the bus but the highlight was most certainly returning to La Pedrera late in the afternoon and then again at night for the light show. I can hardly believe I managed a moment of solitude on the roof. Usually there are crowds of people!  Framed, next to the sculpture, is the Sagrada Famillia in the distance.

Casa Milà, popularly known as La Pedrera, is a modernist building in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. It was the last civil work designed by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí, built between the years 1906 and 1910

Light show on the Guadi sculptures

Tibidabo

Today I took the bus to Tibidabo on the outskirts of Barcelona.  Tibidabo is a mountain overlooking Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. At 512 metres (1,680 ft), it is the tallest mountain in the Serra de Collserola. Rising sharply to the north-west, it affords spectacular views over the city and the surrounding coastline.

On the summit of the mountain is the Sagrat Cor church and Tibidabo Amusement Park. Designed by Enric Sagnier, the church took 60 years to construct and is topped by a sculpture of the Sacred Heart of Jesus by Josep Miret Llopart.

The view from the top of the Sagrat Cor church

Gaudi in Barcelona

I spent the day walking the streets of Barcelona trying to see as much of the Gaudi Architecture as possible.

Antoni Gaudí i Cornet was a Spanish Catalan architect from Reus and the best known practitioner of Catalan Modernism.

The above image is the ceiling of his masterpiece, the Sagrada Famillia.  The Basílica i Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família, is a large Roman Catholic church in Barcelona, Catalonia.

I would have loved to get some good images of the outside but there is so much repair work going on at the moment, it looks awful.

I'll be going back to the other works this week for some night shots...when there are less people around!

Barcelona from Park Guell

Festa Major Terrassa

I spent my last day in Terrassa watching the festivities of the Festa Major.  The highlight of which was the incredible people towers!

A castell is a human tower built traditionally in festivals at many locations within Catalonia.  At these festivals, several colles castelleres (or teams) compete in building and dismantling human towers.  On November 16, 2010, castells were declared, by UNESCO, to be among the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

The light wasn't the best for photo's but to be there was amazing!

The day ended up in Barcelona with dinner and then drinks on a stunning rooftop terrace overlooking the Cathedral in the Gothic quarter with a new friend.  

#justabouttheperfectday

Barcelona Cathedral

A walk up La Mola

Today a group of us took a 30 minute drive from Terrassa to La Mola for a walk.  La Mola is the highest mountain in the Park of Sant Llorenc del Munt i l'Obac and is 1104m ASL. It is one of the characteristic features of the landscape in the region.  At its summit is the Romanesque monastery of Sant Llorenc de Munt which is now converted into a museum and restaurant.

The view from the top over Terrassa to Barcelona is spectacular.

La Mola Monastery

Back in the car park