tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8313816391422348532024-03-24T10:45:27.062-07:00A Highland thingA blog about the exploits and adventures of the Moss O'Brien family relocating in the far north of Scotland.Moss O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02154585424415200501noreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-831381639142234853.post-87264700930134697702012-02-28T09:54:00.005-08:002012-02-28T10:08:31.063-08:00A mountain year<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oZw3IKgiX44/T00XuJg36dI/AAAAAAAACx4/4Qu5EvwBXZg/s1600/IMG_3497.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oZw3IKgiX44/T00XuJg36dI/AAAAAAAACx4/4Qu5EvwBXZg/s320/IMG_3497.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714249583798249938" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1NnaVHwtU-M/T00XuYMcFnI/AAAAAAAACyA/egtYeR-Bz3U/s1600/IMG_3335.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1NnaVHwtU-M/T00XuYMcFnI/AAAAAAAACyA/egtYeR-Bz3U/s320/IMG_3335.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714249587739072114" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uV90Fa5bEwM/T00V2xEOe6I/AAAAAAAACxc/H0z36IzFLVQ/s1600/IMG_2859.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uV90Fa5bEwM/T00V2xEOe6I/AAAAAAAACxc/H0z36IzFLVQ/s320/IMG_2859.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714247532831210402" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7euzkqY2sAM/T00V1rLtQuI/AAAAAAAACw8/8xHqfqSTM8s/s1600/IMG_3897.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7euzkqY2sAM/T00V1rLtQuI/AAAAAAAACw8/8xHqfqSTM8s/s320/IMG_3897.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714247514072105698" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l9tR52YmqlQ/T00V3DoXonI/AAAAAAAACxo/M6KfekbHUYM/s1600/PB050033.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l9tR52YmqlQ/T00V3DoXonI/AAAAAAAACxo/M6KfekbHUYM/s320/PB050033.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714247537814643314" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />We are celebrating our first year in the far North. A year of the same views every day, of everchanging beauty and breathtaking scenes on our doorstep.Moss O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02154585424415200501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-831381639142234853.post-43495835308136604812011-10-02T10:11:00.001-07:002011-10-02T10:24:06.280-07:00Highland Games<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TxVxEqIiZZw/ToicXVpgH_I/AAAAAAAACuM/NUHxfor6uoU/s1600/IMG_9070.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TxVxEqIiZZw/ToicXVpgH_I/AAAAAAAACuM/NUHxfor6uoU/s320/IMG_9070.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658944856553168882" border="0" /></a><br />The kilt wearing Pipe band members wait their turn on a death defying ride.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-28EROITPYNY/ToicXbskupI/AAAAAAAACuE/aJZmXimfKLo/s1600/IMG_3572.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-28EROITPYNY/ToicXbskupI/AAAAAAAACuE/aJZmXimfKLo/s320/IMG_3572.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658944858176666258" border="0" /></a><br />We loved the cheeky dragon rollercoaster at Halkirk games.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2wwPCSzU8ps/ToicXoO4UOI/AAAAAAAACuU/RPLxknhplaE/s1600/IMG_9082.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2wwPCSzU8ps/ToicXoO4UOI/AAAAAAAACuU/RPLxknhplaE/s320/IMG_9082.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658944861541781730" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The flags at Helmsdale Games.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZTEIDmx8Xiw/ToicBdOtaOI/AAAAAAAACt0/DcXDmjJHdbk/s1600/IMG_8898.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZTEIDmx8Xiw/ToicBdOtaOI/AAAAAAAACt0/DcXDmjJHdbk/s320/IMG_8898.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658944480631154914" border="0" /></a><br />Indy's house of fun was fun for the kids, and a little bit nerve wracking for the grown ups.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PDM5GPOY1io/ToicBQFE0UI/AAAAAAAACts/FvRE4PwyveM/s1600/IMG_3559.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PDM5GPOY1io/ToicBQFE0UI/AAAAAAAACts/FvRE4PwyveM/s320/IMG_3559.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658944477101084994" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />Thrilling.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uszpSv0bwbs/ToicBIc9_1I/AAAAAAAACtk/3xrPi1jBDec/s1600/IMG_3553.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uszpSv0bwbs/ToicBIc9_1I/AAAAAAAACtk/3xrPi1jBDec/s320/IMG_3553.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658944475053817682" border="0" /></a><br />A large man throws a large object at Halkirk games.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5s64oZa43BI/ToicA1cWviI/AAAAAAAACtc/S0XnZCuAZgk/s1600/IMG_8886.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5s64oZa43BI/ToicA1cWviI/AAAAAAAACtc/S0XnZCuAZgk/s320/IMG_8886.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658944469950971426" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The kids spent all our money on this ride.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uDO9HKPBaPM/ToicBo1j05I/AAAAAAAACt8/glLAQhV_c00/s1600/IMG_3565.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uDO9HKPBaPM/ToicBo1j05I/AAAAAAAACt8/glLAQhV_c00/s320/IMG_3565.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658944483746894738" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />Fantastic painting.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />It has been a while since we posted because we had such a busy summer with lots of work and play. We have enjoyed visiting various Highland games across the far north and here are a selection of images. We really enjoyed the fairgrounds as they reminded us of the fairs of our childhood, and the kids loved them too. As well as the fairground rides the Highland Games are full of things to see and do, lots of great local produce for sale, lots of dancing and music, and the games of course.Moss O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02154585424415200501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-831381639142234853.post-80652497312822163812011-07-27T03:36:00.001-07:002011-08-15T02:34:34.471-07:00Dunrobin Castle<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BYFoElzjUis/Ti_r084f-4I/AAAAAAAACqA/XlNJaOqB7LA/s1600/IMG_8334.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BYFoElzjUis/Ti_r084f-4I/AAAAAAAACqA/XlNJaOqB7LA/s320/IMG_8334.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633980953792609154" border="0" /></a>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qI2nuqNpX-Q/Ti_r02M1XuI/AAAAAAAACp4/i4-vi4HgMbk/s1600/IMG_3148.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qI2nuqNpX-Q/Ti_r02M1XuI/AAAAAAAACp4/i4-vi4HgMbk/s320/IMG_3148.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633980951998848738" border="0" /></a>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x16IR7DVAQM/Ti_r0gtW9RI/AAAAAAAACpw/I5NeQnWhLwY/s1600/IMG_3161.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x16IR7DVAQM/Ti_r0gtW9RI/AAAAAAAACpw/I5NeQnWhLwY/s320/IMG_3161.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633980946229687570" border="0" /></a>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JMB24H-IT_s/Ti_rAGWLc-I/AAAAAAAACpg/F9GAQRECpm4/s1600/IMG_3150.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JMB24H-IT_s/Ti_rAGWLc-I/AAAAAAAACpg/F9GAQRECpm4/s320/IMG_3150.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633980045799945186" border="0" /></a>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q5X8lL2EuCc/Ti_q_1oPPgI/AAAAAAAACpQ/qZGtgqYwV1Y/s1600/IMG_3138.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q5X8lL2EuCc/Ti_q_1oPPgI/AAAAAAAACpQ/qZGtgqYwV1Y/s320/IMG_3138.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633980041312288258" border="0" /></a>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8m12dFRDsmE/Ti_q_hqg9FI/AAAAAAAACpI/BVtXHY_zopI/s1600/IMG_3132.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8m12dFRDsmE/Ti_q_hqg9FI/AAAAAAAACpI/BVtXHY_zopI/s320/IMG_3132.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633980035953128530" border="0" /></a>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ccKDRz70ep0/Ti_rAWSr8II/AAAAAAAACpo/bjWm1xohU7Q/s1600/IMG_3159.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ccKDRz70ep0/Ti_rAWSr8II/AAAAAAAACpo/bjWm1xohU7Q/s320/IMG_3159.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633980050080264322" border="0" /></a>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Dunrobin <a href="http://www.dunrobincastle.co.uk/">castle </a>has stood here in various forms since the 13th century.
<br />It has been built on over the years but the original form still remains.
<br />We visited recently and saw a great falconry display, with one very impressive Eagle Owl. One of the falcons decided to attack a nest of jackdaws instead of doing his routine display, which added some drama to the occasion.
<br />Moss O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02154585424415200501noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-831381639142234853.post-58010159309808753642011-07-15T13:23:00.000-07:002011-07-15T13:35:40.041-07:00Sea, sky and some stone<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c-WuM7dmSAc/TiCjRDfjWQI/AAAAAAAACog/MuTyb4vo0Mo/s1600/IMG_3319.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c-WuM7dmSAc/TiCjRDfjWQI/AAAAAAAACog/MuTyb4vo0Mo/s320/IMG_3319.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629679047603869954" border="0" /></a><br />the silver sea as seen from our back door.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x91bEXYlbo4/TiCjQ-FyhwI/AAAAAAAACoY/95bn_MPxZeo/s1600/IMG_3279.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x91bEXYlbo4/TiCjQ-FyhwI/AAAAAAAACoY/95bn_MPxZeo/s320/IMG_3279.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629679046153635586" border="0" /></a><br />The stones at Achavanich.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CifI2Wc6Icc/TiCjQlFrS_I/AAAAAAAACoQ/LPXOkeINnII/s1600/IMG_3351.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CifI2Wc6Icc/TiCjQlFrS_I/AAAAAAAACoQ/LPXOkeINnII/s320/IMG_3351.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629679039442275314" border="0" /></a><br />The Sky on fire, looking North West from the front door.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TAyPA5kwn2E/TiCjQWEUqLI/AAAAAAAACoI/ydynmPvmr70/s1600/IMG_3348.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TAyPA5kwn2E/TiCjQWEUqLI/AAAAAAAACoI/ydynmPvmr70/s320/IMG_3348.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629679035410065586" border="0" /></a><br />A spectre hangs from the clouds at sunset.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CAvXYfBoHj0/TiCjRWYTrQI/AAAAAAAACoo/_gcVuoO4wBI/s1600/IMG_3327.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CAvXYfBoHj0/TiCjRWYTrQI/AAAAAAAACoo/_gcVuoO4wBI/s320/IMG_3327.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629679052673756418" border="0" /></a><br />Several forms of cloud at once painted across the frame.Moss O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02154585424415200501noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-831381639142234853.post-68527510633323966752011-06-18T02:14:00.000-07:002011-06-18T02:38:59.441-07:00Loch More<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JTD58bChSMM/TfxvQ2qbSHI/AAAAAAAACkA/RnAc1f_VVXk/s1600/IMG_3221.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JTD58bChSMM/TfxvQ2qbSHI/AAAAAAAACkA/RnAc1f_VVXk/s320/IMG_3221.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619488770393589874" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The bridge over the River Thurso.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-va0LyVrKG40/TfxvQdnXTvI/AAAAAAAACj4/dSwJ-Ik8W8E/s1600/IMG_3248.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-va0LyVrKG40/TfxvQdnXTvI/AAAAAAAACj4/dSwJ-Ik8W8E/s320/IMG_3248.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619488763669860082" border="0" /></a><br />The Salmon leap at the weir on Loch More.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4Ku4eECWa7E/TfxvRLIT3-I/AAAAAAAACkI/PBrm1CLvna0/s1600/IMG_3223.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4Ku4eECWa7E/TfxvRLIT3-I/AAAAAAAACkI/PBrm1CLvna0/s320/IMG_3223.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619488775887642594" border="0" /></a><br />A natural salmon leap from the shallows to the deeper pool on the approach to Loch More.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IxmBcbaM_kw/Tfxt-sYfSKI/AAAAAAAACjo/wfuYbKeZevk/s1600/IMG_3243.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IxmBcbaM_kw/Tfxt-sYfSKI/AAAAAAAACjo/wfuYbKeZevk/s320/IMG_3243.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619487358884726946" border="0" /></a><br />Looking south across the Loch to the sentinels of Caithness, Morven, Maiden's pap and Scaraben.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g-Z_Dpl-YaI/Tfxt-VExSbI/AAAAAAAACjg/gM5g9W_gBUc/s1600/IMG_3246.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g-Z_Dpl-YaI/Tfxt-VExSbI/AAAAAAAACjg/gM5g9W_gBUc/s320/IMG_3246.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619487352628005298" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The flow down the salmon leap.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FUL6m5KSnIE/Tfxt923D_qI/AAAAAAAACjY/7Uj2f0mGjTw/s1600/IMG_3230.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FUL6m5KSnIE/Tfxt923D_qI/AAAAAAAACjY/7Uj2f0mGjTw/s320/IMG_3230.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619487344517447330" border="0" /></a><br />The water flows powerfully over the edge of the weir.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TBmv23v24K0/Tfxt9iBAbJI/AAAAAAAACjQ/TyFHksygOqo/s1600/IMG_3212.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TBmv23v24K0/Tfxt9iBAbJI/AAAAAAAACjQ/TyFHksygOqo/s320/IMG_3212.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619487338922011794" border="0" /></a><br />The fisherman's cottage at Loch More.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Loch More is in the middle of nowhere, in the heart of the flow country, surrounded by a vast blanket of peat bog. There are no dwellings, factories, fast food restaurants, no farms or fences, just fecund soil and water, with occasional mountains rising in counterpoint to the dark lochans that speckle the landscape. Loch More is teeming with the salmon that swim up the river Thurso and leap the shallows and the slopes to their breeding grounds in the Loch.Moss O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02154585424415200501noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-831381639142234853.post-10895075176616227132011-06-12T16:16:00.000-07:002011-06-12T16:31:35.964-07:00Dunnet Head<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4yD4L9PQP5g/TfVLDmjgcYI/AAAAAAAACig/REP_TLDm9cs/s1600/IMG_3205.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4yD4L9PQP5g/TfVLDmjgcYI/AAAAAAAACig/REP_TLDm9cs/s320/IMG_3205.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617478635475726722" border="0" /></a><br />The view south west towards Scaraben and Morven.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ogv7vOFYlRs/TfVLEEBnC-I/AAAAAAAACio/LizHPO4PrGg/s1600/IMG_3210.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ogv7vOFYlRs/TfVLEEBnC-I/AAAAAAAACio/LizHPO4PrGg/s320/IMG_3210.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617478643386616802" border="0" /></a><br />Loooking North to the island of Hoy and Scapa Flow.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z5MZLMqKpfY/TfVKty8MyeI/AAAAAAAACiQ/xNZqpa2gfeE/s1600/IMG_3195.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z5MZLMqKpfY/TfVKty8MyeI/AAAAAAAACiQ/xNZqpa2gfeE/s320/IMG_3195.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617478260843399650" border="0" /></a><br />Loooking South East towards Duncansby head and John o Groats.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wfCS8EhoSvQ/TfVKtaiKw5I/AAAAAAAACiI/wSJhqKd_R7Q/s1600/IMG_3194.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wfCS8EhoSvQ/TfVKtaiKw5I/AAAAAAAACiI/wSJhqKd_R7Q/s320/IMG_3194.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617478254291764114" border="0" /></a><br />The most northerly plein air bathtubs on the British mainland.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-raTb8mTy33I/TfVKtJTUGfI/AAAAAAAACiA/_eORbQeoEdE/s1600/IMG_3193.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-raTb8mTy33I/TfVKtJTUGfI/AAAAAAAACiA/_eORbQeoEdE/s320/IMG_3193.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617478249666058738" border="0" /></a><br />Across the Atlantic to the Orkney islands<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KvrZAr-o2bE/TfVKsqp33hI/AAAAAAAACh4/ziQHfunBlHg/s1600/IMG_3189.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KvrZAr-o2bE/TfVKsqp33hI/AAAAAAAACh4/ziQHfunBlHg/s320/IMG_3189.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617478241439178258" border="0" /></a><br />Looking west to the cliffs of Dunnet head and the county of Sutherland in the distance.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jK21hqeQkRc/TfVKue4ndII/AAAAAAAACiY/FW9Eem9mZQ8/s1600/IMG_3204.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jK21hqeQkRc/TfVKue4ndII/AAAAAAAACiY/FW9Eem9mZQ8/s320/IMG_3204.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617478272639530114" border="0" /></a><br />Thumbs and fingers up!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Dunnet head is the most northerly point of mainland Britain, it is spectacular!Moss O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02154585424415200501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-831381639142234853.post-9136307274134007422011-06-07T07:33:00.000-07:002011-06-07T07:51:12.447-07:00more skies<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mn0g6IEVQyU/Te46L0KjPKI/AAAAAAAACho/FVtSaXCKc7E/s1600/IMG_3001.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mn0g6IEVQyU/Te46L0KjPKI/AAAAAAAACho/FVtSaXCKc7E/s320/IMG_3001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615489760033455266" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ee2ytcgcrEM/Te46MQBLVmI/AAAAAAAAChw/flGMPjpgMYw/s1600/IMG_3000.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ee2ytcgcrEM/Te46MQBLVmI/AAAAAAAAChw/flGMPjpgMYw/s320/IMG_3000.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615489767510333026" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aGNNB1j3Isk/Te4346HaF9I/AAAAAAAAChY/W8oAV_ClB-U/s1600/IMG_2988.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aGNNB1j3Isk/Te4346HaF9I/AAAAAAAAChY/W8oAV_ClB-U/s320/IMG_2988.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615487236190115794" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--eSiqD35J-Y/Te434Q0b75I/AAAAAAAAChQ/rpNzM7skuOw/s1600/IMG_2971.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--eSiqD35J-Y/Te434Q0b75I/AAAAAAAAChQ/rpNzM7skuOw/s320/IMG_2971.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615487225104691090" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-abuhPYRcpuc/Te434LnitXI/AAAAAAAAChI/LeyFIeZye94/s1600/IMG_2970.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-abuhPYRcpuc/Te434LnitXI/AAAAAAAAChI/LeyFIeZye94/s320/IMG_2970.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615487223708431730" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wwVNW7QJARs/Te435Tr_xqI/AAAAAAAAChg/GPi67wZDP-U/s1600/IMG_3003.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wwVNW7QJARs/Te435Tr_xqI/AAAAAAAAChg/GPi67wZDP-U/s320/IMG_3003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615487243054466722" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Caithness has the biggest skies we have seen, comparable to the deserts of the USA, but different because of the angle of the sunlight.Moss O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02154585424415200501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-831381639142234853.post-23073273001324012042011-05-27T06:37:00.000-07:002011-05-27T06:45:07.339-07:00heavy weather<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xEOQN5GokJI/Td-p-JG-BNI/AAAAAAAACgA/zoRaxLOSfCk/s1600/IMG_2921.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xEOQN5GokJI/Td-p-JG-BNI/AAAAAAAACgA/zoRaxLOSfCk/s320/IMG_2921.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611390545789060306" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BMI5j1A8Z34/Td-p9xjq4kI/AAAAAAAACf4/k1Iq1PE8EEU/s1600/sign.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BMI5j1A8Z34/Td-p9xjq4kI/AAAAAAAACf4/k1Iq1PE8EEU/s320/sign.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611390539466990146" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l1yx_U_g_pg/Td-p9nLXwuI/AAAAAAAACfw/FiDWTQUgrd4/s1600/storm2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l1yx_U_g_pg/Td-p9nLXwuI/AAAAAAAACfw/FiDWTQUgrd4/s320/storm2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611390536680719074" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i_LVSYYb-g0/Td-p9UUgUcI/AAAAAAAACfo/dCboUaDxENg/s1600/storm.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 242px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i_LVSYYb-g0/Td-p9UUgUcI/AAAAAAAACfo/dCboUaDxENg/s320/storm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611390531618755010" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7rc9tu5Ahj0/Td-p-T-_EPI/AAAAAAAACgI/UB3tNqI3BOY/s1600/IMG_7915.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7rc9tu5Ahj0/Td-p-T-_EPI/AAAAAAAACgI/UB3tNqI3BOY/s320/IMG_7915.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611390548708364530" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />We had a big storm recently, it affected most of Scotland and we lost electricity at one stage, the sea was very rough and quite spectacular and there were some very nice rainbows too, but the wind was so strong and the rain so hard that we couldn't begrudge the little field mouse who found shelter in our utility room.Moss O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02154585424415200501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-831381639142234853.post-81305044355111909412011-05-17T10:35:00.000-07:002011-05-17T10:48:56.391-07:00Exquisite Light<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CxxOyITipUc/TdKz1uRcoJI/AAAAAAAACc8/FKEGbhHjhW4/s1600/IMG_7687.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CxxOyITipUc/TdKz1uRcoJI/AAAAAAAACc8/FKEGbhHjhW4/s320/IMG_7687.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607742221565337746" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z2mIUAPQlE8/TdK0ocFzp2I/AAAAAAAACdE/64TaTpGEt38/s1600/IMG_7649.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z2mIUAPQlE8/TdK0ocFzp2I/AAAAAAAACdE/64TaTpGEt38/s320/IMG_7649.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607743092858005346" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E6s8zHrV9ME/TdKz1Yl_wGI/AAAAAAAACcs/HZk-_NBgxwU/s1600/IMG_7660.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E6s8zHrV9ME/TdKz1Yl_wGI/AAAAAAAACcs/HZk-_NBgxwU/s320/IMG_7660.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607742215745945698" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jNdHaaKXjY0/TdKzMjtGmCI/AAAAAAAACcU/MQAAocwIYfM/s1600/IMG_7429.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jNdHaaKXjY0/TdKzMjtGmCI/AAAAAAAACcU/MQAAocwIYfM/s320/IMG_7429.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607741514353907746" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yrR9B-khjkE/TdKzM62IcNI/AAAAAAAACcc/ng8IP8SQz_c/s1600/IMG_7419.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yrR9B-khjkE/TdKzM62IcNI/AAAAAAAACcc/ng8IP8SQz_c/s320/IMG_7419.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607741520565792978" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z6VRAT7aelY/TdKzNM86aMI/AAAAAAAACck/HVabox70Jps/s1600/IMG_7425.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z6VRAT7aelY/TdKzNM86aMI/AAAAAAAACck/HVabox70Jps/s320/IMG_7425.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607741525426071746" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fsB8MUEKsho/TdKzMWtKXWI/AAAAAAAACcM/apTbHF8dToE/s1600/IMG_7436.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fsB8MUEKsho/TdKzMWtKXWI/AAAAAAAACcM/apTbHF8dToE/s320/IMG_7436.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607741510864493922" border="0" /></a>Moss O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02154585424415200501noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-831381639142234853.post-23288599752395369292011-05-15T07:01:00.000-07:002011-05-15T07:03:05.744-07:00The Return of the Wizard<iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/KjnGMA3rk-E" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" width="640"></iframe><br />Filmed at Sinclair's bay, Caithness, music recorded in Caithness and Hertfordshire.Moss O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02154585424415200501noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-831381639142234853.post-4567068988897269472011-05-08T04:59:00.000-07:002011-05-11T14:22:13.449-07:00The Castle of Mey.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S7fLljyTQ1U/Tcquyn2ZmhI/AAAAAAAACYo/Vtbz1h3B2r8/s1600/IMG_7086.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S7fLljyTQ1U/Tcquyn2ZmhI/AAAAAAAACYo/Vtbz1h3B2r8/s320/IMG_7086.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605484870929848850" border="0" /></a>Kids on the ramparts.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XTNipygUYGY/TcaH1We9ISI/AAAAAAAACTc/ZAV-zAtuzuA/s1600/IMG_7065.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XTNipygUYGY/TcaH1We9ISI/AAAAAAAACTc/ZAV-zAtuzuA/s320/IMG_7065.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604316136947392802" border="0" /></a>It is a a very turret bumptious castle.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cxE6GRQ9Fxg/TcaH1tSingI/AAAAAAAACTs/h-jMu98_QMw/s1600/IMG_7075.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cxE6GRQ9Fxg/TcaH1tSingI/AAAAAAAACTs/h-jMu98_QMw/s320/IMG_7075.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604316143069339138" border="0" /></a><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span>A view from the walled gardens where the Queen Mum grew her herbs.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UltTCORtpNY/TcaH1npCWoI/AAAAAAAACTk/7VnvaiBswKs/s1600/IMG_7060.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UltTCORtpNY/TcaH1npCWoI/AAAAAAAACTk/7VnvaiBswKs/s320/IMG_7060.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604316141553080962" border="0" /></a>This lovely lane leads down to the enclosures where they keep all manner of farm related animals.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L6JgrKb1PTk/TcaH1wLwUEI/AAAAAAAACT0/gDG-SfM-ZxQ/s1600/IMG_7080.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L6JgrKb1PTk/TcaH1wLwUEI/AAAAAAAACT0/gDG-SfM-ZxQ/s320/IMG_7080.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604316143846182978" border="0" /></a>A view from the gardens.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.castleofmey.org.uk/index.cfm">The Castle of Mey</a> is the Queen Mother's former holiday home, and before she purchased it, was the seat of the Sinclairs of Mey. During the 2nd world war it was used as a residence for officers.<br /><br />After the war the Queen Mother bought it as Barrogill castle and then renamed it as the Castle of Mey, it's former name when under Sinclair occupation. She tarted the place up a bit in the style of the times, the early 1950s, and never really refurbished it since then so the interior (which we were unable to photograph) is a time capsule of 1950s design. It looks like a great den for parties, bijou affairs out of the glare of the nation.<br /><br />We enjoyed our visit, despite having only a passive interest in Royalty, and some disdain for privilege, we could appreciate the human aspects and infusions that create a special ambience, a sense of an urge and a need to get away from it all as far away as possible from all that hullabaloo down south, sentiments we can well appreciate.Moss O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02154585424415200501noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-831381639142234853.post-52575672424161225592011-05-08T03:56:00.000-07:002011-05-08T04:34:56.897-07:00Camster Cairns<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9bSC77Zx0ME/TcZ4mtSE47I/AAAAAAAACTE/YTWqCCMMc1Y/s1600/IMG_6895.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9bSC77Zx0ME/TcZ4mtSE47I/AAAAAAAACTE/YTWqCCMMc1Y/s320/IMG_6895.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604299392694936498" border="0" /></a>By the long cairn.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9CTvULabfZw/TcZ4nE47iHI/AAAAAAAACTU/hnLuCd55qgQ/s1600/IMG_6899.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9CTvULabfZw/TcZ4nE47iHI/AAAAAAAACTU/hnLuCd55qgQ/s320/IMG_6899.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604299399031916658" border="0" /></a>The round cairn.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H1hFIB7UQEs/TcZ36vmCsII/AAAAAAAACS8/kqc8SriAcqo/s1600/IMG_6891.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H1hFIB7UQEs/TcZ36vmCsII/AAAAAAAACS8/kqc8SriAcqo/s320/IMG_6891.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604298637401305218" border="0" /></a><br />Perhaps the cairns were built by small people?<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6iwnuCsNf10/TcZ3llKP-9I/AAAAAAAACS0/Enpvd-SDZsg/s1600/IMG_6885.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6iwnuCsNf10/TcZ3llKP-9I/AAAAAAAACS0/Enpvd-SDZsg/s320/IMG_6885.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604298273823128530" border="0" /></a><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span>There is a gift shop and various fast food restaurants inside.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The drive to Camster Cairns is very pleasant, up a gentle dale on a long straight, quiet road. It is a road through more than 5000 years of dwelling, a desire trail north through the bog and forest to the fertile plains around the lochs of Watten and Toftingall. As with most ancient structures, there are theories and notions about the use and origin of the structures and they tend towards the common conjecture that the buildings were for religious, ritual and/or burial purpose. We tend towards balancing such theories with reasonable alternatives, in this case the structures were very good places for storage and shelter, and we believe that was their primary useage, perhaps as some form of wayside shelter, much like a motorway service station.Moss O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02154585424415200501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-831381639142234853.post-68345687950638612692011-04-20T11:27:00.000-07:002011-04-20T11:57:19.207-07:00April trails.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dsdy-Z8PYJg/Ta8oP3wKH8I/AAAAAAAACPU/FTFx_9XT-u8/s1600/204839_10150219158410960_561015959_8421371_7645650_o.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dsdy-Z8PYJg/Ta8oP3wKH8I/AAAAAAAACPU/FTFx_9XT-u8/s320/204839_10150219158410960_561015959_8421371_7645650_o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597737114973904834" border="0" /></a><br />Loch Watten<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZQYTVn8qbNk/Ta8oK2JKU3I/AAAAAAAACPM/Zaz7Ln_-MDI/s1600/201829_10150216653845960_561015959_8392314_7954540_o.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZQYTVn8qbNk/Ta8oK2JKU3I/AAAAAAAACPM/Zaz7Ln_-MDI/s320/201829_10150216653845960_561015959_8392314_7954540_o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597737028642558834" border="0" /></a><br />Helmsdale Train station.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g4lhS-A12co/Ta8n_sE01UI/AAAAAAAACPE/jXFV9D85eek/s1600/IMG_6855.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g4lhS-A12co/Ta8n_sE01UI/AAAAAAAACPE/jXFV9D85eek/s320/IMG_6855.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597736836961457474" border="0" /></a><br />The beautiful secret beach at Dunbeath.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FkpNVG_DvSQ/Ta8nnKFmzcI/AAAAAAAACO8/GNWYTlw377A/s1600/IMG_6829.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FkpNVG_DvSQ/Ta8nnKFmzcI/AAAAAAAACO8/GNWYTlw377A/s320/IMG_6829.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597736415521066434" border="0" /></a><br />View south from the beach towards Dunbeath castle on the edge of the cliffs.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uTnmKz4Lz_I/Ta8nJueWmEI/AAAAAAAACO0/_LAT9sDmxWw/s1600/210267_10150219158830960_561015959_8421374_2058479_o.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uTnmKz4Lz_I/Ta8nJueWmEI/AAAAAAAACO0/_LAT9sDmxWw/s320/210267_10150219158830960_561015959_8421374_2058479_o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597735909892462658" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.caithnessarchaeology.org.uk/camster.html"><br />The Grey Cairns of Camster</a> (not to be confused with the psychedelic tie dyed Cairns of Bumster) 3500 year old Neolithic structures in the wilds of Caithness, getting the thumbs up of approval from the munchkins.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dZPPWI2z4Nk/Ta8mcgxEQLI/AAAAAAAACOs/r6_icYliDvk/s1600/IMG_6808.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dZPPWI2z4Nk/Ta8mcgxEQLI/AAAAAAAACOs/r6_icYliDvk/s320/IMG_6808.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597735133118742706" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duncansby_Head">Duncansby head</a>, right on the far north east corner of Scotland, home to thousands of sea birds, note the spiky sea stacks in the middle distance.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TkwupDw92YI/Ta8l68xC5KI/AAAAAAAACOc/dD4DPj-Owqo/s1600/IMG_6778.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TkwupDw92YI/Ta8l68xC5KI/AAAAAAAACOc/dD4DPj-Owqo/s320/IMG_6778.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597734556519294114" border="0" /></a><br />The curve of Sinclair's bay looking towards <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ackergill_Tower">Ackergill Tower.</a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Some views from recent tours around the wild, mysterious and beautiful Caithness, the secretly spectacular corner of Scotland.Moss O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02154585424415200501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-831381639142234853.post-20385161753548007152011-04-17T13:21:00.001-07:002011-04-17T14:08:00.919-07:00Fish and Chips<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-blC8rEJQRAE/TatROyr9A5I/AAAAAAAACM8/Gf2EfK2lDj8/s1600/IMG_6860.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-blC8rEJQRAE/TatROyr9A5I/AAAAAAAACM8/Gf2EfK2lDj8/s320/IMG_6860.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596656276504118162" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.lamirage.org/">La Mirage</a> is a special restaurant.<br />We recommend you get the battered Haddock, and you don't have to have tea or coffee with your fish and chips, they have a wine list and a selection of ales, and the decor is as fabulous as their most famous patron, the late Dame Barbara Cartland.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7CLcVPLxWBk/TatOscGBgyI/AAAAAAAACMk/lc_6FjV2CeI/s1600/IMG_6861.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7CLcVPLxWBk/TatOscGBgyI/AAAAAAAACMk/lc_6FjV2CeI/s320/IMG_6861.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596653487300641570" border="0" /></a>This scantily clad lamp stand, suitably dressed for a very warm and sunny april sunday, would look great in our country cottage.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ghxT5Efo8NM/TatOcjrel0I/AAAAAAAACMc/dBE0f-dgJu8/s1600/IMG_6863.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ghxT5Efo8NM/TatOcjrel0I/AAAAAAAACMc/dBE0f-dgJu8/s320/IMG_6863.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596653214458877762" border="0" /></a>This fella makes sure nobody leaves without paying, and guards the lamp stand from wandering hands.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DWLH8TATyyU/TatOPnKHAUI/AAAAAAAACMU/-XhUfhe7pBE/s1600/IMG_6867.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DWLH8TATyyU/TatOPnKHAUI/AAAAAAAACMU/-XhUfhe7pBE/s320/IMG_6867.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596652992054362434" border="0" /></a>Note the double portion of fish and huge platter of chips.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5JqJiTNMXEg/TatN3yiiWjI/AAAAAAAACMM/LsX52CGXAtI/s1600/IMG_6869.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5JqJiTNMXEg/TatN3yiiWjI/AAAAAAAACMM/LsX52CGXAtI/s320/IMG_6869.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596652582792747570" border="0" /></a>Superb battered haddock, chips, mushy peas and a side salad, washed down with <a href="http://www.sinclairbreweries.co.uk/bottle_northern_light.html">Northern Light</a>, a lovely pale ale from Orkney Brewery. The plate is massive, look how it dwarfs the pint pot.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FmYPa7uiqMA/TatMdMLyE9I/AAAAAAAACL8/-EfZly60s9I/s1600/IMG_6870.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FmYPa7uiqMA/TatMdMLyE9I/AAAAAAAACL8/-EfZly60s9I/s320/IMG_6870.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596651026308535250" border="0" /></a>This lady is employed to lure passing trade, although we were lured by giant battered haddock.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yV59Y3YoxB8/TatMLnUqVnI/AAAAAAAACL0/iTbkUASsJ_Y/s1600/IMG_6876.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yV59Y3YoxB8/TatMLnUqVnI/AAAAAAAACL0/iTbkUASsJ_Y/s320/IMG_6876.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596650724355888754" border="0" /></a>After the meal we had no room in our tummies for tea, coffee or snacks.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.lamirage.org/">La Mirage</a> is the greatest fish and chip shop with the tastiest fish, the lightest, crunchiest golden batter, the chunkiest chips and the hugest portions in the known universe and beyond!Moss O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02154585424415200501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-831381639142234853.post-80815508612334927992011-04-15T13:00:00.000-07:002011-04-15T13:17:47.129-07:00in the vicinity<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vRQtzcsGPOQ/Taink14PSYI/AAAAAAAACLs/6CCi5rI7pNw/s1600/204703_10150204235720960_561015959_8290602_7552548_o.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vRQtzcsGPOQ/Taink14PSYI/AAAAAAAACLs/6CCi5rI7pNw/s320/204703_10150204235720960_561015959_8290602_7552548_o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595906788387932546" border="0" /></a><br />The local cliffs, home to hundreds of seabirds.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ayooI6XoQr8/TaimOeW5ZPI/AAAAAAAACLk/8B5sov0owJ4/s1600/191432_10150203574965960_561015959_8284198_3608045_o.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ayooI6XoQr8/TaimOeW5ZPI/AAAAAAAACLk/8B5sov0owJ4/s320/191432_10150203574965960_561015959_8284198_3608045_o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595905304605320434" border="0" /></a><br />Sunset from the cottage.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hvmNecDT1yY/TaimJ3vRVEI/AAAAAAAACLc/ICWHcWP9CW4/s1600/209519_10150196315795960_561015959_8259951_8218290_o.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hvmNecDT1yY/TaimJ3vRVEI/AAAAAAAACLc/ICWHcWP9CW4/s320/209519_10150196315795960_561015959_8259951_8218290_o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595905225519092802" border="0" /></a><br />Friendly neighbour.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2XS9kVFR7AQ/Taikz1DEyQI/AAAAAAAACLU/jZQq84RX0iA/s1600/210186_10150216780425960_561015959_8393042_3388790_o.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2XS9kVFR7AQ/Taikz1DEyQI/AAAAAAAACLU/jZQq84RX0iA/s320/210186_10150216780425960_561015959_8393042_3388790_o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595903747328100610" border="0" /></a><br />Primrose.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VvNlIn0gXm8/TaiknAjtM6I/AAAAAAAACLM/Mn3oqVuoYt8/s1600/220815_10150213717915960_561015959_8372088_4403419_o.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VvNlIn0gXm8/TaiknAjtM6I/AAAAAAAACLM/Mn3oqVuoYt8/s320/220815_10150213717915960_561015959_8372088_4403419_o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595903527079457698" border="0" /></a><br />Highland bat devil.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MkKYnc1nJ84/TaikipHf0bI/AAAAAAAACLE/_uTLiB1s0pk/s1600/192050_10150204245115960_561015959_8290633_1769690_o.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MkKYnc1nJ84/TaikipHf0bI/AAAAAAAACLE/_uTLiB1s0pk/s320/192050_10150204245115960_561015959_8290633_1769690_o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595903452067647922" border="0" /></a><br />The lighthouse.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Some views from the immediate vicinity of our home.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5ktcd5umybU/Taikdf3YYjI/AAAAAAAACK8/qX5_HtOTceI/s1600/204703_10150204235720960_561015959_8290602_7552548_o.jpg"><br /></a>Moss O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02154585424415200501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-831381639142234853.post-42561289534278069472011-04-10T01:35:00.000-07:002011-04-10T16:23:20.325-07:00the cottage<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nYapimf0icI/TaIWgkggu8I/AAAAAAAACJg/BP-F_OCHJ3I/s1600/218691_10150211088405960_561015959_8349459_1036694_o.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nYapimf0icI/TaIWgkggu8I/AAAAAAAACJg/BP-F_OCHJ3I/s320/218691_10150211088405960_561015959_8349459_1036694_o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594058435959241666" border="0" /></a><br />Spring eventually arrived in the garden, better late than never.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lL3kbr4AV9Q/TaIWPaw2rWI/AAAAAAAACJQ/VzPA0KQGWTI/s1600/192360_10150204262075960_561015959_8290712_1057096_o.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lL3kbr4AV9Q/TaIWPaw2rWI/AAAAAAAACJQ/VzPA0KQGWTI/s320/192360_10150204262075960_561015959_8290712_1057096_o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594058141285657954" border="0" /></a><br />The house from the Harbour side of Swiney Hill.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wn2ioAKDWFk/TaIWK92xnYI/AAAAAAAACJI/pXACpSCF6O8/s1600/202073_10150209371410960_561015959_8334221_370597_o.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wn2ioAKDWFk/TaIWK92xnYI/AAAAAAAACJI/pXACpSCF6O8/s320/202073_10150209371410960_561015959_8334221_370597_o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594058064806387074" border="0" /></a><br />The Mothership, the mountains and the onshore oil rig in the foreground.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kD3keT1Ue0U/TaIUZbr8-SI/AAAAAAAACJA/80HV-ZSQsOo/s1600/IMG_6656.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kD3keT1Ue0U/TaIUZbr8-SI/AAAAAAAACJA/80HV-ZSQsOo/s320/IMG_6656.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594056114308970786" border="0" /></a>Touching down a few hoops with the homies in the yard, as they might (never) say across the pond.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kfG4-V87Pmc/TaIUOLNY7bI/AAAAAAAACI4/RxmRNrnpWk8/s1600/IMG_6653.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kfG4-V87Pmc/TaIUOLNY7bI/AAAAAAAACI4/RxmRNrnpWk8/s320/IMG_6653.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594055920907251122" border="0" /></a><br />Tulip from the garden.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wDeWwZSB8BU/TaIUDb-syzI/AAAAAAAACIw/1GZQ4mt6C0I/s1600/IMG_6648.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wDeWwZSB8BU/TaIUDb-syzI/AAAAAAAACIw/1GZQ4mt6C0I/s320/IMG_6648.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594055736430480178" border="0" /></a><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span>Someone left the gate open, run for it.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-66YxzCB_sy4/TaIT4jPYONI/AAAAAAAACIo/6kyWtEHoXpQ/s1600/IMG_6646.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-66YxzCB_sy4/TaIT4jPYONI/AAAAAAAACIo/6kyWtEHoXpQ/s320/IMG_6646.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594055549400922322" border="0" /></a>Dry ice.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--13wOec4c7I/TaFs5z2X2gI/AAAAAAAACIQ/ZkH2ezwQsIE/s1600/IMG_6595.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--13wOec4c7I/TaFs5z2X2gI/AAAAAAAACIQ/ZkH2ezwQsIE/s320/IMG_6595.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593871952597473794" border="0" /></a><br />The young lady gets to work on the land.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eVienU7tb6U/TaFs1ZzIlmI/AAAAAAAACII/5KMdb7lC0ac/s1600/IMG_6593.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eVienU7tb6U/TaFs1ZzIlmI/AAAAAAAACII/5KMdb7lC0ac/s320/IMG_6593.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593871876885091938" border="0" /></a><br />The young man gets busy with his barrow.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yK3FcHQF_BA/TaFsrmyc9tI/AAAAAAAACIA/tFKtu7Onmuo/s1600/IMG_6586.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yK3FcHQF_BA/TaFsrmyc9tI/AAAAAAAACIA/tFKtu7Onmuo/s320/IMG_6586.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593871708573202130" border="0" /></a><br />The view from the bedroom, with sky whale.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />We have been settling in at our new home, unpacking boxes and exploring the environment. The weather has gone from spring, to winter, then to summer, all in a week. The sea fogs obliterate the vistas but on a clear day you can see right across the Moray Firth to the Grampian mountains over 50 miles away. We love the place.Moss O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02154585424415200501noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-831381639142234853.post-52473405579753201362011-04-07T03:30:00.000-07:002011-04-07T03:43:54.637-07:00The move.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3lbVO1RHbmc/TZ2TmxU5KLI/AAAAAAAACG8/88AnmBfRIGs/s1600/IMG_6466.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3lbVO1RHbmc/TZ2TmxU5KLI/AAAAAAAACG8/88AnmBfRIGs/s320/IMG_6466.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592788606549305522" border="0" /></a><br />Territorial markings.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--nWCOAZO0WY/TZ2TblwUtlI/AAAAAAAACG0/u3VKkbiW7_8/s1600/IMG_6465.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--nWCOAZO0WY/TZ2TblwUtlI/AAAAAAAACG0/u3VKkbiW7_8/s320/IMG_6465.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592788414464570962" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Looking for adventure.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TIkIwXBJMNQ/TZ2TNjmamHI/AAAAAAAACGs/Qn8AwJXY6cQ/s1600/IMG_6462.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TIkIwXBJMNQ/TZ2TNjmamHI/AAAAAAAACGs/Qn8AwJXY6cQ/s320/IMG_6462.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592788173367974002" border="0" /></a><br />The Hallway.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tKPdBuCsiqc/TZ2S7IKrEaI/AAAAAAAACGk/_8ipXGxfmmE/s1600/IMG_6460.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tKPdBuCsiqc/TZ2S7IKrEaI/AAAAAAAACGk/_8ipXGxfmmE/s320/IMG_6460.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592787856766210466" border="0" /></a>A very old chesterfield sofa, uncomfortable, too low but full of memories, and probably lots of sticky fluffy things down the back.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YVypgZVPgEs/TZ2SsgYf9xI/AAAAAAAACGc/taF6zIJnUFw/s1600/IMG_6457.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YVypgZVPgEs/TZ2SsgYf9xI/AAAAAAAACGc/taF6zIJnUFw/s320/IMG_6457.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592787605568616210" border="0" /></a>Unloading the few things we own was a quick and easy job.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dm-cQS-dOv4/TZ2Shf_x0MI/AAAAAAAACGU/nt9QSGpbPXg/s1600/IMG_6456.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dm-cQS-dOv4/TZ2Shf_x0MI/AAAAAAAACGU/nt9QSGpbPXg/s320/IMG_6456.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592787416486367426" border="0" /></a>The Lorry arrives.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />We moved into the new house at last, all our stuff was stored offshore on Orkney, and when it came we realised that we hardly have anything and have a lot of space to fill, and even more space to explore.Moss O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02154585424415200501noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-831381639142234853.post-12174511056899282852011-04-06T13:43:00.000-07:002011-04-08T05:38:21.189-07:00the sound of breaking glass<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GJr7WMQdpNg/TZzSWmtJuLI/AAAAAAAACFs/GA5-MxhsPjE/s1600/IMG_6434.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GJr7WMQdpNg/TZzSWmtJuLI/AAAAAAAACFs/GA5-MxhsPjE/s320/IMG_6434.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592576123076196530" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Students work and the lovely Bottle of Whaligoe mineral water made by James Maskrey.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-afz3pLLq3u0/TZzSPWOxPNI/AAAAAAAACFk/0YA9SXeHUek/s1600/IMG_6429.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-afz3pLLq3u0/TZzSPWOxPNI/AAAAAAAACFk/0YA9SXeHUek/s320/IMG_6429.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592575998394711250" border="0" /></a><br />Some of the students work.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-419xUiYKhmg/TZzRZTzyckI/AAAAAAAACFU/qbkZDSHQ91U/s1600/IMG_6386.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-419xUiYKhmg/TZzRZTzyckI/AAAAAAAACFU/qbkZDSHQ91U/s320/IMG_6386.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592575070031737410" border="0" /></a><br />Squeeezing and bending.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SAhb_b_jlmI/TZzRQFqdpbI/AAAAAAAACFM/YFQLB-0Dm9g/s1600/IMG_6393.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SAhb_b_jlmI/TZzRQFqdpbI/AAAAAAAACFM/YFQLB-0Dm9g/s320/IMG_6393.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592574911615706546" border="0" /></a><br />The heating rods.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uhnLEhcoolY/TZzREVCf0GI/AAAAAAAACFE/fC_W_sp951E/s1600/IMG_6378.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uhnLEhcoolY/TZzREVCf0GI/AAAAAAAACFE/fC_W_sp951E/s320/IMG_6378.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592574709584613474" border="0" /></a><br />Twisting and turning.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fSkrM3LLbGI/TZzQ7z1ezaI/AAAAAAAACE8/9pCnmR2CHME/s1600/IMG_6388.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fSkrM3LLbGI/TZzQ7z1ezaI/AAAAAAAACE8/9pCnmR2CHME/s320/IMG_6388.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592574563232697762" border="0" /></a><br />Jim Maskrey picking up the molten glass.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pgl1zGzangg/TZzQvJWaK8I/AAAAAAAACE0/9GRK0hI-bj4/s1600/IMG_6373.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pgl1zGzangg/TZzQvJWaK8I/AAAAAAAACE0/9GRK0hI-bj4/s320/IMG_6373.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592574345669651394" border="0" /></a><br /><br />One of the fiery furnaces full of molten glass.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Images from a week long glass making masterclass at North Lands, for students from Sunderland University, given by<a href="http://www.cohesionglassnetwork.org/member_profile.php?member=34"> James Maskrey</a> the "Glass Master" as Aran called him. It was hot! and shiny, and wonderful to witness.Moss O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02154585424415200501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-831381639142234853.post-82240064912584859062011-03-25T13:54:00.001-07:002011-03-25T14:05:12.092-07:00looking up<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-emzyDiin5SU/TY0CQEHMWaI/AAAAAAAACCQ/PPd-4sa872Q/s1600/IMG_6412.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-emzyDiin5SU/TY0CQEHMWaI/AAAAAAAACCQ/PPd-4sa872Q/s320/IMG_6412.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588125187641727394" border="0" /></a><br />the sun descends behind folds of cloud.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ee16Wb7iAlo/TY0B5Pa9yoI/AAAAAAAACCA/Y5a3DY0Igv8/s1600/IMG_6409.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ee16Wb7iAlo/TY0B5Pa9yoI/AAAAAAAACCA/Y5a3DY0Igv8/s320/IMG_6409.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588124795540458114" border="0" /></a><br />Blobby clouds over Scaraben and Morven.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PU5fOXS_iZM/TY0BvPKO_JI/AAAAAAAACB4/lSFmaJ97umA/s1600/IMG_6408.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PU5fOXS_iZM/TY0BvPKO_JI/AAAAAAAACB4/lSFmaJ97umA/s320/IMG_6408.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588124623671590034" border="0" /></a><br />looking south east over the Moray Firth.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q4jgFjpxOd8/TY0BkW-DMHI/AAAAAAAACBw/bEMnriG7bdM/s1600/IMG_6407.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q4jgFjpxOd8/TY0BkW-DMHI/AAAAAAAACBw/bEMnriG7bdM/s320/IMG_6407.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588124436789407858" border="0" /></a><br />Looking east from the cottage.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E_F7GOHK7MM/TY0BYTC44DI/AAAAAAAACBo/sgJCRB4hPSQ/s1600/IMG_6406.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E_F7GOHK7MM/TY0BYTC44DI/AAAAAAAACBo/sgJCRB4hPSQ/s320/IMG_6406.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588124229577531442" border="0" /></a><br />Stripey clouds looking west from the cottage.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iFq2atZOv2M/TY0BOWZ6exI/AAAAAAAACBg/2ZxMBadc04g/s1600/IMG_6401.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iFq2atZOv2M/TY0BOWZ6exI/AAAAAAAACBg/2ZxMBadc04g/s320/IMG_6401.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588124058680720146" border="0" /></a><br />Stripey clouds above Lybster Village.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Caithness is famous for its vast skies and exquisite light.Moss O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02154585424415200501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-831381639142234853.post-34571946165977714082011-03-23T12:12:00.000-07:002011-03-23T13:42:59.416-07:00Latheronwheel Harbour<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EFMo51vklLg/TYpHxXWOcYI/AAAAAAAACBA/80aKVPSwxdA/s1600/IMG_6355.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EFMo51vklLg/TYpHxXWOcYI/AAAAAAAACBA/80aKVPSwxdA/s320/IMG_6355.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587357201112920450" border="0" /></a><br />The beach and fissured cliffs.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4H_MGFLRgW0/TYpHkFmzhDI/AAAAAAAACA4/uA8P7pWz-T8/s1600/IMG_6351.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4H_MGFLRgW0/TYpHkFmzhDI/AAAAAAAACA4/uA8P7pWz-T8/s320/IMG_6351.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587356973012321330" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The door in the rocks on the harbour side.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n4GSNYP2LZM/TYpHcG95-ZI/AAAAAAAACAw/y5AXUymMI-E/s1600/IMG_6352.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n4GSNYP2LZM/TYpHcG95-ZI/AAAAAAAACAw/y5AXUymMI-E/s320/IMG_6352.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587356835938695570" border="0" /></a><br /><br />the bridge over the burn.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fGpxRW81eVM/TYpHSdHtSsI/AAAAAAAACAo/6rHdAA-uWKs/s1600/172494_10150165066925960_561015959_8176450_7335641_o.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fGpxRW81eVM/TYpHSdHtSsI/AAAAAAAACAo/6rHdAA-uWKs/s320/172494_10150165066925960_561015959_8176450_7335641_o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587356670086695618" border="0" /></a><br />The sea stack on the beach side.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XtOo886uJWU/TYpHLhcN8nI/AAAAAAAACAg/V8vB52oSosw/s1600/173082_10150164740300960_561015959_8171767_447549_o.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XtOo886uJWU/TYpHLhcN8nI/AAAAAAAACAg/V8vB52oSosw/s320/173082_10150164740300960_561015959_8171767_447549_o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587356550987379314" border="0" /></a><br />the slipway.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NjNm45Ijbb0/TYpHC1IGq0I/AAAAAAAACAY/qpWWAfa8Mkk/s1600/IMG_6346.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NjNm45Ijbb0/TYpHC1IGq0I/AAAAAAAACAY/qpWWAfa8Mkk/s320/IMG_6346.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587356401652902722" border="0" /></a><br />The harbour is hewn from natural rock and seems to grow out of the cliff walls which are presumably the local mudstone or Caithness flagstone as it is known.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a9l3V6BAxqk/TYpG5Eb2mfI/AAAAAAAACAQ/MCDDZ4GsRE0/s1600/IMG_6344.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a9l3V6BAxqk/TYpG5Eb2mfI/AAAAAAAACAQ/MCDDZ4GsRE0/s320/IMG_6344.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587356233963575794" border="0" /></a><br />A rusty old winch.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ABaVNR_XrQ8/TYpGXQj9xBI/AAAAAAAACAI/EEjYGARCx88/s1600/IMG_6341.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ABaVNR_XrQ8/TYpGXQj9xBI/AAAAAAAACAI/EEjYGARCx88/s320/IMG_6341.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587355653103272978" border="0" /></a><br />Looking out across the sea wall.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Two words sum up Latheronwheel harbour; blooming gorgeous. It is a breathtaking spot, the combination of man made harbour and sea worn nature is amazing and it all flows into each other contiguously, there is nothing incongruous. As well as a lovely beach and a sheltered pool which will be good for swimming in summer, there is a narrow wooded strath where the burn flows out to the sea, with some broadleaf foliage, a mix of native and introduced trees, lots of wildlife including the elusive (though not round here) Roe Deer.<div style='clear: both; text-align: center; font-size: xx-small;'>Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.3</div>Moss O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02154585424415200501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-831381639142234853.post-13960630481792347572011-03-21T11:36:00.001-07:002011-03-21T11:54:48.159-07:00Wilderness<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WQEjOD8FYZI/TYecdFAwOrI/AAAAAAAACAA/7VNutSSMusI/s1600/191250_10150165788625960_561015959_8185927_2439462_o.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WQEjOD8FYZI/TYecdFAwOrI/AAAAAAAACAA/7VNutSSMusI/s320/191250_10150165788625960_561015959_8185927_2439462_o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586605886151867058" border="0" /></a><br />The view south west from Lybster towards the mountains, Scaraben, Morven and Maiden's Pap.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mba0fo6nxFQ/TYecOY-DpAI/AAAAAAAAB_4/fK32JGzypSA/s1600/IMG_6319.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mba0fo6nxFQ/TYecOY-DpAI/AAAAAAAAB_4/fK32JGzypSA/s320/IMG_6319.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586605633811227650" border="0" /></a><br />Snow clad Scaraben rises above the moorland.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q5z41il4OV8/TYeb__FOEXI/AAAAAAAAB_w/qGHNfMPoChA/s1600/IMG_6322.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q5z41il4OV8/TYeb__FOEXI/AAAAAAAAB_w/qGHNfMPoChA/s320/IMG_6322.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586605386343780722" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The distinctively shaped and aptly named Maiden's Pap lifts the land towards the sky.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EFcaMmzhGnU/TYebuLmlRUI/AAAAAAAAB_o/RPWQgMhg7QY/s1600/IMG_6326.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EFcaMmzhGnU/TYebuLmlRUI/AAAAAAAAB_o/RPWQgMhg7QY/s320/IMG_6326.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586605080467293506" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The bridge at Braemore.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RIpDK-YiA1s/TYebVfeQVaI/AAAAAAAAB_Y/GSz4ZQnT9KU/s1600/IMG_6327.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RIpDK-YiA1s/TYebVfeQVaI/AAAAAAAAB_Y/GSz4ZQnT9KU/s320/IMG_6327.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586604656304346530" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Berriedale water.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bFN_fVchYMc/TYebMvwJdOI/AAAAAAAAB_Q/O7uQpYyzmQA/s1600/IMG_6328.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bFN_fVchYMc/TYebMvwJdOI/AAAAAAAAB_Q/O7uQpYyzmQA/s320/IMG_6328.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586604506055537890" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The Valley floor at Braemore.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lm3cj5j4jdQ/TYea-lxSPaI/AAAAAAAAB_I/6y6UxRGVmeA/s1600/IMG_6330.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lm3cj5j4jdQ/TYea-lxSPaI/AAAAAAAAB_I/6y6UxRGVmeA/s320/IMG_6330.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586604262857784738" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Maiden's Pap.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Since we arrived in Caithness we have been entranced by the mountains that dominate the south western horizon. We decided to visit them last weekend. We were lucky to see some of the wildlife that inhabits this very sparse and wild moorland. We saw pheasants, geese, rabbits, buzzards, and as we crossed the moors to the mountain valley two columns of wild red deer crossed our path. They were so well camouflaged in the heather and brown grass that we didn't see them until they broke for the open moorland. We didn't manage to get any pictures, they were too far away by the time we had stopped being gobsmacked by the encounter.Moss O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02154585424415200501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-831381639142234853.post-42678908471790267402011-03-20T02:53:00.000-07:002011-03-20T03:23:45.155-07:00Aspects of and beyond the house on the hill.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BteGhQawOjo/TYXSiC0Ub4I/AAAAAAAAB-4/LGHVlb8iRjs/s1600/IMG_6254.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BteGhQawOjo/TYXSiC0Ub4I/AAAAAAAAB-4/LGHVlb8iRjs/s320/IMG_6254.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586102395136667522" border="0" /></a><br />The view from the back.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--w2pd9j5_Ts/TYXR97WLrcI/AAAAAAAAB-w/k_0kUv4CVL0/s1600/IMG_6223.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--w2pd9j5_Ts/TYXR97WLrcI/AAAAAAAAB-w/k_0kUv4CVL0/s320/IMG_6223.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586101774655925698" border="0" /></a><br />the sign for the track up the hill to the house, note the clouds, they look hand painted.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--GkEQUqEgiY/TYXQt9mE6rI/AAAAAAAAB-Y/1rRhKoxbj74/s1600/IMG_6219.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--GkEQUqEgiY/TYXQt9mE6rI/AAAAAAAAB-Y/1rRhKoxbj74/s320/IMG_6219.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586100400869927602" border="0" /></a>The Gorge with native woodland, by the side of the house.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rIt4rx29w1g/TYXQBoAsYyI/AAAAAAAAB-Q/PGPMyhRgS7A/s1600/IMG_6238.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rIt4rx29w1g/TYXQBoAsYyI/AAAAAAAAB-Q/PGPMyhRgS7A/s320/IMG_6238.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586099639161742114" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />the house is there on the hill, to the right of the bobbly hat.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pbH7ejTq2kw/TYXO9XrWPHI/AAAAAAAAB-A/ef3qHWW5q-I/s1600/192868_10150155526970960_561015959_8088177_278445_o.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pbH7ejTq2kw/TYXO9XrWPHI/AAAAAAAAB-A/ef3qHWW5q-I/s320/192868_10150155526970960_561015959_8088177_278445_o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586098466546138226" border="0" /></a><br />There it is, enjoying the sunset. It is bigger than it looks here, it is a single storey cottagewith huge rooms and huge views.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />We have found a place to live, it is lovely, but we are not in there yet, we should be there by the end of March. We will post more photos when we get in there.Moss O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02154585424415200501noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-831381639142234853.post-34571089100488340562011-03-15T11:00:00.001-07:002011-03-15T11:00:44.480-07:00the flow<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/i7yY4J8wDAQ" frameborder="0"></iframe><br />An ode to continuity. The flow country is the peat bog moorland of the North Highlands, the water flows out to the sea. Music and video by m4sk 22. Filmed at Dunnet bay in Caithness, the far north of Scotland.Moss O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02154585424415200501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-831381639142234853.post-82837131657536315472011-03-07T10:52:00.000-08:002011-03-07T11:14:00.602-08:00Jan De Groot...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vGD7sDqNZIc/TXUrU-LCnRI/AAAAAAAAB94/a6CeDH6rJaE/s1600/IMG_6210.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vGD7sDqNZIc/TXUrU-LCnRI/AAAAAAAAB94/a6CeDH6rJaE/s320/IMG_6210.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581414952482282770" border="0" /></a><br />The old Hotel, site of Jan De Groot's house.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EDXhElRLFoE/TXUrIUG6YsI/AAAAAAAAB9w/pzH4TzLtfsE/s1600/IMG_6217.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EDXhElRLFoE/TXUrIUG6YsI/AAAAAAAAB9w/pzH4TzLtfsE/s320/IMG_6217.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581414735032246978" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Towards the harbour, as the sign says.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yw9Vh5EAFSA/TXUq62ySImI/AAAAAAAAB9o/bKY-MhxaEEo/s1600/IMG_6204.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yw9Vh5EAFSA/TXUq62ySImI/AAAAAAAAB9o/bKY-MhxaEEo/s320/IMG_6204.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581414503822795362" border="0" /></a><br />weedy sea.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AtoYvWmKOqA/TXUqs1hMZPI/AAAAAAAAB9g/MQ8ck60OgOw/s1600/IMG_6201.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AtoYvWmKOqA/TXUqs1hMZPI/AAAAAAAAB9g/MQ8ck60OgOw/s320/IMG_6201.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581414262964511986" border="0" /></a><br />Looking West.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KtXXHOjxmMw/TXUqWxw9fkI/AAAAAAAAB9Y/xG0_AK0Ivdg/s1600/IMG_6203.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KtXXHOjxmMw/TXUqWxw9fkI/AAAAAAAAB9Y/xG0_AK0Ivdg/s320/IMG_6203.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581413883999780418" border="0" /></a><br />The view across the Pentland Firth to Stroma.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Named after Jan De Groot, a Netherlander who, in the 1490s, obtained the charter to run a ferry to Orkney, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_o%27_Groats">John o' Groats</a> has been called a tourist trap and was recently voted the most dismal town in Scotland. This is understandable as the harbour area is full of tourist shops selling an incredible array of Tartan Tat, but we weren't there for the trinkets and clan memorabilia, the Nessie chocolates, the shortbread and the Tams. As we descended from the hills into John o' Groats the view was spectacular, with views of the tiny flattened island of Stroma, the gnarled outcrops of the Pentland Skerries and the Orkney Archipelago behind, looming through the sea mist. Like any tourist town, if you like a bit of faded glamour (the old John o' Groats hotel for example) and appreciate the desperate commercialism, it has it's charm, and like Las Vegas, the Vatican, or the Great Wall of China,where there is a traveller there will always be a hawker. The selling point of John o' Groats is that it is supposed to be the most northerly point of the mainland UK, which it isn't, but it is certainly the most north easterly tourist trap, and it's location is spectacular, and the truly magnificent sights of Duncansby head await to the right of the town.Moss O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02154585424415200501noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-831381639142234853.post-63502212332591668062011-03-06T09:39:00.000-08:002011-03-06T09:58:56.302-08:00Girnigoe Sinclair Castle<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--Nq2SeghkqU/TXPIroei3dI/AAAAAAAAB9Q/XOf6nNB2eck/s1600/197985_10150104770502019_656832018_7038380_5209702_n.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--Nq2SeghkqU/TXPIroei3dI/AAAAAAAAB9Q/XOf6nNB2eck/s320/197985_10150104770502019_656832018_7038380_5209702_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581025015167638994" border="0" /></a>The view looking down from the castle.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-URchQXK0pkc/TXPIc6l7aCI/AAAAAAAAB9I/X2ZZIPxmSW0/s1600/197763_10150104771072019_656832018_7038382_2531769_n.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-URchQXK0pkc/TXPIc6l7aCI/AAAAAAAAB9I/X2ZZIPxmSW0/s320/197763_10150104771072019_656832018_7038382_2531769_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581024762332407842" border="0" /></a>A window view down to the rocks.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IO0vTVAQA2k/TXPIUk8NpWI/AAAAAAAAB9A/z5ZHutwgehA/s1600/191179_10150152074580960_561015959_8052265_2262966_o.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IO0vTVAQA2k/TXPIUk8NpWI/AAAAAAAAB9A/z5ZHutwgehA/s320/191179_10150152074580960_561015959_8052265_2262966_o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581024619081344354" border="0" /></a>A doorway out to the void.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dGDjmgy_QqU/TXPIGvAocAI/AAAAAAAAB84/F4KLJxpQYZM/s1600/199469_10150104771817019_656832018_7038385_3026118_n.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dGDjmgy_QqU/TXPIGvAocAI/AAAAAAAAB84/F4KLJxpQYZM/s320/199469_10150104771817019_656832018_7038385_3026118_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581024381266063362" border="0" /></a>one sleepy baby in a sling, when she woke she said she dreamed about the sea.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-98qct_SIRzc/TXPH7jsGe7I/AAAAAAAAB8w/uGYuSpCDOHo/s1600/199415_10150104767847019_656832018_7038369_8304886_n.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-98qct_SIRzc/TXPH7jsGe7I/AAAAAAAAB8w/uGYuSpCDOHo/s320/199415_10150104767847019_656832018_7038369_8304886_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581024189248601010" border="0" /></a>the footbridge at the site of the original castle drawbridge.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eflizDjeD68/TXPHrxxBEoI/AAAAAAAAB8g/ggYoFLQ-rbo/s1600/196015_10150104769147019_656832018_7038374_8119300_n.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eflizDjeD68/TXPHrxxBEoI/AAAAAAAAB8g/ggYoFLQ-rbo/s320/196015_10150104769147019_656832018_7038374_8119300_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581023918149407362" border="0" /></a><br />The remains of the Castle and a trawler out to sea.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zrxzGSERgpo/TXPG-XFy18I/AAAAAAAAB8A/79Uu8k0iFEc/s1600/198031_10150104763482019_656832018_7038348_4143489_n.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zrxzGSERgpo/TXPG-XFy18I/AAAAAAAAB8A/79Uu8k0iFEc/s320/198031_10150104763482019_656832018_7038348_4143489_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581023137894684610" border="0" /></a><br />the walk over Noss head to the castle.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />We visited the Castle of Girnigoe Sinclair. So named as it was originally Girnigoe castle, the seat of the Norse earls of Caithness, and then Sinclair Castle was built onto the site which is the ancestral seat of the <a href="http://www.clansinclair.org/">Clan Sinclair.</a> We were very lucky to visit at a time when the Castle, which is being renovated at present, was opened to some archaeology students from Glasgow university, so we were able to have a good look inside, and were most fortunate to meet the Earl of Caithness himself, the chief of the Clan Sinclair, who showed us around and told us a little of the restoration project and some of the history. A fascinating day of great fortune.Moss O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02154585424415200501noreply@blogger.com2