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Left at just after mid day for the drive up to Skye. It was bucketing down. Hardly taking time to rain. By the time we got to Stirling it was easing off a bit and when we left the motorway for the Callander road Scamp said she could see blue sky. Sure enough, the clouds were lifting and the rain was easing off to an intermittent drizzle. For some reason, police were stopping south bound cars for what looked like a spot check at Tyndrum. Don’t know why that was, but there was nothing on the north bound side. Stopped at Rannoch Moor to get some photos and walking across the long grass by the river, I saw (and photographed) a dragonfly. The climate is very strange this year. Dragonflies in October? Unheard of. Immediately after that I fell and twisted my ankle. I thought it was much worse because I heard a definite ‘click’ as I fell in a pot hole. Thought it might be broken, but although it’s plenty sore, there’s no swelling yet and I can move it. Silly auld bugger. Still, I got the shot I was aiming for, so it’s all right. Sitting in the ‘bunkhouse without bunks’ at the Loch Leven Hotel. Actually very nice looking, and the bunkhouse, which looks like a converted out building is fine. May go for a walk later.

Went for a walk under the Ballachulish bridge and got some shots of the low sun. It was cold, but not freezing. Decided to go along the path to Bishop’s Bay. The path was quite gloomy through a pine wood, but opened out onto a rocky headland. A woman we passed said we should risk the slimy rocks because the views over the top were amazing. So, I’ve got a dodgy ankle which is giving me gyp. I just stayed on the save ground. Nah, don’t be stupid, there’s photos ready for the taking there! Up and over the (not very) slimy rocks and through the oak trees at the top to see the glorious view up the loch. One of those places where you could just sit down and enjoy the light and the colours. Unfortunately, Scamp hadn’t risked the (almost not) slimy rocks, so I had to grab a few shots and go back down to meet her before she got worried that I’d broken my ankle this time. Memorable.

Dinner in the hotel at night and a nice pint of micro brewery (actually nano brewery) IPA and a great waitress with a bit of a sense of humour playing vinyl albums because that’s what they do on a Wednesday. Glad Scamp booked this hotel.

As usual, click the photo to see larger images.

I was up early this morning, just after 7.00, trying to finish off yesterday’s marathon file management work. Eventually got it sorted. Now I’ve got to work out the code to keep it working the way I want. I’ve got a few ideas about how to progress, but they’re a bit clunky. There must be an elegant solution just waiting to be found.

Got fed up sitting in the house watching the rain, so I went in to Glasgow on the train after I finally got parked at the station. That place is a nightmare. I’d hate to have to drive there each morning to get to work. Actually, I’d just hate going to work now 🙂 Thankfully I don’t have to. Got the Pentel brush pen I was looking for to use with #Inktober. Then I got three water brushes in Millers or whatever it is now for less than the cost of one anywhere else. I’m presently writing this on the train on the way home, still looking for that elegant solution.

Harissa Chicken with Chickpeas for dinner tonight, and it actually worked. I’ve given up any ideas I had of going on Bake Off. It’s Masterchef for me now. That way I’ll be able to tell that fat, baldy bastard Wallace to shut his fat face, and cook Harissa Chicken with Chickpeas as my signature dish!

Oh, yes, and the elegant solution I was harping on about? I found it. It was a simple one line rule in Hazel and I could have used it yesterday and saved my wee NAS drive from almost going into meltdown.

I’m fed up with the rain now. Turn off the taps please.

More mono stuff below for Inktober.

Today it was to be either Cramond or Mugdock Country Park. I chose Cramond. Arrived there in brilliant sunshine and that’s the way it stayed all day. The tide was out and we toyed with the idea of crossing to the island, but Scamp wasn’t too sure as the path was quite slippery. I took some photos of the ‘Toblerones’ and then we walked up the river almost to the road bridge. Beautiful colours all the way. Saw a heron sitting on its knees on a small falls. Because its knees bend backwards, it looks like its claws are playing a piano – you have to see it to understand. Click on the picture to be transported to the Flickr page for a better view. On the way back we stopped at the Falls cafe for coffee and a scone. Sat in the walled garden under an apple tree. Could have been in the Mediterranean!

Came home and had to water the plants. Who would have thought we’d have to do that at the very end of September!

Tried to go to Salsa at night, but traffic in Glasgow was at a standstill, so gave up and came home. Bummer.

Late getting up this morning. Mainly because I was equally late getting to bed last night. Hoping to be a bit more regulated tonight.

Went for a gym and swim at lunch time then undid all that good work with a fry up for lunch. I did an extra work-out later by cycling to get some photos and some more brambles. Got about 400g of the little black bundles. Managed some photos of the hay bales before they are gone for this year. Half of them have been moved to storage already.

Found a catty reply to one of my crits on Flickr. Some people only want to hear good things about their photos. Admittedly, I too like good comments, but am realistic enough to take criticism where it’s due. Some others though simply want praise and lots of it. That’s why there are so many of the post 1 comment 2, 4, 8, 16, … groups. I’ve never felt the need to get on Flickr’s revered list, but one way to make sure you get there is to get lots of comments and favourites and one sure way to get those accolades is to pay for them by praising others. That is why those post 1 comment ‘x’ sites proliferate. The worst offending ones even have sparkly, gaudy GIFs as badges. Please, spare me the indignity.

Finished a great book last night. The main reason for my late bed. Mr Penumbra’s 24 hour bookshop (I hope I spelled that correctly, Hazy) is an excellent book. Someone described it as “a mystery story without a murder.” A very gentle book with lots of hidden meanings. I think I wrote about it in a previous blog. Certainly worth a read.

Right, I’m done here and am off to bed. Early(ish) for once.

Went for lunch to Tea Jenny’s in Falkirk today. Scamp’s choice as the main (for ‘main’ read Only) wage earner.

Actually the day started much, much earlier. I got up at 2.30am to see the start of the lunar eclipse and prepare for the ‘Blood Moon’. As I peered blearily from the bedroom window, I could indeed see that the eclipse was in progress, but the moon didn’t seem all that much bigger than normal. I left it an hour for the eclipse to reach totality and when I went back to look, somebody had stolen the moon! It simply wasn’t there. An hour earlier it was shining in an almost cloudless sky. That’s what they get for having a blood moon, at night, in Cumbernauld. They should have known someone would nick it. Guaranteed, somebody will be selling it down the Barras at the weekend. “Here mate. Want tae buy a bit o’ the Blud Moon? Aye, mate, guaranteed genuine. Ma brother works wi’ NASA and he got it cheap. Only a fiver a slice. Three fur a tenner.”

Back to Tea Jenny’s and lunch was quite good. Burger was very filling and the tea cosies were a sight to behold as usual.

After that it was a pretty ordinary day. Felt a bit fidgety around 6.15pm when we should be getting ready for salsa which was not on as the STUC was closed today. One of the few places that closes now for September Weekend.

No, that’s not the Blood Moon on the left of the picture, that’s our ‘big’ apple from our apple tree. The first dessert apple it’s produced that you can actually eat. Previous years’ apples have been small and sour, so this is a step forward. On the right you can see the tea cosy on my pot of Kenyan tea in Tea Jenny’s.

No interrupted sleep tonight because the blood moon is gone until 2033 which is just after half past eight!

Saw these sparrows fighting for a place at the peanut feeder in the garden while I was making breakfast.  I suppose they were getting their breakfast too. Just another lazy Sunday for us.  Watched one more boring F1 GP, feeling sorry for Alonso and Button, stuck with the go-karts again.  Managed to get a soggy bottom on a Crouching Tiger Hidden Zebra cake.  More work needed before I can sign up for the Bake Off.  Went to Salsa at night and it was quite quiet for a change.  Probably to do with this being September weekend.  Still, it was a very nice day weatherise, but it’s clouding over now so we might not get to see the “Blood Moon” in the early hours of the morning.  Found out that I’d managed to pick up another sheep tick.  That’s three I’ve had.  Hope that’s the last one.

Some of you may have flown the ‘Red-eye’. Today we travelled the ‘Grey-Hair’. We went on the bus down to Ayr from Glasgow. After just missing the 10.25 from the bus station in Glasgow, we placed ourselves at the front of the seating area at the stance to ensure that we would get on the next bus. The stance was empty when we arrived, but they soon filtered in. All the Grey-Hairs in Glasgow were heading to Ayr today, it seemed. By the time the bus drove in, they had whipped themselves into a fury. Like zombies smelling fresh brains they were ready to do anything to get the best seats. Until you’ve seen a group of Grey-Hairs fighting for a seat on a bus, you’ve no idea what crowd dynamics is all about (the spellchecker just changed dynamics to dynamo. That probably works even better!). Anyway, our elbows had been sharpened and we held back the surge of Grey-Hairs and got on first.

It was a pleasant journey down the M77 to Ayr, mainly because of Bluetooth headphones, an iPhone and Dark Side of the Moon! When they were getting off the bus every Grey-Hair asked what time the bus left for Glasgow. The driver, with commendable patience, answered each one in turn without even cracking a smile. He must be used to it. The weather was typical September Weekend, except it wasn’t raining. Ayr used to be such a lovely wee town filled with families on the last weekend in September. Today if was full of beggars, closed shops and that general air of depression that is so typical of Scottish towns these days. There was an Ayr Renaissance shop, but it was shut. Says it all really. Had a sit down lunch in the Blue Lagoon chip shop and after wandering around all the usual shops, stopped for a drink at a Wetherspoon’s. Not a very adventurous day, but then Ayr never was adventurous.

There was more crowd dynamics on the way home when there was nearly a crowd break-in. It happened when it didn’t look as if the bus was going to pull forward to the proper stop. However, all was well because the drivers were just changing over and one of the Grey-Hairs behind us in the queue gave a running commentary on the situation for those who couldn’t see the action. Yes, everything was good.

That’s Ayr out of our system for a few weeks (months?) until we feel the need to face the Grey-Hairs again.

It’s 7.45 at St Mo’s and I’ve just startled a deer. Didn’t expect to see one to be honest and certainly not this early into a walk. The lovely sunrise got me out early and I’m glad it did. Oh well, no photos of any import yet, but we’ll see what turns up.
Just caught another glimpse of the deer but camera wasn’t switched on because the battery is low. It’s switched on now!
I’m glad I’m recording this because I just saw a fox running ahead of me, despite my clumsy footsteps. On the way home I stopped to watch two coots playing Chase-Me across the pond. I don’t suppose they were really playing, it was probably a really serious business, but it did give me the chance to grab a few interesting frames. A busy early morning walk then, but few decent photos to show for it. (Top three on the mosaic)

That was earlier. In the afternoon, Scamp wanted to go somewhere for a walk, so we took ourselves off the Kincardine for a walk along the Forth. Walked as far as the new Clacks bridge. I always think of Terry Pratchett when I hear the Clacks bridge mentioned. Sounds like his version of mobile phone masts. Took a few photos along the way, quite a few actually, well, just over 90. Mind you, these have been swiftly pared down to 42 which Hitchhikers amongst you will recognise as the “Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, The Universe, and Everything” in Douglas Adams’ book. Quite a literary blog post this is turning out to be. One more for the road then. This from Robin Sloan’s book Mr Penumbra’s 24-hour Bookstore: “Neel buys a round of drinks. I sip something called the Blue Screen of Death, which is in fact neon-blue, with a bright LED winking inside one of the ice cubes.” A brilliant book for the computer nerd, like me. By the way, the group are staying at the North-bridge hotel! Getit? Hazy will, JIC may not 😉
Ok, that’s it for the literary section, back to the normal blog stuff of painting, photography and moans.

I tried the monopod this morning but it didn’t make much difference with the Nikon. I forgot that you can’t use a tripod (or a monopod I suppose) with the vibration control on the Tamron. It actually increases shake rather than reducing it. 🙁 I did try turning the VC off and using the camera with the monopod then, but I still wasn’t impressed. Actually, I’m becoming more and more impressed with the Oly and m4/3 (micro four thirds) in general, and less with the Nikon. I know I’ll change my mind about the two systems, I always do.

A day that had started out with a beautiful sunrise ended with heavy clouds and just the hint or rain. On our walk along the Forth the wind was really quite cold but the sun was warm. When we were near the Clacks bridge there was a wall on the riverside which protected us from the wind and that’s when we felt the warmth of the sun. For the rest of the walk the wind was very cooling.  (Bottom three on the mosaic)

I realise it’s a bit difficult to see the detail in the pics today, but either click on the mosaic or go here.  All rights reserved and all photos copyright of D. Campbell (that’s me).

When I woke up at about 6.50 it was dull wet and dark. I dozed for 15 minutes or so and then the sun was up and the streets were drying, so I got dressed and walked over to St Mo’s. The clouds rolled in, the rain returned and there wasn’t enough light to get decent shots without resorting to really high ISO settings like ISO 25600! I got the shots, but the grain/noise was intrusive. It was either that or lug a heavy tripod with me through the trees. That wasn’t going to happen. Maybe I’ll take my monopod/walking pole with me next time. It’s not as stable as a tripod, but it’s not as heavy either. It might be worth a try. I’ll let you know.

I came home almost empty handed. Some shots with the 9mm lens were good. Nothing really good from the Nikon. Almost everything I’ve shot with the 9mm lens has been good for one reason or another. I’m still really surprised with the sharpness of the lens. However one of its big failing points is flare. Because the angle it covers is so large (140º) it is difficult to exclude the sun. Also, as there is no way to add a lens hood, flare artefacts find their way into any picture shot into the sun, or even near the sun. I’ve yet to find a way to avoid this. The other bugbear is Chromatic Aberrations. CAs are bright coloured fringes that appear in areas of high contrast. They appear as purple or green areas at the edge of a dark subject. Green at one side and purple at the other. Most wide and super-wide angle lenses, especially the cheaper variety suffer from CAs to a greater or lesser extent. Lightroom controls them really well and I’ve got an input filter set up especially to deal with them. It’s not a big problem, but it is a nuisance. When I was making my breakfast I noticed a robin sitting on the back fence. The rain had turned its tap off and the sun was back giving low directional light that lit up the robin beautifully. Quickly grabbed the Nikon and got three frames before the bird flew off. Well, that’s at least one in the bag. Later in the day the sun had moved round to the front and was lighting up the last remaining gladiolus with rain drops glistening on its flower. Another grab shot and that’s two in the bag. After that the light died away and the show was over for today.

Went swimming at the leisure centre and sat in the steam room and steamed today. No gym today, just an hour in the pool. Ok then, half an hour in the pool and half an hour split between the sauna and the steam room. Was still good.

Later I spent about two hours trying with little success to install a decent keyboard into my Android ‘bike phone’. Eventually found a way to install apps onto the SD card rather than the phone memory. Such a faff. You’d think Microsoft had invented Android not Google, although it never once said ‘not responding’, so I guess they couldn’t have.

Note to self:- Try out the monopod tomorrow.

If you find it difficult to see the detail in the pics today, either click on the mosaic or go here.  All rights reserved and all photos copyright of D. Campbell (that’s me).