howl bushcraft canoe trips
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Howl Bush Craft

Spend four fantastic days on Loch Awe in Scotland in the hand of the great team from Howl Bush craft. The relaxing location and the team made this a very enjoyable journey. The knowledge both leaders had about canoeing, camping, Scotland, craft, fire, wild food etc was unlimited.

You were always in safe hands, yet never felt like you were in bubble wrap or on a guided tour. You took part in the day to day decision, the cooking, fire making – you really made the experience yours.

There were so much to do and learn that I often forgot to take my normal amount of photos 🙂 Though I did managed to record some great soundscapes, do check out soundscapes@woollypigs (bring your headphones)

At Howl we specialise in journeying skills, the Bushcraft we practice and teach is that of the traveler. There is a wonderful simplicity that comes from taking a trip in the outdoors, a pragmatism gleaned from necessity. We draw from this experience in the field to teach a set of skills and knowledge based in expedience and realism, skills that actually get used while outdoors

Kilchurn Castle, Loch Awe
by photos@woollypigs

Kilchurn Castle, Loch Awe

The last day of my visit to Loch Awe was a washout. The strong tail wind and wobbly waves along with the heavy rain made it rather hard to take a snap of Kilchurn Castle from a canoe on the Loch.

Though even if this photo is not pin sharp, this panorama really shows off how dramatically the castle, the Loch and Scotland can be.

Kilchurn Castle (/kəlˈxʊərn/) is a ruined structure on a rocky peninsula at the northeastern end of Loch Awe, in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It was first constructed in the mid-15th century as the base of the Campbells of Glenorchy, who extended both the castle and their territory in the area over the next 150 years.

Loch awe early morning
by photos@woollypigs

Loch Awe

Woke up bright a early and just had to enjoy the peace and clam before the rest of the world, well the birds had beaten me, woke up.

If you fancy you can listen to the sound there, over on soundscapes@woollypigs

Loch Awe (Scottish Gaelic: Loch Obha) is a large body of mostly freshwater in Argyll and Bute, Scottish Highlands. It has also given its name to a village on its banks, variously known as Loch Awe or Lochawe. There are islands within the loch such as Innis Chonnell and Inishail.

holy island
by photos@woollypigs

Eilean MoLaise

More commonly known as the Holy island, just off the coast from Lamlash on Isle of Arran. I took this after midnight in the middle of Storm Brendan, which gave the island go old battering, while we visited. Even on a small but sturdy tripod, that I was holding firmly, the long exposure got some motion blur. But I think it works well on this image, where we can see the light (glow) from the mainland and even at night the sky is blue when lit up by the fool moon.

The island is around 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) long and around 1 kilometre (0.6 mi) wide. Its highest point is the hill Mullach Mòr.

Pladda Lighthouse
by photos@woollypigs

Pladda Lighthouse

Had a very windswept walk on Kildonan beach, got the cobwebs well and truly blown away. Could have spend many more hours walking here, will be back one day. As I can just stare at the waves for hours on end. On the way back the light and clouds changed and we got this rather cool looking light.

Pladda Lighthouse

In the background behind Pladda you can just make out Ailsa Craig, where you can find the blue hone granite that has long been quarried to make curling stones

The lighthouse tower is 95 feet (29 m) in height; there are 128 steps to the top. Under normal conditions, its light (3 white flashes every 30 seconds) is visible for 17 nautical miles (31 km; 20 mi)

weather front
by photos@woollypigs

Weather front

View from Lochranza on Isle of Arran, towards the Kintyre peninsula. This is the tail end of the shower that gave us a good “wash”. When the weather forecast says showers, do be prepared wrap up fast, as you will get a soaking double fast at random times. As you can see on the other photo, the shower had on higher grounds brought some snow with it.

Lochranza Distillery

Lochranza Distillery, jolly good wee dram. There used to be about fifty distilleries on the island, but most of them were “moonlight” or illegal distilleries, those where the days, eh 🙂

On fair Lochranza streamed the early day,
Thin wreaths of cottage smoke are upward curl’d
From the lone hamlet, which her inland bay
And circling mountains sever from the world ”
— Sir Walter Scott, The Lord of the Isle

Goatfell Isle of Arran
by photos@woollypigs

Goatfell

Had a few days on Isle of Arran. This snap was taken from the ferry as we left, the mountain had a wee dusting of snow doing the night.

Bonus shot of Goatfell, with added castle:

Brodick Castle and Goatfell

Goat Fell is the highest point on the Isle of Arran. At 874 metres (2,866 ft), it is one of four Corbetts on the island. The mountain, along with nearby Brodick Castle, is now owned by the National Trust for Scotland.

by photos@woollypigs

Tilley

We are coming up to 6 years with this mutt. And I’m sorry for being such a bad owner/companion, I mean I haven’t shared many photos of her here. Though, head over to instagram for more 🙂

Description”Man’s best friend” is a common phrase about domestic dogs, referring to their millennia-long history of close relations, loyalty, and companionship with humans. The first recorded use of a related phrase is by Frederick the Great of Prussia.

bracken
by photos@woollypigs

Bracken

I know they are often seen as a weed, but I do like the look of them and always reminds me of New Zealand.

Bracken (Pteridium) is a genus of large, coarse ferns in the family Dennstaedtiaceae. Ferns (Pteridophyta) are vascular plants that have alternating generations, large plants that produce spores and small plants that produce sex cells (eggs and sperm). Brackens are noted for their large, highly divided leaves.

money tree
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Money tree

Funny things these, never really heard about or seen these before. Now nearly every time we go to a bit of wood where there is a fallen tree, we find one.

One form of votive offering is the token offering of a coin. The remains of one such tree can be found near Ardmaddy House in Argyll, Scotland, a hawthorn, which is a species traditionally linked with fertility. The trunk and branches are covered with hundreds of coins which have been driven through the bark and into the wood. The local tradition is that a wish will be granted for each of the coins so treated. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wish_tree#Coin_trees

by photos@woollypigs

Lowther Castle

We “fell” over this castle on our last trip out and about. Didn’t even know about it until we drove past it, changed our plans and spend a morning walking the grounds and visited the great cafe, erm, yes there was cake.

There is a interesting story to this – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lowther_Castle

Lowther Castle is a country house in the historic county of Westmorland, which now forms part of the modern county of Cumbria, England. It has belonged to the Lowther family, latterly the Earls of Lonsdale, since the Middle Ages. It is a fully managed ruin, open to visits by the public to the shell of the castle and some of the gardens since 2011. Additional work was completed since that time, most recently on the extensive gardens.

archie the cat
by photos@woollypigs

Archie

This is our new pet, well he thinks so. Comes to our door about once a day, like he owns the place.

It’s out neighbours cat, whom our dog have utterly fallen for. When she hears his bell, she goes spare and demands to be let out into the garden to greet him. Archie isn’t much fuzzed about Tilley’s dancing and downward dog “I wanna play” stands. He tries to head bud her and rub up against her, but this she don’t understand what that means and then tries to do more downward dog playing. To which he “hit” her in a play like manner with his paws, which causes Tilley to walk backwards with her front paws up one at the time trying to pad him.

She even took one of her toys out to him to show/play with. Archie just gave it a light pad with his paws and wandered off to lay in another spot.

This friendship have taught our mutt that cats are great. Sadly not all cats have read that memo. So we still need to keep her on tight control, as she runs up to any cat in the neighbourhood.

A Russian legend explains the antipathy between dogs and cats by stating that the devil has tricked the dog and cat each into thinking the other has its rightful fur.

is it spring yet?
by photos@woollypigs

When is winter

I don’t see winter in Meteorological vs astronomical terms, I see it in how much snow we get. 

Meteorological: This corresponds to the months of December, January and February in the Northern Hemisphere

Astronomical:  The determines the seasons due to the 23.5 degree tilt of the Earth’s rotational axis in relation to its orbit around the sun. Also in the Northern Hemisphere, depending on the year, this corresponds to the period between 21 or 22 December and 19, 20 or 21 March.

And in 2013 we had over six feet of snow on the 22nd of March, which according to the above is spring. Where as in “winter” we had less snow, well a mere dusting.

But do head over to wiki and make your own mind up 🙂

winter dusting

The natural rotation of Earth around the sun forms the basis for the astronomical calendar, in which we define seasons with two solstices and two equinoxes

Huldra, Lady in the Forest
by photos@woollypigs

Huldra, the lady of the forest

We got a new guardian of our local woodland. she reminds me of the Huldra. “The female huldra is almost invariably described as being incredibly, seductively beautiful”, which is she clearly is.

A huldra is a dangerous seductive forest creature found in Scandinavian folklore. She is a member of a family of a very ancient beings that inhabit the forest, but remain hidden from humankind.

Camden Food Market
by photos@woollypigs

Camden Food Market

I like going to Camden Market and often end up in the food stalls area. Just walking up and down not knowing which meal to start with.

Camden Town is famed for its market, a warren of fashion and curiosities by the Regent’s Canal. A haven of counter culture, the area is popular with tourists, teenagers and punks. The thriving nightlife scene includes live music in alternative clubs and old-school pubs

vandal art?
by photos@woollypigs

Vandal art?

I enjoy looking at graffiti aka street art. Some works are utterly stunning. I know that some are done without the owners permission. Though often the art looks much better than a dull grey wall.

The Vandals were a large East Germanic tribe or group of tribes that first appear in history inhabiting present-day southern Poland. Some later moved in large numbers, including most notably the group which successively established kingdoms in the Iberian Peninsula and then North Africa in the 5th century

Charles de Gaulle Airport
by photos@woollypigs

Airport

Was just clinking through some old photos and found this snap of  Charles de Gaulle Airport.

Still surprises me, how good the images quality of the Sony DSC-F707 camera, which sadly has seen better days.

But also that pictures that you took some years ago and discarded, on second look might have something.

Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, also known as Roissy Airport, is the largest international airport in France and the second largest in Europe.

solitude
by photos@woollypigs

Solitude

Day Six: “Solitude”

The state of being alone, or a lonely and uninhabited place.

I need to find the correct quote. A French explore/sailor wrote a book, years ago, where one part he talked about being alone. He said that, he felt more alone on the Metro in the Paris rush hour. Compared to being on his boat alone in the middle of the ocean. 

This I can totally relate to. The more remote I am, the more I feel at peace, relaxed and funny enough feel like I’m with my friends. Like here walking all alone, ok Peli is with me, on the Farewell Spit on the South Island of NZ.

Photography: Developing Your Eye I

Today’s Tip: Pay attention to the placement of your subject. As you frame your shot, consider the Rule of Thirds, which is a great introductory lesson in composition. Divide your shot into thirds, both horizontally and vertically, so you get nine parts. Place your subject at the intersections of these lines (or along them) to create a dynamic, off-center composition.

Connected with train
by photos@woollypigs

Connected

Day Five: “Connect”

In this age of social media, we hear the word connect often, don’t we?

The “old” fashioned way to connect with each other, IRL aka In Real Live. Take a train, ride your bike or heck even walk over to your friends and family and then have a cuppa and a natter.

Photography: Developing Your Eye I

Today’s Tip: Add relevant tags to your post, like “photography.” The image above could also be tagged with “bridge” and “San Francisco.” Tags group your related posts together, help to organize your site content, and tell readers what a post is about. Tags also make it easier for others to find your latest posts in the Reader.

waves
by photos@woollypigs

Bliss

Day Four: “Bliss”

Bliss (noun): complete happiness, great joy, paradise, or heaven.

I don’t need to get wet or lay and collect the rays. The best way for me to enjoy a beach, is just to sit and look and listen to the waves, that is one of my Zen places. 

Photography: Developing Your Eye I

A Japanese school of Mahayana Buddhism emphasizing the value of meditation and intuition rather than ritual worship or study of scriptures.

water tower
by photos@woollypigs

Water

Day Three: “Water” — Image Orientation

A few days late with this one, sorry chaps. Was a bit busy with life and also split on what do do with this challenge.

I started to click through my old photos for ideas and found this one of a water tower in Portland, OR. So thinking out of the box and not following Today’s tip, oops.

Photography: Developing Your Eye I


 

Today’s Tip: Ever wonder whether a photograph will work better horizontally or vertically? After you snap your picture, rotate your camera and take a shot from the other orientation — horizontally if you first took the picture vertically, and vice versa. Which way works better?

corncrake cottage
by photos@woollypigs

Corncrake cottage

If you should find yourself lost on Isle of Lewis or want to. You can’t do wrong with staying at Corncrake Holiday Cottage. We spend a brilliant week there few months back. Beach, walks, chill, views and nearly totally of the beaten track and stunning sunsets.

http://www.corncrake-holidaycottage.co.uk/

The corn crake, corncrake or landrail is a bird in the rail family. It breeds in Europe and Asia as far east as western China, and migrates to Africa for the northern hemisphere’s winter.

Callanish Standing Stones
by photos@woollypigs

Loitering stones

Visited the Callanish Standing Stones on Isle of Lewis, fantastic spot. Amazing that they have been left to loiter about for so many years. Still makes me wonder why someone figured that this is a grand place to put some stone in a pattern and probably dance around them naked too. Back then it was not easy to sit around and enjoy the views as the island was covered in forest.

I totally forgot about this: We were sitting at the nearby cafe and overheard some Americans walking down from the stone circle.

Person A: So, what was your impression of the stones?
Person B: Hmm, a bit like cilantro, take or leave it …

The Callanish Stones are an arrangement of standing stones placed in a cruciform pattern with a central stone circle. They were erected in the late Neolithic era, and were a focus for ritual activity during the Bronze Age.

street
by photos@woollypigs

Boot cleaner

Day two : “Street” : Wander your neighbourhood – or someplace new – to capture your street snapshot.

This is a hole often next to the main entrance to Victorian house. The owner of this house have come up with a nice way to use the old boot scraper.

Photography: Developing Your Eye I


Today’s Tip: While you’re free to take a picture from any angle, try to capture an establishing shot: a wide-angle photo that sets up a scene. You may need to back up a few steps, or climb some stairs to higher ground to fit the whole scene in one shot.

lac det mail
by photos@woollypigs

Home away from home

This is our home away from home, our tent. Totally bliss and calm when out camping. This location is in the Neouvielle Lakes in the Pyrenees. 

Taking part in Photography: Developing Your Eye I is a 10-day photo challenge for bloggers of all photography levels, from beginning photobloggers to pro photographers over on wordpress.org. This is Day One: “Home” — Get Oriented, e.g. learning your camera so that you feel at home with it.

That prompted me to post a photo of a place I feel very much at home, no matter where I’m pitched, my tent.

Prompt: When you think of home, what do you imagine? You might picture a house from your past, your favorite neighborhood hangout, or a city you miss. And while home is often found on a map, it can also be less tangible: a loved one, a state of mind, a forgotten time.

silhouette sunset
by photos@woollypigs

Silhouette sunset

In ’09 we climbed up to 2400m and camped for a night where we enjoyed the sunset. Later that evening we enjoyed the stars and the milky way which was very clear. And pretty much bright enough walk around. Along with the clear sky I saw in ’90 when I was travelling around the islands of Greece it was the best star gazing I have done.

The Pyrenees mountain range separates the Iberian Peninsula from the rest of Europe, stretching more than 430km between Spain and France and rising higher than 3,400m in elevation.

nose and paws
by photos@woollypigs

Gotcha

Today is the 5th gotcha day for our rescue dog Tilley. 

She has become a little bit naughty lately. A bit like a miss behaving child over at the grandparents. At home she will ask for a carrot, her evening snack, sit bum to the ground and would never take an empty crips bag from the coffee table. 

But over MiL, she will just dip her bum when asked to sit. Even taken crips out of the bags of the table. Sneak out into the kitchen and nick a carrot without asking.

Can we get angry with her when she is naughty … nope 🙂

Dogs Trust, formerly known as the National Canine Defence League, is an animal welfare charity and humane society in the United Kingdom which specialises in the well-being of dogs.