Looking through the trees toward what was, my first home on Skye, a youth hostel. I landed in stormy weather, choppier and much wetter than this photo with wind that nearly blew me over. If I think back to those days, I can still remember the excitement and novelty of everything, trees but not the same trees, different food (I learned to love tea during this time which was just as well), Hobnobs (still love those), the smell of the gas fire, the damp cold that seemed to penetrate to the bone, but mostly, the most beautiful, astounding place I had ever seen.
(Armadale, Isle of Skye)
Before the epic bridge, long before Caledonian MacBrayne and their modern ferries there was this small ferry crossing from Kyle of Lochalsh on the mainland (meaning ‘strait of the foaming loch’ in Gaelic) to Kyleakin Skye. Look at the wicker traveling hampers on the dock and the gleaming car - what an adventure it must have been.
(Photo source: Elgol and Torrin Historical Society)
bluepueblo:
Camper Van, Somerset, England
photo via anna
One glance at this photo and the images in my head are multiplying, one on top of the other of the south coast of England, the smell of the sea, a cup of tea on the dash and music for the open road….
xorunaways:
Our idea of a romantic evening. Reindeer fur blankets, -27ºC night, aurora borealis and a nice loose leaf earl grey to keep us warm.
From the intrepid adventurers, Nathan and Abbey - it would be hard to find anything to top this.
“Every year it’s the same, they trudge off the ferry with all they own on their back, ready for their singular adventure. The gap year, we never had such a thing when I was younger. We worked. There were no gaps, just a day at the weekend before it started again. Off that ferry they come to ‘do’ Scotland, their eyes so full of tartan and heather, they can’t see straight. If you ask me, for all their supposed adventurous spirit, they’re like sheep. They just can’t see the flock for themselves.”
~ Morag Mathieson
(Ferry, Oban,I think, circa, 70’s)
alexandermichaelcrow:
Sunrise and Sunset in Scotland.
The sun is rising in the top photo, behind Sgurr Coire Choinnichean on Knoydart. It is setting behind southern Skye, for Stephanie.
These photos were taken on my phone, before I bought my current camera, in early May, 2008. I have over fourteen thousand photos on my flickr account, mostly of wilderness adventures. Plenty more to come…
My sun rises looking toward Mt. Washington, is sparkling off the blazing white top of Grouse Mountain, and shining on the jeweled dew on the grass in my garden, but all of that is pallid compared to the sun’s journey each day on beautiful Skye. Alex, one day you and I will share a strupak and talk of this and other adventures.
This is Tanah Lot in Bali, a place I’ve never been. I’m sure I don’t need to tell you what the attractions of that location are, nor the books I’d read stretched out looking over the tidal race.
I looked for an image to inspire, an image to pull me in - an unforgettable place. What’s so facinating is the hugely subjective nature of what is unforgettable. Some posted bustling cities, cars and buildings and urban sprawl, for others it was the drama and beauty of the countryside. For me the litmus test is simple: if I feel drawn into the photo, it’s a place for me. I can see myself with a cool drink on a lounger, writing, reading, chatting without a phone or computer in sight - what about you?
I’ve woken up these last few mornings feeling like I’ve been on Skye during the night. Some say it’s possible to astral travel, to go wherever you want when you sleep. I’d opt for a conscious journey, even time travel would do. I’d spirit myself away to a beach on the gorgeous west coast of Scotland, sand between my toes and me, gazing out on the blue green water. Whether your journey be astral, through time or in real time experience - just go, you won’t be sorry you did.
A little Scotland is good for the soul. Join me on the beautiful west coast, the land of sun and rain and wind and snow - all in the same day. Travel the lacy peninsulas to the islands and take a ferry to heaven itself. The air is fresh, the light is sublime and you won’t ever want to leave.
(For photo credit click here.)
