Herb Riddle's photos

A last look at this desolate Loch as we make our way back to our cottage.. This will look quite different at the end of August with the purple heather. Just today, I have heard on our news about Golden Eagles in this area.

Part of my 2014 collection. Taken from on-board the P&O Aurora crossing from Asia to Africa. I waited for some time hoping that the light would still be on the sea horizon for this boat to enter it. The late day sky with this dark sea combined in the end to make this. Enjoy large

looking towards the city centre, this also shows the Tugu Megara national monument. The National Monument is a sculpture that commemorates those who died in Malaysia's struggle for freedom, principally against the Japanese occupation during World War II and the Malayan Emergency, which lasted from 1948 until 1960 PiP

This is the Temple Tamoul de Bois Rouge. Taken on part of our 2014 Asian exploration.

Having seen this for almost a week from our rented cottage, we get to see it at close quarters at last. Balmoral Castle has been the Scottish home of the Royal Family since it was purchased for Queen Victoria by Prince Albert in 1852, having been first leased in 1848. In the autumn of 1842, two and a half years after her marriage to Prince Albert, Queen Victoria paid her first visit to Scotland. They were so struck with the Highlands that they resolved to return. A further visit to Perthshire and then Ardverikie encouraged them to seize the opportunity to purchase Balmoral. After searching enquiries they bought the estate on the 17th February 1848 and on 8th September 1848 they arrived to take possession of a property they had never seen, but to which they had committed themselves for many years to come. They were not disappointed and when they returned South they opened negotiations for the purchase of the land on which Balmoral stood. These protracted negotiations were completed on 22nd June 1852. Prince Albert decided to build a new Castle as the current one was considered not large enough for the Royal Family. A new site was chosen, 100 yards to the North West of the building, so that they could continue to occupy the old house while the new Castle was under construction. The foundation stone for Balmoral Castle was laid by Queen Victoria on 28th September 1853 and can be found at the foot of the wall adjacent to the West face of the entrance porch. Before the foundation stone was placed in position Queen Victoria signed a parchment recording the date. This parchment, together with an example of each of the current coins of the realm, was then placed in a bottle, inserted into a cavity below the site prepared for the stone. The Castle was completed in 1856 and the old building was then demolished. More Info Best full size. See PiP

Balmoral -as the other half lives! One of these big windows belongs to the Queens bedroom. The garden was being prepared, as always to look at it's best for August when the family takes residence here.

Taken in the beautiful Royal Palace Park in the city of Kandy during our trip to this part of the World in 2014. Whilst here we witnessed a wedding celebration and saw many giant tree bats and monkeys. Kandy is famed for sacred Buddhist sites, including the Temple of the Tooth (Sri Dalada Maligawa) shrine which we also visited.

Anther Island here in the Andaman Sea some 30 km off the mainland coast of northwestern Malaysia. The islands are a part of the state of Kedah, which is adjacent to the Thai border. Just a whistle-stop here for us but with beach scenes like this, altogether too little time sent here for us. This is actually near Star Cruises jetty on the southwest corner of the island beside Awana Poroto Malai Resort. Nice full size!

Mauritius, an Indian Ocean island nation has many appealing aspects which include beautiful golden beaches and wonderful countryside as well as incredible mountains. A nostalgic photo here from a catamaran trip along the coast taken in 2014. The mountain with the high rock is Rempart Mountain (I think).

A fine footbridge over the river Muick completes the circular path around the Loch here. Until recently, this crossing had been washed away. I read that a temporary bridge was to be built and I am not sure if this is it or not. Notwithstanding it was a fine sturdy thing and it is my pleasure to present it here as a fenced bridge. I wish you all, a great weekend, Herb Picked as this weeks HFF group Banner. See PiP

Another look at the edge of the Loch and here we can see the side of the back of the boathouse and also the meditating monks. This view is looking back to the Spittal of Loch Muick.

A walk along the near shores of this fine uplands loch brings us to the old boat-house. To my surprise this is the scene that greeted me. A quite word later, I found out that he and some friends were just stopping around there for a night or so to feel 'At One with Nature'.

As we walk over the brow of the 'Spittal of Loch Muick' we are greeted by this scene. We were to walk on to the waters edge and then to the right bank before returning here some time later. Notice the 'wild campers' in the blue tent by the river. A must in full screen

After a walk from the car park along Glen Muick we reach our destination of the upland, freshwater loch itself. A brooding body of water in this light surrounded by high hills and Scottish Munros. A beautiful path encircles the Loch's 3.2km length. Sadly after already walking around Loch Kinord, our energy levels were almost spent, as was the late afternoon light here. On the very far distance of these shores, sits a house built in 1868 by Queen Victoria, who called it Glassalt, to be what she called her "widow's house" where she could escape from the world following the death of her husband Albert. It is now a category B listed building owned personally by Elizabeth II. Adam Watson considers that "Glas-allt-Shiel is undoubtedly one of the most spectacular situations of any lodge in the Highlands.". - Sadly a view we had to forego.

High in the Balmoral estate here, and we have our back to the almost bleak Loch Muik. This is actually called the 'Spittal of Loch Muick'. Just further to our left is the River Muick. Just beyond our eyesight here a herd of wild deer are grazing (see PiP). Not a spot to go running about in without some care. Enjoy full screen.

The walk up to Start Point Lighthouse is one of the best coastal walks in South Devon, along the South West Coast Path. The dramatic cliffs and stunning coastal landscape is breath-taking. Just below here, we saw seals playing. I wish you all, a great weekend, Herb

A tranquil Loch here, providing a great walk. It is approximately 1 mile in length and was formed from a glacial kettle hole. Of course our round walk was more like 3-4 miles. We saw fish a-jumping as well as grazing deer here. Enjoy full size.

A rather colourful view of this building. One of a few coloured in the same way here near the Linn of Dee. We are not far from Muir cottage and the river Dee itself flows just behind here. Please forgive my indulgence with my art set :) Deserves full screen eye treatment :)