Herb Riddle's photos

As we climb steadily up from sea level, behind the coastal town of Barmouth, the land eventually levels out with paths and lanes almost on the level before a possible further climb for those fit enough. Of course as it is Wales, sheep abound and they are kept in place by borders of dry-stone walls. HWW, have a great day.

Over the last few weeks I have shown you some of my captures from our latest short trip to Wales. Here is the constant view we had from our front window whist we were there. I have no idea what the hill is called (if anything) but just behind that is the sea. Enjoy full screen.

Join me on our regular Greenfield round, halting here for a moment to take in this splendid view over the area known as Friezland up to Lydgate. The stretch we are currently walking is along the very old railway line, now a linear park towards the large villages of Greenfield and Uppermill. We will return after around another 7km, a little way beyond those cottages along the canal. Enjoy full screen. Have a great day

We are high above Barmouth here looking north west down this Mawdach tidal river estuary towards Dolgellau. We also see some of the heights of the southern Snowdonia mountain range besides Cardair Idris itself. Enjoy full screen.

A drawbridge and stout wooden doors guard the entrance through these arches to the Ibiza Town inner walled sanctuary. Beyond here lie the narrow shadowed streets and dwellings of this area which climbs up eventually to the cathedral. On the way there we pass many more narrow lanes and alleys which leads us onto the town walls and to the castle and large bastion. See PiP for proximity Enjoy full screen

A high view down onto the River Dovey (Aberdyfi -Aberdovey) and Cardigan Bay. The coastal village in the distance is Borth and then Aberystwyth yet further. Enjoy the weekend.

I have not seen such a ‘Hotel’ boat on our canals before and so this was quite a surprise. Seen on my local stretch of the Huddersfield Narrow Canal at Uppermill, on its way towards the long ‘Standedge’ canal tunnel in the village of Diggle (just the next village up). These locks are quit narrow and it was in the next lock up that we once saw a canal boat ‘high & dry’ and being rescued by a big crane in 2014. See last photo or PiP Enjoy full screen.

A catastrophe on our Hudderfield Narrow Canal at Uppermill.. This narrow boat had not gone forward enough before letting out all the water in the lock and so the stern (back-end) was left sat on the narrow 'sill' as the front went down with the water level. A very near thing for the boat itself as water could have got into the front here. Some minutes after taking this a 'crane' arrived to lift the boat up/out . The date: Oct 5, 2014

As I pass an old series of farm buildings, all long derelict, this old doorway takes my fancy. Built to last, and last it did, it must have seemed quite normal to see this view every day. The seaside village of Aberdyfi is just below out of sight to the left but we see some of the miles of sandy beach with a large caravan site too. HWW, have a great day.

Well if it is, it is one only for ants perhaps :) A long walk along the big beach and dunes at Aberdyfi in Wales brought this to my attention. I guess children and animals got here before me. Enjoy full screen.

A view down the valley of four reservoirs to the village of Marsden. The water below us is the end of Butterley Reservoir. Just a few feet behind me is Blakeley Reservoir. Yes, we actually sat and rested on this bench. Enjoy full screen. Have a great day.

Sometimes it is nice to be reminded of different places and experiences. Its May 2016 and I am back here on the outskirts of the city of Banff, Alberta, Canada, standing on the bank of this magnificent river. You can see deep into the clear water and smell the scent of pine. Not far from where I am standing, high on a hill overlooking the river is the famous ‘Fairmont Banff Springs’ chateau hotel with the Bow Falls just some short distance behind me. See PiP Enjoy full screen.

We are here today at the terminus of the line at Nant Gwenol near Abergynolwyn, Wales. We have climbed a somewhat narrow torturous path to get here, albeit in a most beautiful wooded valley awash with a wonderful river full of waterfalls. In the last few moments the heavens have opened up and now we have heavy rain showers as we see the train arrive and then depart. This is another narrow 2ft 3”gauge Welsh railway line running 7.25 (12km) miles from the seaside resort of Tywyn through the picturesque Fathew Valley to this point. The round trip takes 2.5 hours. The railway was original built to furnish the nearby slate quarries around 1840-1864 but in 1866 it also took passengers and freight. It has six steam locomotives and four diesels. We see here ‘Douglas’, built in 1918. From 1921 until 1945 it worked at the RAF railway at Calshot Spit, Southampton. Enjoy full screen. More info: www.talyllyn.co.uk

Here in the seaside village of Aberdyfi, boats have traditionally paid a big part of life. This pier looks to have been built for rather larger vessels rather than the odd canoe and small yachts I see in the water just below. Aberdyfi (Aberdovey) does however still have its own fleet of fishing boats that I am sure must use this sometimes. Enjoy the weekend.

Seen in Ibiza old town. I am not sure if this gentleman is making a delivery or involved in a service but I am happy that I waited for him to be in the right position. Enjoy full screen.

We are on the dam wall here looking south east towards the next reservoir up, of which you can just see the green dam wall, called Wassenden Head reservoir. Behind me, some three miles is the large village of Marsden. Enjoy full screen.

Well not quite, we see here some young trainees getting lessons in canoeing. We are at the rather pleasant Welsh resort of Aberdyfi and just getting ready to do the high panoramic walk. The weather was to improve. The PiP shows a view from up high on that walk overlooking the Aberdyfi estuary Enjoy full screen

Another view of this viaduct but from the town of Barmouth itself this time. A few seats have been put here so that people can watch the trains and drink in the panoramic views form this point. A few moments after taken this, one of the many Welsh Express DMU trains sped along here. Notice ongoing work on the swing bridge that has been non-functioning for some years. The viaduct itself is a very nice path and cycleway too. See adjacent photo for close-up and train. Enjoy full screen. Have a great day.