Herb Riddle's photos

A pond that I have photographed a few times before, usually with the ducks and geese appearing in search of a feed. Alongside side us here the path leads us up to a nice pair of reservoirs in the far distance. It does get very boggy in this season though but the warm November morning sun makes this an attractive scene for me. Have a great week.

A very rare event nowadays to witness a canal barge travelling through this long and somewhat daunting tunnel. It is only open 2-3 days per week and one has to pre-book and have a special pilot on board to help navigate it. The pilot here is the man on the right hand side. Before entry, all high objects such as chimney, aerials etc have to be removed. In the old days of horse pulled barges, the craft had to be ‘legged’ by people lying on their backs, on the roof of the craft and then pushing along with leg power using the tunnel roof and sides. As can be seen there is very little clearance between the barge and stone walls/roof. On some special days, an electric pleasure barge takes visitors through here. A trip that I remember well, some years back now, passing through much dripping water and low rocks at some places.. The tunnel opened in 1811. It is the the longest at 4984m – (just over 3 miles) as well as the highest, and deepest canal tunnel in the United Kingdom. Having been closed to all traffic in 1943, the canal tunnel was re-opened in May 2001. NB the blue plaque says: "Thomas Telford 1757-1834, whose skills ensured the completion of the Diggle Flight and the Standedge Tunnel"…. Thomas Telford, of course was one of Britain’s most famous civil engineers and the ‘Flight’ mentioned here refers to the numerous flights of canal locks. Enjoy full screen.

Seen in Glasson Dock on the Lancashire coast. There must be a story regarding this but what, I have no idea. Well I was hoping somebody might have an answer, and our friend Toz (below) has researched the story (or at least part of it) for us.: www.geograph.org.uk/photo/3911601 Its the the fishing boat 'Kiboko' sunk in 2014. Thanks Toz Enjoy the weekend.

Sheep can be so curious. Seen on our round walk from Glasson Dock. Have a great weekend. Herb

Just before getting to the seat looking out to Plover scar lighthouse we see this sign. Puts us in a dilemma really! Nice full screen.

Another chance here to see the exact same rainbow as I posted with a fence just a few days back. (see PiP) This time we see it with a wall instead of the wooden gated fence and unlike the other, this shows both ends too. Another two-photo stitch with unfortunately the left side being not as sharp as the right but I hope you will forgive me for posting it in despite of that. Again a few rain drops highlighted as noise near the bow itself from the bright light behind me. Enjoy full screen. Happy Wednesday Wall

We saw Hornby castle not far from here as we now follow this nice stretch of water westwards. We are looking north east towards the hills of the Yorkshire Dales in this very British countryside. Lots of thistle about here and with them comes the humble bumble bee. See PiPs. Nice full screen. Keep safe. Herb

Taken alongside the river, on my next photo here.

We are here on the very windy Lancaster coast near the estuary of the River Lune. The view here is actually across the Irish Sea and the star attraction is this old 1847 lighthouse – ‘Plover Scar’ that protects the southern entrance of the river. It is just there that a small dockyard is situated – Glasson Docks. This used to be a place where sea-going ships unloaded their cargoes into canal-barges heading for inland mills and factories up the Lancaster Canal. See Pips and adjacent photo for closer look at this lighthouse and Glasson Dock itself. Enjoy full screen. HBM, have a good week.

Plover Scar guiding ships to the southern entrance of the river Lune. Established in 1847. The ship is the Isle of Man Ferry from Heysham to Douglas.

After a visit to Ardvreck Castle we decide to take a walk in an area called Little Assnt, located just a few km north of the castle. A wonderful stroll past beautiful lochans full of small islands that looked inviting even in our worsening weather. This is relatively small at only 2km at its maximum length and 4 metres deep. As I was taking this the rains had begun to fall so protecting my lens was also a priority. I think you may agree though, it was well worth getting the camera out of the bag. Enjoy full size.

Standing on a small rocky promontory jutting out into Loch Assynt. We were to see this again in stunning weather but from a different viewpoint on our journey back home. Ardvreck is famous as the place where the royalist James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose was handed over in 1650 to the Covenanter forces by MacLeod, Laird of Assynt after the Battle of Carbisdale. Clan Mackenzie attacked and captured Ardvreck Castle in 1672, and then took control of the Assynt lands. The castle was a simple rectangular keep with a round staircase tower at the south-east angle. It was corbelled out on the upper floors to form square rooms. The small stair turret to these upper rooms being carried on corbelling. There were three compartments on the ground floor which were all vaulted. There appears to have been four floors and the first of these is also vaulted with the other floors being simply joisted. The castle also had several gunports. The mountain on the side is a Scottish Corbett named Gas Bheinn at 766m (2545ft). Enjoy full size.

A recent 'breath of fresh air' walk took us to a local set of reservoirs in the search for new autumn tree colours. However we were not in luck for such light on the trees. At almost the highest point a look to our right showed us the makings of a beautiful rainbow with the blackest sky imaginable. Whilst hiding from the coming onslaught of rain behind a wall, I ran off a few quick snaps being careful not to get my lens wet. Here is the result of two of the photos melded for this panoramic capture. Notice here what I had at first thought of, as a very dirty photo of noise/dirt spots on the lens or sensor but ‘no’ the lens was clean and dry, as was my sensor. So what are those white spots and streaks over the colours of the bow itself? In fact, it seems that the bright sun to my back as I took these into the black skies, lit up the fast rain droplets and that is that what we are seeing. Strangely, moments after taking these, the rainbow, rain and dark skies reverted to beautiful blue skies again (until we reached the golden trees then it went dull - of course.) Enjoy full size. Have a great weekend. Herb

Another day, another place here in Assynt north west Scotland. This is in fact quite a popular view with the little peninsular having these interesting trees that look good in all lighting. Obviously a spot from where a local fisherman keeps his row boat too. We were to see a more famous view not far from here too. As can also be seen, not the best of weather days today, we were to be soon made quite wet. Enjoy full size.

As this very old tree bids a farewell wave to the heavens we cannot but ponder what kind of life it has had and what it may have seen here. Taken not far from the waters edge at Clachtoll it certainly makes for a spectacular study. Enjoy full screen on black.

Another view across Clachtoll with Canisp and Suilven ever present. Enjoy full screen

The poles on the right here were used t dry the nets.

After a great day touring and exploring this area of Assnt it’s time for a wee rest and bite to eat. Here we see our ever present magical mountains Canisp to the left and Suilven on the right. Suilven looks in fact to be just in front of an equally impressive third mountain, but no – it is the same mountain that is quite long with a ridge walk between the two peaked ends. As said elsewhere here, a view that we would see again and again. Looks like the weather was about to close in, as is so typical in this part of the world. Enjoy full screen and have a good week.