Herb Riddle's photos

Achmelvich, one of the most beautiful sandy bays in Great Britain also has another side to it. This is the view southeast towards Lochinver and the mountains near Ullapool some distance away. Notice the snow still on their northern flanks. An area of majestic peaks, seabirds and otters here - enough to take your breath away. Enjoy full size.

Here by the lovely bay of Achmelvich in Scotland, one can relax and ponder the views. This is a sparsely populated part of the world with just a small settlement or cottage here and there. In fact during summer, far more holidaymakers are here seeking peace than locals. See PiP for beach shot Enjoy full screen and have a good week.

This is one of their latest Class 802 Series trains. Built in Italy by Hitachi and brought into service here in Britain in 2018. These travel from Manchester to Huddersfield, Leeds and York and are known as Diesel-electric bi-mode multiple (five-car) unit trains. They run by electric where possible but as seen here can run by their own diesel power too. This taken near the long 5456 yard Stanedge tunnel portal at Diggle to Marsden in Yorkshire. Enjoy large.

Yesterday I posted two views of this bird which raised the question as to what breed it was. One or two of you asked in which way were the tail feathers pointing? Up for a wren, down for a Robin. I think this answers the question.

A mural over-washed with reflections from the canal waters below, in this canal tunnel at the village of Diggle near my home. The canal being the 'Huddersfield Narrow'. Enjoy full size

Seen on a fence whilst on my local walks. Not sure if it is a young sparrow, or wren. I am pretty sure it was waiting here for its parents to bring it back some food. See PiP for alternative view. Enjoy full size. Have a great weekend. Herb

Alexandra Park Oldham in June. The circus comes to town for a week of performances. This, for me is simply a chance sighting and I saw nothing of the artist or visitors in these days where Covid still dictates our days out. Fortunately though I saw a father buying tickets for his eager children from the box-office. Enjoy full screen.

Capel Lligwy is a ruined chapel near Rhos Lligwy in Anglesey, north Wales, dating back to the first half of the 12th century. The chapel's original purpose is unknown, but it might have been used as a memorial chapel or in connection with a local royal court, or as a chapel of ease in a large parish with a growing population. It was used for a time until the early 18th century as a private place of worship for a nearby house, then later fell into disrepair. The walls still remain, with some traces of render on them internally, but there is no roof. It contains a 16th-century side chapel with a vault beneath, used as a burial chamber. It is a Grade II listed building Enjoy full screen.

Seen almost at the end of our round coastal walk near Moelfre in North Anglesey. There was in fact an ancient settlement near here too. See PiP. Lligwy, dating from late Neolithic (New Stone Age) times, would have originally been covered by an earthen mound. When the tomb was excavated in 1908, the bones of men, women and children were found along with animal bones, shells, flint implements, pottery and a bone pin. It has a squashed look about it, as if its supporting stones are being slowly forced into the ground by its massive capstone. That’s not the case, even though this large tomb is roofed by a formidable stone 18ft/5.5m long by 15ft/4.6m wide weighing an estimated 25 tons, one of the biggest in Britain. The PiP shows one of the dwellings from the Din Lligwy (settlement) that was a lightly fortified settlement, dating from the 3rd-4th century AD, probably inhabited by the Romano-British tribe. Despite the finds mainly from the Roman period, the beginnings of settlement in this area could go back to the Iron Age.

As the sun starts to dip and all is going quiet , it is time for the night creatures to come out and feed. Shortly this rabbit was to be joined by its friends and family, about 5-6 in total. This seen from just next to our temporary holiday home here in Anglesey Enjoy full size. Have a great weekend. Herb

A view of the Moelfre Lifeboat Station that has a remarkable history of bravery with its lifeboat crews being awarded 37 medals for gallantry. Two of the Gold Medals were awarded to the outstanding figure in the station's history - Coxswain Richard (Dic) Evans - see adjacent photo of his memorial statue by the artist Sam Holland. Sighted just around the corner of this station. Thanks to Toz, and his research. He has a fine photo on here too: www.ipernity.com/doc/2405228/50819006 Enjoy full screen.

This bronze statue of lifeboat hero Richard Evans (1905-2001) was created by sculptor Sam Holland and unveiled by Prince Charles on 23 November 2004. Few lifeboat volunteers are awarded the RNLI’s gold medal for bravery, but he was awarded two. He received a gold medal in 1959 for his part in the rescue of all eight crew from the stricken freighter Hindlea in hurricane-force winds gusting to 104mph. Waves rolled the lifeboat onto its side, putting the mast beneath the water while the ship’s propeller whirled dangerously above the heads of the crew. Despite these difficulties, Dic brought the lifeboat alongside the wreck 10 times to complete the rescue. In 1961 the Queen presented Silver Sea gallantry medals to the crew for this rescue. Dic was 61 years old when he received his second gold medal for his part in the rescue of the crew of the Greek ship Nafsiporos which was in danger of being wrecked on the Skerries, north of Holyhead. His own son David and Holyhead lifeboat were also involved in the rescue. In 1969, the year before he retired, Dic received the British Empire Medal. He died on 13 September 2001. (https://historypoints.org/)

A view eastwards towards the Welsh mainland over this small flat Island near the village of Moelfre. The distant headland is in fact the Great Orme of Llandudno. See adjacent photo for alternative view. Enjoy full screen.

A view eastwards towards the Welsh mainland over this small flat Island near the village of Moelfre. The distant headland is in fact the Great Orme of Llandudno. See adjacent photo for alternative view. Enjoy full screen.

Having passed the little rock beach (seen here to the left) we march onwards towards the village of Moelfre but before we get there I spy these sat here drawing the scenery. Each had paper, pens and pencils and where so intent on their work they hardly noticed me. You can also see our coastal path centre right, full of other intrepid walkers. The crowded beach and bay was just beyond the last outcrop seen here in the distance. PiP's Enjoy full screen.

Just west of the coastal village of Moelfre is a pretty strange beach. It is strewed with pebbles and rocks. Over time visitors have built many small rock towers, this photo showing only a small portion of it. At first we thought it might be in memory of something that happened here but no, I cannot find any references to that. It was in fact a bit difficult even to find the path onto this beach. The first PiP shows a close-up and the second PiP shows a small distant island with a tower that could also be seen from here. (Ynys Dulas) Enjoy full screen.

Another view from ‘Jenny Brown’s Point’ near Silverdale showing the magic attraction of those moving sands. A place where waders come to feed and people come to admire but these sands are not safe to walk over as the PiP example shows. Carnforth lies in the distance Enjoy full screen.

A day out at the North West area of Siverdale gives us sights like this. We are walking south following the sandy Morcambe Bay and are at this moment at 'Jack Scout' looking towards the same coast over Warton Sands to the town of Carnforth. Here like much of this bay, the sands are treacherous with fast rising tides and areas of quicksand. A great place for wildlife though and some interesting trees. Enjoy full screen.