What I did on my holidays 2011 day 1 Leeds.

On Monday I took my Mum into respite for a week and although I felt guilty leaving her I was determined to make the most of my week.

As I arrived in Wetherby  a bus to Leeds was in although I saw its was the one that went “around the houses” to get there. Undeterred I got on the Bus and settled back relaxing to listen to my Audio book. Although the journey was enjoyable my choice of bus turned out to be a mistake as be made clear later. So now for a wander about lunch and a look see.

A was told years ago when I was a kid that if a virgin walked past these lions they would roar. I have never heard them!

Outside the Art Gallery people playing on the giant chess boards. (wanted to say playing in the Sunshine but the day was dry at least)

The main reason for my visit this time was to look at the Damian Hirst exhibition at the Art Gallery it is part of the “Artist Rooms” exhibitions that are doing the rounds at the moment. I have never been sure about his work all though some I do like its the using dead animals and pulled apart butterflies I’m not too sure of. Never having seen any of them in the flesh I thought I would at least give it a look and perhaps I might change my mind.

 

This was one of the exhibits “Away from the flock” a dead lamb in a tank with formaldehyde.

Even less sure now.

Its only a few months since my last visit so I only went in the rooms that had changed since the last time, the idea was I would move on to what had been the The Civic Theatre when I was at art collage a few (well a lot) years ago. The theatre is now the Leeds City Museum .

When I was a student Jacob Kramer Collage had buildings at either side of the theatre. We had to get  from the main building to the other via a passage that ran back stage of the theatre. As I hadn't been in that area of Leeds for at least 20 years I was very interested to see how it had changed, I also like museums. I was gob smacked to see how different every thing looked. There was still an Art collage at one side of the theatre not sure about the other though. Unfortunately the museum was closed. Apparently a lot of this type of places do close Mondays for cleaning.

the view from the Museum

The civic Hall

and a rather nice sculpture.

After satisfying  my curiosity I decided to head back and get a bus, didn't have to wait long for a bus. This time it was a direct bus great I thought home sooner. Here my mistake showed when I handed over my return ticket a different bus company, hay hum had to pay again. No matter only hiccup in a good day out.

A saunter and a soaking

My last blog told of a trip to Skye, this one concerns the day after that. Not feeling as energetic as we had the day before. Susan and I set of for a walk into town, while Walter stayed home playing with his photos. I was pleasantly surprised by Livingston, a river walk leading towards the town. We walked as far as a large civic building which had a cafe open to the public. So we stopped to have a drink (well it would be rude not too). I went to the counter to get the drinks and Susan spoke to some of her ex work colleagues . I had just sat down at the small table and put my coffee down and handed Susan the glass of milk she had asked for. So far so good !! Then out of the blue much to the amusement of other people in the cafe Susan had some sort of twitch in here hand and the paper cup with the milk in flew at me, missed me though although it did get my camera bag but it didn't soak in. Had to sponge it down when we got back to Walter’s. Although I liked the idea of the smell of stale milk getting stronger as the train got hotter and a large circle of emptiness developing around me as passengers left my carriage.

Here are a few impressions of Livingstone

 

A SHORT TRIP OVER THE BORDER

 

On Wednesday  morning  8.30 I finished work for the summer. So after a few hours sleep I set off for a couple of days with some friends in Scotland. Having arrived at the station early I settled down with a coffee and listening to an audio book on my phone so wasn’t really listening to the announcements a train came in and I heard the name Edinburgh said. Edinburgh was also written on the side of the train so I got on found my seat number then sat down. As the train pulled away I looked at my phone and wondered why the train was pulling out 10 minutes early, about 5 minutes  after that I found out. Yes I was on the wrong train the ticket collector told me. At least this train was also going to Edinburgh and the ticket guy said to stay quiet about it so I didn’t have to buy a fresh ticket. Despite this shaky start had a very pleasant journey up laid back listening to the soundtrack of the Clockwork Orange, and looking at some of the best scenery in country. What more can a girl ask for.

passing through Newcastle

On arriving in Edinburgh I was collect by Sid and taken over to Walter’s. Sid went back home to get some sleep and we were joined by Susan and after a natter over a dram we all retired to prepare for an early start.

Very early the next morning we were up and ready, Ionwan and pouch arrived first and we packed up the car then Sid made a brief appearance and as he wasn't feeling to he had to drop out. Walter bravely took over the driving and off we went. The famous five Walter, Susan, Ionwen and Buggod (I not sure of how to spell pouch’s name)

First stop Loch Lubniag, The water in this part of the loch is really still and like a mirror but not much further down it is not as smooth.

This Loch seems to be a popular place with fishermen as there were a few tents about and lots of rods lined up on the shore. No people they must have been still asleep.A place where fishermen leave their tackle out overnight!!!!

Onwards then stopping at Tyndrum for a coffee and bacon roll. Good value for money can recommend the bacon roll, £2.50 stuffed with 4 rashers of bacon. Everyone fed and watered it was back on the road again.

Heading up through Glen Coe towards Fort William stopping near  Buachaille Etive Mor and then the Meeting of the waters.

The drive through the mountains was incredible with Buachille Etvive Mor looming up as we passed looking more dramatic due to the cloud covering. All though when we stopped to take photos I seemed to concentrate on the pass ahead and a wild flower (Rosebay Willow Herb) They have recently become a bit of an obsession and feature alot in photo’s on this trip. We drove on in the hopes the clouds would lift the further north we went. We did stop again at the meeting of the waters although not much water in the falls,when we got back Walter showed us some photo’s he took not too long before when the falls had a lot more water in them.

We stopped this time at Spean Bridge,stopped to give the dog a bit of a walk and to stretch our legs.

Then went went to Eilean Doonan or Eileen Donnon or Eric Doorman or what ever we decided to call it, this came about as Walter once miss spelt it and so we gave it a different name each time we mentioned it. Any way we stopped to take photos its such a picturesque place even I couldn’t fail to get a shot. 

or two

This was the last stop we made before reaching the Skye bridge. Going over there was a road sign “ Please tell your passengers to belt up” unfortunately I wasn't quick enough to get a photo of it and I think Walter decided that obeying it with three females ( four including the dog but she only understands welsh) in the car perhaps wouldn’t have been the wisest decision.

The drive from the Bridge to Sligachan was breath taking. Looking at the Red Cuillins untill the Black Cuillins finally came in sight. We stayed at Sligachan near the bridge and had a picnic and spent some time just looking around and taking photo’s. I can’t remember the last time I was up in that area but it was certainly more than 25 years ago and being there brought back lots of good memories.

A view of the Red Cuillins

The Black Cuillins

Then it was time to set off back we stopped again at Eilean Doonan this time the light had changed. So got a shot from another angle

And then another shooting into the light from the other side.

The clouds were beginning to close in again on the way back and it started to rain on and off so wasn’t surprised to see lots of rainbows. This next was one of the complete ones we saw.

Despite this rain and incoming cloud we were able to see the Pap of Glen Coe which was covered with cloud on the way up.

The Rose bay willow herb puts in an appearance again.

Passing Buachaille Etive Mor filmed by Susan “Spielburg “ Wales

 

After retracing our steps through Glen Coe we stopped on the way back for fish and chips in Callander. Yumm although I regretted the mushy peas the next day, enough said. We arrived back in Livingston around 11pm tired but happy after a grand day out. Thanks again Walter, Susan and Ionwen for a smashing day.

 

The full album is here

Playing Catch up again…

It’s been a while again since I posted here so I’m going to try and relate what has been happening and what I have been and not being doing.

Last time I was here I was without a car, since then I have finally got one. Its blue, yep that's about the sum total of my motoring knowledge. It’s a KA so just a small car but just what I need to get to work and back, seems in reasonable nick well I like it anyway.

As shown in the pic I got the Kinder egg, sorry car, just in time for the bad weather and apart from once stranding me at work as it needed a new battery, its done me proud.

Around the time I got my car unfortunately my Dad was taken into hospital so it was extra good to be mobile and to be able to visit him and help out at home. Although he improved and came home for a while he got a chest infection and ended up back in hospital where he died just before Christmas. At least he wasn’t ill for long which was as blessing.

A photo of my Dad with Mum taken in the Summer. A kindly funny man who I greatly miss.

As now my Sister and I are the main carers for my Mum we have found ourselves very restricted as to what can do and where were can go. So not been able go far I lost the inclination to take photo’s but have spent some time scanning old photo’s from my Mum and Dad’s Albums, some of which I may post after I finished restoring. I have also spent sometime organizing and editing photo’s I have had hanging around for ages. 

 

At the end of January the RSPB had a bird watch thingy happening. For an hour on one of two days the idea was to note what birds were seen in your garden. There is a bird table in Mum’s back garden and I know my Dad used to put out food for them and was a keen bird watcher. So I decided to take part. Although I know less about birds than I do about cars,i.e.. my entire knowledge can be written on a pin head in capital letters. The hardest part I decided would be identifying them. So decided to use the camera to record then I could look up in a book later. I was surprised with the results having never done this type of photograph before, although not brilliant spurred me on to have another go a few days later.

 

and I know not really a bird but was in garden too.

This brings me up to February and in the mean time I have a few ideas for Photoshop projects which may or may not work. I still have a part made comic and plenty of other half finished projects perhaps I may have got some completed before next time !!!!!

ghosts goulies and eBooks

Its been awhile since I wrote in my blog to be honest I haven’t done much to speak of for a while.

I had no sooner got back to work after the collage holidays when my car totally died. I was just setting off to work and the car wouldn't start rang the AA and because they were busy an independent garage came out to me only to confirm my fears, Rover was no more, it was an extinct Rover. The guy who came was really good though he asked what I did for a living as it was obvious I was doing a night shift. When I told him I was a Waking night, he sais his wife ran care homes and realised how hard it would be to cover my shift at such late notice. So he offered to take me to work. This meant going miles out of his way, there are still some decent people around.

 

bye bye  little car.

Not done much photography either as as I have been busing into work not been taking big camera only phone and a pocket one. Mainly took picas of the ginger monster.

 

seems to have a thing about boxes

Cat and Mouse !!

I did take some photos of work mates the idea was to change in to zombies and things to cut out and use for decorations at Halloween around the house. Only got a few finished though.

Some needed more work than others though heehee.

So photo wise not been too exciting although a couple of weeks ago I did get one of my images in the local paper half a page too so was chuffed at that.  The image was one of waterfall in town that I had posted in an earlier blog.

Last week at last I got transport again if only on loan until a suitable car turns up, its so nice to be able to drive to work get there on time and not two hours early and get home half hour after finishing work and not an hour and a half after. I really don't know how people manage public transport all the time 6 weeks or so nearly did my head in.

I have no excuses now I must get back to some photography and some Photoshop stuff which with any luck will be another blog soon.

I recently bought a Kindle  eBook reader. This is probably the best gadget I have bought all year. This was to replace reading on my phone. For the past few years 4 or 5 years I have been reading allot of eBooks as my collection of real books had become  totally out of hand having filled every available space at home and various books. At first I used a PDA which I loved but then over the last couple of years used various smart phones which were ok but not as good as PDA mainly as the screen was smaller but saved room as only needed to carry one gadget. Now though I find reading on my phone a strain at times so the Kindle with its larger screen seemed to be the answer.

After using this for 2 or 3 weeks I’m still very impressed. I already have a large collection of eBooks and found it easy to convert and put this eBooks on the Kindle. Books for the Kindle on Amazon are now reasonably priced, at one time eBooks could turn out more expensive that “proper” books. Details of the books purchased are kept on Amazon and so they can be redownloaded if needed. These books can be read on kindle reads on other devises to so I can pick up my phone and read if i like and then when i go back to my kindle it will use the wi fi and pick up the book where I left of on the phone.The screen itself is really clear and has the look of a real book. As it isn’t back lit like most other devices which means it reads more like a book and can be read even in bright sunlight. The downside to this is unlike my phone its not so easy to read in bed . I solved this by buying a case which has a built in light. The only other con is that the display is black and white so makes reading the sorts of magazines I like hard. So I’ll still read “real” photo magazines and Art Books.

Hundreds of books in the one place,portable and a long battery life. I’m totally sold and use every day.