Herb Riddle's photos

Another capture from this loch, concentrating on this trio of nearby trees. I liked the foreground one standing out from the far mountain and water with this very healthy foliage. The ones to the right are displaying their new growth of springtime leaf. Best full screen

Just beyond the palace gateway (PiP) we come to the main features of this most wonderful place. Here we have the grand entrance into the main forecourt and grounds of this 800 year Auckland Castle serving as the Bishops Palace. You see the 1790’s symmetrical screen wall featuring decorative corner turrets, crenulations, and pointed arched gateways with iron gates. See second PiP for a view through the fence. Enjoy the weekend.

Another view from this fabulous Highland Loch. The area is almost deserted except for the odd couple slowly walking and taking photos at seemingly random spots (˚◡˚) Best viewed full screen Enjoy the day.

A new day brings us to the very old town of Bishop Auckland. Set in a beautiful location it is home to the Bishops Palace, Deer park and the famous Kynren British history themed attraction. The historic Auckland Castle gateway and clock tower was built around 1760 for Bishop Richard Trevor, serving as the grand ceremonial entrance to the former palace of the Prince Bishops of Durham. Features a distinct gothic-revival stone archway and a clock tower housing a remarkably ancient bell with an inscription that traces it back to between 1175 and 1200. This makes it one of the oldest bells in the world Enjoy full screen and have a good day.

Walking along the River Wear new Durham we witness a field of wheat going up in flames. It was at its worse around one hour earlier with clouds of acrid black smoke seen from a long way. We see it here when the fire had done its damage and was being damped down by local firemen. As I took this, wildfires were raviging many places in Britain and Europe especially France and Spain as the temperatures soared and rainfall was at an all-time low. Best viewed full screen Enjoy the day.

One cannot imagine ‘The Small Isle’s in the Inner Hebrides being quite like this. High rugged peaks and green forest. I am on a small valley trail here which if followed entirely would lead to the top of those peaks, but not for me this time. Fortunately, someone has given some thoughts to the hiker here by providing a place of rest to admire the stunning Rum scenery. Have a perfect day.

Another of my old Panoramio entries here. Looking a bit like some of my watercolor paintings of long ago. Taken in the Yorkshire Dales near Horton in Ribblesdale so probably pointing to Pen-y-Ghent. Sadly this looks all too much like some of our moorland after the recent fires but..... Enjoy the day.

A scene witnessed in many of our European countries at the moment, especially in Spain and France as well as here in Britain. This smoke is the result of a field of wheat going up in flames nearby and this was our way forward blocked for the moment by denser smoke beyond here. Take care, all you that are near fires and keep cool. Best ful screen

We walked along this Loch side many years ago in rain and very grey weather. It seemed a miserable broody stretch of water then but what a difference today. This is one of a number of piers along its 18.8 km (11.7 miles) length and this photo belies its incredible depth of 310 m (1017 ft) making it the deepest in the UK and 17th deepest in the word. It has a surface area of 26.7 sq km (10.3 miles). (The deepest Sea loch is Loch Etive which is only 145 m deep (176ft). Although there are some boats moored here, in the hours walking I only saw one moving across the water. See PiP for Loch church Best full screen Have a good weekend.

We are just outside Durham here, on the River Wear. A good place to take a canoe or paddle board for miles of fun on the water. Notice the smoke in the near distance as it creeps into this river area. The smoke created by a nearby wheat field going up in flames. At the moment it does not concern these children or the dog but it was to get worse. Best viewed full screen Enjoy the day.

Our fourth day at Mallaig and we go to explore the nearby Loch Morar, which is the deepest body of freshwater in the British Isles. Before we get to the waters edge we pass by this fine church. This picturesque building is Our Lady of Perpetual Succour & St Cumin’s RC Church, It was built in 1889 by the wealthy Lovat family. Constructed from grey stone, the building is known for its prominent circular bell tower with a conical roof and its ornate interior stained glass. See PiP for alternative view. Enjoy full screen and have a good day.

This field full of wheat or barley was seen near our holiday home not far from Bishop Auckland in County Durham. Later on the same day we were to see a similar field go up in flames, destroying the entire crop. This field however was in fact harvested some five days later. Best viewed full screen Enjoy the day.

Bishop Auckland, County Durham: As we sit in our latest holiday home on our first evening and watch the oncoming sunset, suddenly we have rain and a splendid rainbow. Both rain and rainbow lasted only a minute or two but long enough for a quick snap as can be seen here. You can see that practically all the grass now is a dry burned yellow after weeks of heat and no rainfall. The loose stone was preparation work for an installation of a hot-tub! (it was not installed however whilst we were there –boo hoo!) Have a perfect day.

A view towards the Small Islands of Scotland from Mallaig. Enjoy full screen

Another view of one of the little sandy bays of Camusdarach here. "Hold on to the rope, it might be slippy". Ahead we see Eigg and Rum of the Small Islands. See PiP for the same bay from a different spot. Enjoy another hot weekend

Just outside the Alaska coastal town of Juneau in Alaska and next to the Mendenhall Glacier. This is in fact the bottom of two falls, each of 99ft (30m) dropping a total height of 115m high (377ft). An impressive sight indeed. Judge the height by the size of the people below. PiP has mapping. Enjoy full screen

Seen in the centre of Manchester some twelve years back. Is it the University professor late for his lecture or train? Keep cool.

Showing the old life-boat ramp to the water we see here the busy harbour at a quiet time. The ferries have sailed and the fishing fleet sail at nightfall. You can see here the modern lifeboat moored by the quay in orange, on call for any emergency, which in this part of the world can be quite frequently Mallaig was one of the foremost fishing harbours on the west coast in the heyday of the herring industry but, like everywhere else, that has decreased and now the boats that are left are mainly involved in fishing for langoustine. Mallaig provides some of the best shelter on the coast for all weathers with the exception of strong Northerlies when the anchorages across in Inverie Bay on the Knoidart shore would provide much better shelter. (A spot that we were also to visit.) See PiP for alternative view. Enjoy full screen. Have a good day.