Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 18-140 3.5-5.6G ED

Another of my local winter walk shots, taken just some days back. I do like the way that this tree has managed to hang on to its autumn plumage. The snow, of course makes the scene. Enjoy the weekend.

At Colón in Panama, South America. 2017 The left side is the entrance to the canal's first lock and the right side is the exit into The Atlantic (Caribbean Sea). Notice the queue of ships in the distance and follow the train tracks here, down the slope of the lock where other locomotives (Mules) await the next ship. When they have finished their tow at the end of these locks they return speedily along another parallel track to the beginning.

January 2017 brought us to Colón in Panama, South America to see the famous Gatum Atlantic locks. This is the gateway into the 82km waterway that connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. In this photo we see a ship being guided by the accompanying six locomotives, three on each side here. Each loco is exactly parallel to its twin on the other side of the ship with their lines to the ship being electronically monitored in order to retain an exact tension to keep the vessel in the middle of the canal. In some cases only centimetres remained on each side, stopping the ship from hitting the sides. The ships forward motion is brought about by the ship engines themselves. A continues shuttle of trains ran from the start to the end of these locks. The two pips: One shows the very first (or last) lock entrance to the canal & Atlantic. We can see the giant queue of ships waiting to enter from the Bay. Ships are entering from the Ocean on the left and exiting on the right. The other PiP shows a close-up of these very unique engines and its computerised pulley system to the ship. It runs along a cogged track in order to transit the steep slopes at the side of each new lock gate (see inset). These trains are known as Mules More info: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panama_Canal_locks From here, we were to travel to the Pacific side by way of the Panama Scenic railway that runs alongside the canal to Panama City. Enjoy full screen.

This lone tree in the Yorkshire Dales, knows what is to come. Moments after taking this, the heavens opened up and we had torrential rain but afterwards all was back to normal and the tree quite happy. Another taken in the vicinity of Settle. Enjoy full screen.

Another golden oldie from my collection. Taken from the A498 just above Beddgelert and below the Pen-Y-Pass to Mount Snowdon Wales. Best at full screen. Enjoy the day.

Seen on the approach to Crummuck Water which lies not far from here. A simple reminder of our beautiful Lake District. PiP Enjoy full screen.

Described as Europe’s “last great wilderness” wholly in the Scottish Highlands. We were exploring around here in 2014 and this was taken on the way back to Durness after a day’s exploration around Oldshoremore and Kinlochbervie. I think the rock might be granite displaying this light pinkish rock in the late sun. This, I am fairly sure, was taken whilst traveling NE along the A838, now part of the famous route 500. Enjoy the day.

Seen in a Normandy, France cottage garden. As the front tyre was flat ? I imagine this more of a garden showpiece than a practical ride to market. A very French ritual! Enjoy the day. CWP (2024/03) "Bicycles, Tricycle's or Cargo bikes": 26th

The Culloden Viaduct is a railway viaduct on the Highland Main Line, to the east of the city of Inverness, in the Highland council area of Scotland. It was designed by Murdoch Paterson and opened in 1898 as part of the Inverness and Aviemore Direct Railway, which was built by the Highland Railway. The Battle of Culloden took place on 16 April 1746, near Inverness in the Scottish Highlands. A Jacobite army under Charles Edward Stuart was decisively defeated by a British government force commanded by the Duke of Cumberland, thereby ending the Jacobite rising of 1745. WiKi The NC 500: The Scottish 'North Coast 500' is one of the world’s most beautiful road trips. A route of just over 500 miles (516) of stunning coastal scenery, white sandy beaches, rugged mountains, remote fishing villages and hidden gems.

Channery Lighthouse. Channery Point is perhaps Black Isles most famous tourist hot-spot. Not for its attractive lighthouse but for the sighting of its dolphins. It is one of the best spots in the UK to view bottlenose dolphins from the land. The dolphins are often visible off Chanonry point, particularly on an incoming tide when they play and fish in the strong currents. Porpoise and seals are also seen here. We saw none but many people around us saw them! The lighthouse was established: 1846, Engineer: Alan Stevenson, Tower Height: 13 metres Light Range: 15 miles, Elevation: 12 metres, Automated: 1984 The NC 500: The Scottish 'North Coast 500' is one of the world’s most beautiful road trips. A route of just over 500 miles (516) of stunning coastal scenery, white sandy beaches, rugged mountains, remote fishing villages and hidden gems.

Invergordon, on the Cromarty Firth as seen from the north of the Black isle. Most famous for its Highland Whisky perhaps but now also a very popular cruise ship destination from where its passengers can tour the highlands and its distilleries. This is also one of Scotland's oil and gas rig assembly centres. The NC 500: The Scottish 'North Coast 500' is one of the world’s most beautiful road trips. A route of just over 500 miles (516) of stunning coastal scenery, white sandy beaches, rugged mountains, remote fishing villages and hidden gems.

As we leave the Black Isle to start the NC500 proper, heading west across Scotland, we spy this oil/gas rig with its legs high above the water line in Cromarty Firth. The NC 500: The Scottish 'North Coast 500' is one of the world’s most beautiful road trips. A route of just over 500 miles (516) of stunning coastal scenery, white sandy beaches, rugged mountains, remote fishing villages and hidden gems.

The Fairy Glen in Rosemarkie sits just north of Channery Point on the Black isle. There are a number of waterfalls here but this stunner is clearly the best of them. The NC 500: The Scottish 'North Coast 500' is one of the world’s most beautiful road trips. A route of just over 500 miles (516) of stunning coastal scenery, white sandy beaches, rugged mountains, remote fishing villages and hidden gems.

An eight mile return hike along a bleak moorland track is amply rewarded when the fabulous views of Sandwood Bay comes into view, perhaps the most beautiful beach in Britain. If you thought Oldshoremore beach was remote then you have not seen anything till you get here! In the distance we see Am Buachaille, a sea stack composed of Torridonian Sandstone.It is 65 metres (213 feet) high and was first climbed in 1968. - Yes the footprints in the sand are my wife's and mine. The NC 500: The Scottish 'North Coast 500' is one of the world’s most beautiful road trips. A route of just over 500 miles (516) of stunning coastal scenery, white sandy beaches, rugged mountains, remote fishing villages and hidden gems.

HFF from this wonderful area of North West Scotland. We are here just north of Kinlochbervie overlooking the wonderful Oldshoremoor beach. Said to be one of the remotest beaches in the UK. Judging from the amount of tourist here in June, I can vouch for that too after a long drive and hike. The NC 500: The Scottish 'North Coast 500' is one of the world’s most beautiful road trips. A route of just over 500 miles (516) of stunning coastal scenery, white sandy beaches, rugged mountains, remote fishing villages and hidden gems.

We are here at the most north-westerly point in Great Britain. A small ferry ride then a rather rough drive over the wild countryside used as a military training area. Here we are greeted with a misty scene rising from the Atlantic Ocean to the famous lighthouse. The cape is separated from the rest of the mainland by the Kyle of Durness and consists of 107 square miles of moorland wilderness known as the Parph. Wikipedia Another Robert Stevenson designed lighthouse, established in 1828. The NC 500: The Scottish 'North Coast 500' is one of the world’s most beautiful road trips. A route of just over 500 miles (516) of stunning coastal scenery, white sandy beaches, rugged mountains, remote fishing villages and hidden gems.

Just as we approach Durness we visit Balnakei Bay here at sunset. This spot is quite famous for its glorious sunsets as you might imagine. However we were to sample its wonderful golden sands and beach walks too whilst up here for a week. The NC 500: The Scottish 'North Coast 500' is one of the world’s most beautiful road trips. A route of just over 500 miles (516) of stunning coastal scenery, white sandy beaches, rugged mountains, remote fishing villages and hidden gems.

Before we head east from Durness, we get to sample the golden deserted beach of Balnakei Bay again. This is my answer to 'Why do you visit Scotland ?" The NC 500: The Scottish 'North Coast 500' is one of the world’s most beautiful road trips. A route of just over 500 miles (516) of stunning coastal scenery, white sandy beaches, rugged mountains, remote fishing villages and hidden gems.