Reflections

Detouring of the main Northern NC500 road ( A838) we head up to the beautiful Oldshoremore area and its wonderful Sandwood Bay, passing through the village of Kinlochbervie. Described as a crofting community, with a huge fish-processing plant with a modern concrete harbour shown here (without the bad bits :) ) Of course the reflections did it for me here. 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.

Sadly we are on our way home again after two very exciting weeks here in Scotland. Our first photo stop on our way back is Eilean Donan Castle in quite different conditions to our visit some days ago. Calm waters and blue skies give this view quite a different look to my first capture (see PiP). "One of Scotland's most iconic and most recognisable castles set in the majestic NW highlands. The island's original castle was built in the thirteenth century; it became a stronghold of the Clan Mackenzie and their allies, the Clan MacRae. Between 1919 and 1932, the castle was rebuilt. The restoration included the construction of an arched bridge to give easier access to the island." Enjoy the day

It was almost the end of our Springtime holiday here in Scotland and we had to start our two day road trip back home. Now as things always are, this last day in the North West of Scotland turns out to be one of the best weather days of our two weeks here. As we had a leisurely 254miles (409km) to go to our overnight stop-over, I was to pass through some of Scotland’s most beautiful scenery giving many opportunities for my camera. Here is the first capture on this wonderful day. Looking west from Eilean Donan Castle along Loch Alsh to the sea. Our holiday cottage was just beyond the white cottages on the right. The hills on our left are in fact on the Isle of Skye not far from where I posted photos of the Kylerhea Ferry. Enjoy full screen

As we journey back home I took a last look at this castle, so here is another photo but this time a little closer. Taken from the eastern side. pip "One of Scotland's most iconic and most recognisable castles set in the majestic NW highlands. The island's original castle was built in the thirteenth century; it became a stronghold of the Clan Mackenzie and their allies, the Clan MacRae. Between 1919 and 1932, the castle was rebuilt. The restoration included the construction of an arched bridge to give easier access to the island." Enjoy the day

Loch Lochy between Fort William and Loch Ness has a lot going for it. To get such reflections is quite a wonder that I can only hope to see once again at least. I am looking east here from near Letter Finlay. "Loch Lochy is a large freshwater loch in Lochaber, Highland, Scotland. It is 15km (9 miles) long with an average width of 1km and a mean depth of 70 m (230ft), it is the third-deepest loch of Scotland. Enjoy full screen

A stop at Letter Finlay in such calm conditions makes one spoilt for choice. I could not but help to snap another view to the east. "Loch Lochy is a large freshwater loch in Lochaber, Highland, Scotland. It is 15km (9 miles) long with an average width of 1km and a mean depth of 70 m (230ft), it is the third-deepest loch of Scotland. Enjoy full screen

A look at the Autumn reflections on this most popular reservoir. Best full screen

As we begin our second leg of this Danube river cruise from Bratislava to Melk in Austria we say goodnight and goodbye to this wonderful hilltop castle lit up beautifully for us as we pass it. We will pass it again, but without a stop, in four days time. Best full screen. Enjoy the day.

It’s a cold day here at Dunham Massey but the benches still have picnickers with their hot drinks resting here and its never too cold to play. Normally, I presume you could take a seat inside where I am sure the temperatures are far higher but...closed today! Taken on our county park walkabout HBM, enjoy the week.

The Austrian city of Linz has much to recommend. Here is its very modern Art Museum which stands on the banks of the lovely Danube. Enjoy the day.

Our last day of the Danube holiday was to be spent almost entirely up at the Buda castle. Only a short walk from there was this most picturesque part of Buda: the Fishermans Bastion. Here we have a reflection from one of its many tower scenes and also the top touring wall walk. As can be noticed. A very popular place indeed. See PiP (Adjacent photo) for a another view of the Bastion. Best full screen. Enjoy full screen.

Our Danube boat was anchored almost alongside this modern building. The Famous Cultural Centre and Shopping Mall is on Left Bank of the River Danube River. From a short distance away one could see the shape of a whale on the roof design. On my quick visit it held a display of military equipment. Best full screen.

A second look back on our trip to Granada and the Alhambra Palace back in 2006. This is the Palacios Nazaries. "This is the stunning centrepiece of the Alhambra, the most brilliant Islamic building in Europe, with perfectly proportioned rooms and courtyards, intricately moulded stucco walls, beautiful tiling, fine carved wooden ceilings and elaborate stalactite-like muqarnas vaulting, all worked in mesmerising, symbolic, geometrical patterns. Arabic inscriptions proliferate in the stucco work." www.lonelyplanet.com Best full screen

Still around the Norfolk Broads we are in the tiny village of West Somerton, the starting point for a fine little walk along the River Thurne towards Martham Broad. We can see another windmill here which is the ‘West Somerton Drainage Mill’ again without its sails. The bench we see was our picnic spot a little time after taking this. Have a great day.