Stay at home

[litljortindan]

This is a walk that could have been but wasn't. Nevertheless, I was so bowled over by the light that I wanted to write about both what was and what might have been.
We sometimes make the short journey to Banff to walk along the shore or to see the sunset or to watch the waves. On this occasion we were going to watch the waves and the sunset. So no walk. But I did get some nice sunset pictures.
Next we planned to head to the car wash. Caught a glimpse there of the post sunset light show but, frustrated, had to sit in the car for ten minutes and assumed everything would have dulled down by the time we were finished.
Astonishingly, we spent the whole of the next hour in the car park along from the car wash that overlooks the beach. That light over Sutherland and the Moray Firth was just incredible.

DSC07674 by John Little, on Flickr

DSC07684 by John Little, on Flickr

DSC07703 by John Little, on Flickr

DSC07707 by John Little, on Flickr

DSC07720 by John Little, on Flickr
The sun is setting and it's time to head for the car wash before it closes. So nothing more to photograph and no more walk to imagine? No chance.

DSC07725 by John Little, on Flickr
Many subtle colours.

DSC07727 by John Little, on Flickr

DSC07734 by John Little, on Flickr

DSC07736 by John Little, on Flickr

DSC07737 by John Little, on Flickr
The lights of Whitehills.

DSC07738 by John Little, on Flickr

DSC07749 by John Little, on Flickr

DSC07752 by John Little, on Flickr

DSC07753 by John Little, on Flickr

DSC07757 by John Little, on Flickr

DSC07759 by John Little, on Flickr

DSC07763 by John Little, on Flickr

DSC07764 by John Little, on Flickr

DSC07766 by John Little, on Flickr

DSC07767 by John Little, on Flickr

DSC07768 by John Little, on Flickr

DSC07769 by John Little, on Flickr

DSC07772 by John Little, on Flickr

DSC07774 by John Little, on Flickr

DSC07778 by John Little, on Flickr

So I imagine that if I had this evening again I would walk along the shore and then up to the car park on the path there. That would have made a fine short walk. But if I hadn't had the carwash facilities to look at for ten minutes would the scene have been so breath-taking as it turned out?

[Alteknacker]

Incredible! This is " ain't it great to be alive?" stuff.

If I try to imagine perfection topping this, it would have been flogging up a tough route, and having these developing views from the top ( at which point, reflecting on recent such experience, I might have been too k*******d to appreciate it, and may just have crashed out ).

[rodderss]

Some cracking photos John, from my neck of the woods.

Always wondered what hills it is you can see in the distance.
Have looked at the is map but could never figure out which ones they are.
Anyone any ideas?

[larry groo]

They are grand photies indeed!

I think it's Morven and Scaraben on the horizon?

[rockhopper]

Ooft - cracking set of photos You're getting quite good at this sunset lark - cheers

[litljortindan]

They are grand photies indeed!

I think it's Morven and Scaraben on the horizon?

Thanks. Yes, I make those Morven and Scaraben. Not often so clearly seen from Banff as they are about 50 miles distant.

[litljortindan]

Incredible! This is " ain't it great to be alive?" stuff.

If I try to imagine perfection topping this, it would have been flogging up a tough route, and having these developing views from the top ( at which point, reflecting on recent such experience, I might have been too k*******d to appreciate it, and may just have crashed out ).

Sitting in the car wash doesn't quite replicate the walking experience but maybe akin to emerging from mist to see a view. Don't think I've seen those sort of colours very often, if at all, before.

[litljortindan]

Some cracking photos John, from my neck of the woods.

Always wondered what hills it is you can see in the distance.
Have looked at the is map but could never figure out which ones they are.
Anyone any ideas?

Definitely a good spot to catch the evening light.

[litljortindan]

Ooft - cracking set of photos You're getting quite good at this sunset lark - cheers

Thanks. Bit of luck there. Still not sure about the camera but maybe it is earning a reprieve.