Sunday 21st October 2012

Not much walking today, just a fern from Port Mooar and fungus from Point of Ayre

 

 

 

This evening Chris and I decided to go out and see if we could capture some night skies. We weren't aiming for star trails - more pictures that showed lots of stars. As the sun was setting, the sky was almost cloudless so, as the sun went down we set off.

 

First stop, the wind blown trees at Baldwin, above Injebreck. When we first arrived, the stars were just starting to show but, it was still too light for star pictures. Enough time to decide on the best angle for pictures (avoiding the lights of Douglas and the very bright moon) and set up.

 

After some time, we decided to head to Montpelier Plantation in Druidale for a few more pictures

And so, we headed home to edit and warm up!



Saturday 20th October 2012

As there was a chance of sunshine and the trees were starting to change colour, Dave and I decided to head to Injebreck hoping for some reflections in the water.

We then took a walk up the lane, towards the house by the cattle grid

After walking back to the car, we decided to head to Glen Wylin for lunch and then to take a walk through Cooil Dharry. Unfortunately, the colours here were not as bright as at Injebreck, not helped either by the sun going in.

Finally, we headed into the Curraghs. No Wallabies today but the Royal Fern was turning nicely

Sunday 14th October 2012

Another sunny day and Chris and I set out on our usual route. First stop, Port Mooar where the dandelion clock was looking a bit tatty

 

 

On arrival at Port Lewaigue, it was still very muddy with large areas fenced off

 

 

As we approached the point, Chris decided to walk around the back of the tip, in the hope of migrants. I took the car down to the end and had a bit of a look around the immediate area, finding some fungus

Though I have taken many pictures of the lighthouse, it was looking nice against the blue sky so, I looked for different angles

Saturday 13th October 2012

When Dave arrived this week, I made a suggestion for a walk. Would I regret it later? Only time would tell. I really don't like going up hills. I enjoy the view from the top but, all that effort to get there....

Anyway, for some time we had been avoiding talking about a walk. The idea was to park in Ballaugh and walk into the hills on a circular route that came out in Kirk Michael. We would then either walk along the old railway track or the beach to get back to the car. So, it was a nice day so we parked in Ballaugh and set off. We walked up past the sheltered housing complex until eventually the road became a track. The views as we climbed higher, were pretty good

After some time we started heading down towards Kirk Michael

Now finally, we could get near to the hang gliders we had been catching glimpses of

We headed down to the beach for lunch and decided to continue along the beach. We would leave the beach at the lime kiln and then work our way through Orrisdale until we picked up the railway line again

Friday 12th October 2012

Not strictly a walk (well, I did walk down onto the beach!). I thought I would share these sunset pictures from Ramsey beach

Sunday 7th October 2012

Today Chris and I decided to do our 'usual' route, in search of migrant birds but also (as I planned to bake later in the day) blackberries.

Firstly, we headed to Port Mooar

A brief stop at Port Lewaigue was unproductive for either birds or blackberries so, it was off to the point, which was more productive all round

Chris photographing waders

Saturday 6th October 2012

This week, Dave and I headed south. We parked not far from The Shore by Gansey. The plan was to take the footpath from there to Colby, walk around the back of the village, through the glen and eventually back to the car. First though, a photo opportunity arose woth the Grey Wagtails in the stream next to where we had parked.

We carried on along the footpath - it was rather muddy in places, and crossed over the track for the steam train.

Once we reached the village, we went a short way up a quiet road before reaching the footpath which went past a mill which looks like it is having work done to it.

On the way along the track, we had views across towards Langness

The track led us into Colby Glen - and time for lunch

We then made our way to Colby station - just in time for a train to come in

We carried on along the footpath until we reached the coast and turned towards the car

As we headed back up north, we decided to call into Milntown - this week and next it was free entry here and at a number of other places