Climbing to the Top

Posted on 09/04/201309/04/2013 by Alastair

Yesterday afternoon I had the need to get on top of things. Without going into details, the answer for me was to climb our local mountain, Graig Fawr.

Even on the lower slopes of the mountain you get a great view over the valley but as I climbed higher this view got better and better. Skylarks twittered above me and I got a good close view of a pair of Red Kites. Up on top the wind was exhilarating and, at least momentarily, my troubles were blown away. Seeing the land and the weather on this scale has a tendency to put other issues into perspective.

Despite its name (fawr means big in Welsh), the mountain is only small but for all that you get a great view over four or five counties in South Wales. I had deliberately not taken my cameras or sound kit as it was the walk and the climb that I needed. However, I couldn’t resist taking one or two shots on my phone. I have not produced a StillWalk on Graig Fawr yet but I think that time is coming soon.

Graig Fawr

Graig Fawr Triangulation Point

Looking to Carmarthenshire

Light and Dark Over Wales

Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon

Posted on 03/04/201303/04/2013 by Alastair

Staying with Swansea for today, check out the Tidal Logoon Project and see what you think.

http://www.tidallagoonswanseabay.com/film.aspx

Activity in Swansea Bay

Posted on 31/03/201331/03/2013 by Alastair

One of the nice things about Swansea Bay – There doesn’t appear to be a lot of human activity in these photos but the beach stretches round from the harbour wall at the eastern end right round to Mumbles at the other end. The result of this is that, even when there are a lot of people down there, it doesn’t feel crowded because there is so much space.

The first three images here seemed to me to suit being in black and white, though the following two are not far off it either! In fact Swansea Bay can be quite a colourful place when the sun is out as you can begin to see in yesterday’s post.

Mumbles Lighthouse

The Irish Ferry

Looking Back

Posted on 29/03/201329/03/2013 by Alastair

The reflections in these puddles and the subject matter of the Cathays Cemetery made me think that while putting the blog posts together for this week, I have mostly been looking back, if only to Saturday – so now to look forward!

Despite the cold on Saturday, I really liked this cemetery and I hope that you can see from the previous images through the week, that it has many different aspects to it. I must visit again in the late Spring or Summer to enjoy it in better conditions.

Cathays Cemetery

On a different note – sometimes, as on this occasion, I compile a few posts all at the same time and scheduled them to go out through the week. It was been a pleasure to do so this time to the music of Carla Bley (have fun on her website :-)). Anyone else enjoy her music?

The Audience and the Districts

Posted on 28/03/201328/03/2013 by Alastair

These graves look like they have an excellent view of the event – whatever that may be! They make me think of a concert in the park where everyone brings a picnic and enjoys the event from deck chairs. In Britain they would have brought umbrellas as well 🙂

Cathays Cemetery in Cardiff has many aspects to it.

The Audience

Some hide away

Some prefer to be more private and hide away amongst the greenery.

This cemetery has it all, even a “downtown” area with sky scrapers!

Downtown at the cemetery

Wandering Around the Garden, France.

Posted on 24/03/201324/03/2013 by Alastair

French Garden – Two more photos from my parents’ garden in Faye la Vineuse and you can see it below in the StillWalks “Garden Walk, France”.

. . .

The house is for sale and you see the StillWalks house tour here and get further details on the house website.

Looking Out

Looking Down

French Garden Walk and House Tours

Posted on 23/03/201323/03/2013 by Alastair

New StillWalks – I have just completed a new StillWalk, for Summer, of my parents garden in France, “Garden Walk, France”. It is a beautiful garden and the sounds of the birds and bees, the church bells and the peace take me straight back there.

There is also a StillWalk house tour produced to help sell the house. Anyone interested should check it out and if you know of anyone who may be interested, please pass this on.