Category: Landscapes

Life in the Western Isles

Crystal clear water beneath the turquoise seascapes. White sandy beaches integrated between outstanding rugged coastline. All this, wrapped around the moody and biodiverse Hebridean islands. Don’t be put off by the weather, be attracted by it.

 

Ashleigh and I have been living out here for a couple of months now, and time is flying. October brought some amazing weather, we’ve pretty much had the four seasons. The nights are getting longer and the clocks have just turned. So far we’ve had some awesome, clear nights with a few previews of the Aurora Borealis.

 

The wildlife is booming in these months. The Stags are rutting and barking out across the moorland. Thankfully, we can hear this when out in North Uist but avoid the early-morning wake ups here on ‘Deerless’ Berneray. The Salmon and Sea Trout are running up the loch systems to spawn in the gravel beds. I’ve not been fortunate enough to hook one on the fly yet but there’s still a few days. Finally, the birdlife has been pretty spectacular around here throughout the autumn. Birds of Prey are no longer a rare sight around the islands. Buzzards, Hen Harriers and Sea (White Tailed) Eagles are often seen around Berneray and Newton alone. Unusually, a Common Crane and Snow Goose have taken up residency on the Berneray Machair. This became even more impressive when they were joined by over a thousand Barnacle Geese.

 

The winter is wild up here with strong winds and cooler temperatures. I can’t wait.

Bridging Into Videography

For years I have had a keen interest in photography. I’ve never been shown how to use a camera or had any lessons and everything I do is purely experimental. Photography for me is essentially a hobby.

The idea of developing my skills into film has always been an ambition. Though, previously I had a misconception of the time, skills and technology needed to produce good quality films, which in turn inhibited my aspirations.

While Ashleigh and I lived our experiences in New Zealand, we captured moments with a GoPro Hero 4. This was a gift that we requested from both our parents after realising the camera’s potential when travelling in Fiji. The GoPro bridged the gaps between photography and film for me. That misconception of the technology needed to produce good videography was diminished. The camera is so easy and simply to use and the equipment far exceeds my needs.

I produced this short film with the footage we both collected over our time in New Zealand. As you’ll see, the country is beautiful and we were spoiled with landscapes and experiences to use for material. The video was fairly simple to put together with the use of ‘GoPro Studio’ on my Mac. This is definitely the first of many for me.

Music: Luck & Love by Let’s Buy Happiness

 

What’s your alarm?

It’s a tough call.

I’ve ruined countless amounts of good songs as they slip from hero to zero in my ears shortly after I set them as my wake-up call.

The sound of rock and snow avalanches at a close but safe distance from your tent… now that’s got to be one you don’t get sick of. Especially when you peel back your tent door and witness the spectacle for yourself.

Mt. Cook National Park.

Mt. Cook National Park

It is fair to say that driving around New Zealand’s South Island is amazing. However, when you drive to Mt. Cook Village, it’s more than amazing. There are few superlatives that will do this road justice, not to mention the hiking and camping to be done when you get there.

 

Doubtful Sound

AMAZING!

I have to search through superlatives to find words that come remotely close to describing Fiordland and Doubtful Sound.

Words, Pictures, actions… nothing does this place justice. You simply have to experience it in person to understand how breathtaking it really is.

We visited Fiordland overnight with Real Journey’s. The dorms were comfortable and the food was brilliant. This was all a bonus though, I was there for the famous scenery.

GLENORCHY&PARADISE

 

After spending a night in Queenstown for my birthday we woke up to a bluebird day and had a spontaneous trip out to Glenorchy and Paradise. We had already been out this way in the summer, however the clouds rolled in and ruined the views into Mt. Aspiring National Park. I was determined to return one day – this day was a belter with clear skies and plenty white stuff on the peaks.

Heading out of Queenstown along the banks of Lake Wakatipu, the road to Glenorchy is a dancer! You’ll experience epic views of the water, hills, mountains and white stuff. Keep your eyes on the road though, you get the feeling some wanderlust travellers loose concentration on the winding, twisting and narrowing stretches. When you get to Glenorchy, keep going there’s more. Follow the signs for Paradise.

Around these parts of New Zealand, you’re able to get your fix of Lord of the Rings/ Hobbit locations such as the Forest of Middle Earth. We even spotted a couple of class-acts running around the woods dressed as Hobbits.

 

 

 

COOL CAMPING.

First big freeze of the year, heaps of snow on the mountains, big high sitting over New Zealand’s South Island – “Let’s go camping at Tekapo!”

We camped at this site in the summer on our travel’s around NZ. Just over from Lake Tekapo, this land sits on the banks of much small Lake McGreggor.

After a hilariously bad experience at the Chinese restaurant in Tekapo (it’s that bad we go for entertainment) we found a pint and a fire in a nearby pub to warm ourselves through before heading back to Lake McGreggor. It was a bloody cold night!

When we got back to our site there was no one else camping, probably due to the freezing conditions! We took the majority of our bed and copious amounts of sleeping bags and blankets to see us through the night!

The skies were ‘clear as’ with an enormous Milky Way stretching from horizon to horizon. I took the picture above right beside our tent by lighting the lake and the tree with my iPhone. I find time flies when I’m fooling around with night photography.