Passing Time In Eskdale

Throughout the year I've been trying my hand at timelapse photography. This is time consuming as two hours shooting can produce a few seconds video depending on the exposure time. The following is the best in my opinion I've done this year, unfortunately the quality is a bit disappointing when it is up loaded but nevertheless I'll get round that in due coarse. The video is best watched with sound turned on.

Events and Eventing

Shot of the Day

The last couple of days has been quite eventful. On Thursday evening I attended a retirement party for a work colleague at the Thin White Duke in Carlisle. Carole and Malcolm kindly gave me a bed for the night which meant I was able to let my hair down a bit without worrying how to get home. 
In   the morning Carole and I went uptown to visit the monthly farmers market. Amongst other things Carole purchased some wild garlic pesto and I can honestly say it's the best pesto I have ever tasted, it proved so popular that when Carole returned in the afternoon for more they had sold out. 
During lunch the bird feeders were visited by a male and female Bullfinch.

The Robin was curious as to what all the fuss was about

After lunch I went we all went to Tullie House Museum to help Malcolm fill up the community cabinet that is situated in the foyer. Malcolm is a member of the Border Woodturners which is based at Brampton and they were invited to put some of their craft work on display for a month. 

A debate as to how things should be laid out.

Whilst they were arranging the cabinet I took the opertunity to have a wander round the museum gardens.

When I returned everything was in its place.

Malcolm proudly shows off some of skills of the woodworkers.

On Saturday Mr & Mrs Tootlepedal and myself were invited to join Melanie Horne at the Eden Valley horse trials where she was covering the event for a high profile eventing magazine. We were blessed with perfect weather and were able to get some wonderful shots. To get more on this event visit Tootlepedals blog where there will be more detailed report. 

Langholm girl Shelley Johnstone

Tootlepedal has a rest

Melanie in action

Mel's always a very cheery person

 A refusal

Marshall's were very relaxed and enjoying the event

Flights of Fancy

  Shot of the Day

Last Saturdays glorious winter snow scenes was contrasted this week by a glorious early spring day. But we mustn't get too complacent as according to the forecast it's back to the wet and dull weather we have been getting lately. Never the less today's sunshine was most welcome and lifted one's spirits.

I had arranged to go to Dumfries with Mr & Mrs Tootlepedal to view Dumfries Camera Clubs annual photo exhibition, but before that I popped into the Farmers Market and purchased some venison mince on Tootlepedals recommendation. I also treated myself to some haggis, sausages, pies and tattie scones. I then went to Wauchope cottage where Mr & Mrs T were waiting for me. Tom had volunteered to be chauffeur as I was to be their guest for the day. 

The drive across to Dumfries was quite delightful and the view over Dumfries was spectacular. Alison remarked it was one of her favourite Scottish views. The exhibition was being held in the Gracefield Arts Centre. Each participant had panels of three or four photos. There was a mixed bag of subjects ranging from portraits, landscape, wildlife to the bizarre but the quality was extremely high. 

Both Tootlepedal and I noticed a great number of the photos were surrounded by a thin black line which made the print stand out within the mount itself and it might be good idea to try it ourselves. After all this viewing a cup of coffee in the Tearoom was called for. 

On leaving the exhibition we noticed a large patch of daffodils protruding from the lawn and on closer inspection they were planted to spell out the word HOST. I would like to see them when they are in full bloom so it might be worth a return visit. In another gallery there was an embroidery exhibition which was to Mrs Tootlepedals delight.

We headed towards Caerlaverock National Nature Reserve stopping off at Glencaple and start taking pictures in earnest. The following selection is just a small selection but I picked out what I thought was of interest.

My highlight of the day was spotting an Egret out on the marsh. I managed to get a snap but I think Tootlepedal may have got a better one. Click here to see if he has and view his day.

Stranded at Glencaple

Signs of spring

Lakeland Fells

Flights of Fancy

Tootlepedal

Mrs Tootlepedal in her now internationally famous hat. 

A new addition to the Wetlands

                                                  Packing up and heading for home

If the journey across was pleasant, the journey home was spectacular. 

My day out in the company of Mr & Mrs Tootlepedal was an absolute pleasure. They along with some other  close friends have kept me going over these last dark few months and would like to let them know how much I appreciate their friendship and also the kind comments on the blog.