Environmental Art Projects 1st Feb

We were awake at 8.00am - no alarm thank goodness - but I got up straight away so as not to tempt fate like yesterday and fall asleep again.

The weather was forecast to be a bit better today and although still cold, and sometimes rainy, it was pleasant enough to get out and about for photography. The low wind also meant Vince could get the drone up.

So far our approach to our photography on Skye has been really a photojournalistic one, trying to get some Epic shots of the icons of Skye. But today - inspired by the images of Skye Blue Gallery (which we haven’t yet snagged as open but have looked online) and also my creative awakening to learn to paint - I suggested that we leave Elgol for another day and search closer to home for a varied genre.

We started out by just walking outside and looking around Willie McLeod’s views for ideas. As we did Lorraine popped over with our wood delivery - for 75 GBP.

Then we were off in the car to Score Bay, near Duntulm Castle for some more shots. Whilst we were there along came Alan (the crofter). I waved but Vince stopped him to invite him for lunch on MONDAY - instead of Sunday as we will be going out to photograph to make the best of the weather forecast. After we finished at Score bay it was around 12.30pm

We travelled the Uig road into Portree and went to the Royal Hotel for lunch - we had Scotch Broth and a role with a diet coke (but they gave me Pepsi - I soldiered through it but I HATE Pepsi).

Then it was off to the Co op for our weekly food shopping. I bought a couple of bottles of Australian wine (red and white) to take to dinner on Tuesday at our friend’s Penny (Photographer) and Clive’s place on Sleat. When we came out, the sky had started to clear, and we could actually see a bit of blue here and there and the sun would occasionally peep through.

We went home via the Eastern Road, and stopped off at the Storr Lochs for some shots. I set up by the edge of the road, as the tall grass was flattened and I didn’t know what was beneath it so didn’t want to go down the embankment too far. I was happily snapping trying to get some swans on the other side of the Loch to cooperate when suddenly two cars came speeding past behind me - I could feel the force of the air as they whizzed by. I thought how lucky I was and reassessed my position, but I was as far in to the bank as I dared and well in from the road. I was safe - or so I thought.

I quietly went back to my business of photographing the swans when I heard another car coming, I wasn’t worried this time as I knew I was far enough off the road for it to not be a danger - how wrong can you be!

From nowhere I felt a hard projectile collide with the side of my head above my ear - I was shocked and stunned. The pain was immediate and throbbing. I still don’t know what it actually was that hit me - but it bloody hurt whatever it was. I checked for blood - NO BLOOD - SO I MUST BE FINE - at least that’s what I used to tell my kids when they were little.

My head was throbbing and tears began to roll down my face. I packed up my gear and started to walk up the road to where Vince was parked. He was out in the marsh photographing but when he saw that I was crying he was alarmed and came to see if I was okay. He worried that I might have been hit by a wing mirror or something, but I told him it felt more like a rock - or a bullet - the velocity was high. He offered to take me back to Portree to see a Doctor but I declined. The pain was starting to subside and there was no blood or bruising to be seen - so I guessed I wasn’t badly injured.

We pushed on but stopped the car just North of the Storr for Vince to do some droning whilst I rested in the car. But it wasn’t long before I was out of the car and back on my tripod capturing some of the amazing light from the sunset (around 4.00pm) and the layering effect it has on the hills and mountains around. Just beautiful.

A bit further on and again we stopped to capture the amazing light, and Vince did some more droning.

It was getting dark so time to head for home and commence the highly routine of chores. As least dinner was easy as I had prepared a steak pie the night before and just had to put it in the oven for an hour or so. It came out great - Vince even had a second helping and couldn’t stop talking about how delicious it was. I’m not known for my cooking so I am happy if it is even edible, but this was good!

When I got home I had a message from Ian Williams - he will teach me! Yeah. He gave me his phone number and I called to make arrangements - tomorrow at 1.30pm and Vince will show his wife Gill (Jill) how to drone! So exited!

After dinner we finished off the rest of Meet the Parents and were deciding if we should go to bed - when the Aurora Alert went off again on Vince's phone - after the other night's disappointment I wasn't as excited or keen - but Vince said lets just go closer up the hill.

So action stations again, warm jackets and boots on, grab the gear and out the door! It was cold, but at least not wet or windy at the top of the hill near Willie McLeod's. We took some shots but weren't really even sure if we were pointing in the right direction or not. After about an hour we decided that was enough and went back inside.

We sat and chatted for a while about what the best locations might be, looking at the map of Skye I thought near Duntulm looking out to sea. We were enjoying a hot drink when all of a sudden - another alert at 11.30pm. It was action stations for the second time tonight! Then into the car this time and off to Duntulm. We were there until around 1.00am and then called it quits. WE THINK WE GOT OUR FIRST AURORA! SEE THE GREEN AND PURPLE?

Back home I was straight into bed. Vince will get up for some Sunrise droning, but I said I'll sleep in!