Canada Part 5: To Whistler or Not to Whistler
The drive to Horseshoe bay for breakfast was starting to feel like a daily commute! This was the fourth time we'd stopped here during our ten day trip, but this time we were getting a diner breakfast. This was something I'd been craving since setting off from Heathrow, filter coffee brought to your table and topped up every time you mug was half full, and big thick pancakes smothered in butter and maple syrup and crispy bacon. Another big tick off the holiday wishlist!
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Top 10 Tips for Awesome Autumn Photos
It's one of the best times of year to get out and take some photographs. I thought I'd share some tips to help you capture some awesome autumnal magic...Read more
Introducing, Walking Photographer Tours...
I'm very excited to introduce my newest venture: Walking Photographer Tours.
This is a project that aims to help people improve their photographic and creative skills in an enjoyable and relaxed environment. There are many desired outcomes from the various courses, tours and education workshops including helping people connect and re-imagine their local environment.
Walking Photographer Tours will introduce participants of all ages and backgrounds to an activity that is beneficial for the mind, body and soul. They will be provided with skills and experience that will spark a lifetime's enthusiasm for getting creative outdoors!
Want to attend a workshop free of charge?
Walking Photographer Tours is offering 4 people the chance to attend one of two workshops free of charge...
Part 4: Another Rainy Forecast for Gambier Island
Another predawn start and another boat trip to another island with another bunch of Burts!
Helen, Jenn, Sam (who is actually a 'Drove' rather than a 'Burt') had invited us to stay at the family cabin on Gambier Island. Joining us on Gambier was Jenn and Sam's gorgeous and highly entertaining pup called Bella. After a quick coffee and breakfast wrap we all piled onto the back of a smallish boat that ferried us over to the island.
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Part 3: Honeymoon fraudsters attempt to burn down hotel
We were sorry to leave Tofino; a place that had delivered on every front... Except for the whales! But all good things must come to an end and there were more adventures to be had.
We drove to Nanaimo where Tony headed home to Vancouver and we caught the bus further down the Island to Victoria.
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Canada Part 2: To Tofino...
A pre-dawn start along with a proud introduction into the wonders of a Vancouver cinnamon bun at the ferry terminal and we were on our way to Tofino, Vancouver Island. Our first essential stop on the Island was in Coombs for the famous Goats on the Roof Cafe. This is a cafe / mini market that (as you may have already guessed) has goats on the roof! Having stocked up on a number of hand made Pepperoni sticks and feasted on giant ice cream from possibly the world's best ice cream parlour, we were back on the road.
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Canada Part 1: A Wet Start
Until CB and I wed, the furthest I had traveled to visit relatives was a thirty odd minute drive to Southall. Now that I am married, I appear to have inherited a family that are scattered across the globe. I genuinely believe in our first year of marriage (which actually isn't a year until December) I have already travelled more distance visiting relatives than I have in a lifetime prior! Which brings me to our latest visit. Uncle Tony, Liane and cousin Jenn, some 4700 miles away (or 7600KM if you don't speak English) in Vancouver.
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Wharfedale on the Wing
The swifts have departed to undertake their epic journey to Africa, and the Martins and Swallows that remain won't be too far behind. Summer is inevitably coming to a close, but there is still plenty going on and with the warm weather still here we may just get a little longer to appreciate some of our summer specialists.
This summer I found myself getting more and more fascinated by the world of butterflies. It started when I first noticed orange tips back in May by Sun Lane Nature Reserve. Then I'd notice the odd Speckled Wood near the weir and stepping stones. Before I knew it I was actively walking around Burley in Wharfedale with my butterfly goggles on! (Looking for butterflies that is, not literally wearing goggles with butterflies on!)
Over the course of the summer I have spotted: Large Whites, Orange Tips, Peacocks, Gatekeepers, Speckled Woods, Commas, Meadow Browns, Ringlets, Tortoise Shells, Small Heaths, a Holly Blue and not to mention several others I haven't been able to identify.
This summer I set myself a challenge to see a Brimstone, it wasn't until last week that I finally spotted one at Sun Lane. Unfortunately the closest I've come to getting a photograph is a picture of the Reserve notice board!
Do You Separate Your Whites?
White butterflies are the most common type of butterfly to be seen over the summer months. Most sightings of a white butterfly result in them being labelled as a Cabbage White. But the UK has 4 main species of white butterfly as well as several less common ones. These include the Large White, Small White, Orange Tip and Green Veined White. Less common species include Wood White and Cryptic Wood White as well as rare migrants such as the Black-veined White and Bath White. So next time you see a plain old white butterfly why not try and get a closer look... You might be surprised.
There are some great other winged creatures to spotted around Burley: dragonflies, Damsel Flies and a wide variety bees and hover flies. They're not going to be around for much more of 2013 so get out and enjoy them while you can!
Here are some photos from my own sightings of winged creatures, all taken around Burley in Wharfedale over the last couple of months...
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A Day in Malham isn't Enough!
This week the National Trust revealed a concerning set of statistics. In recent surveys they discovered that 17% of people asked never walk more than 500 metres from their car and 1 in 4 people walk less than 5 miles in a month.
These statistics were announced in conjunction with the launch of their annual Walking Festival: 'The Great British Walk'. They also revealed a list of top ten secret trails that can only be accessed by foot.
One of the places featured on this list is Malham Tarn, which we happened to visit just a few weeks ago.
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Head Turning Scarecrows
A slight distraction from the Wharfedale wildlife this week as my head has been turned by scarecrows, dogs and home grown veg!
Last week, Burley in Wharfedale swelled with people and pride as crowds descended from all around to partake in our week long summer festival!
Much to our annoyance, there was a great deal Mrs Walking Photographer and I missed. This couldn't be helped, but so impressive was the little that we did see, we'll be keeping the entire week free for 2014!
Historic walks, vintage car show, Céilidh and a beer festival are just a few of the cool events that we missed. Here are some glimpses of what we did get to see:
Opening the week of festivities was the Burley Dog Show. Kids being dragged around by dogs half their size is always entertaining!
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The 2013 Scarecrow competition saw loads of amazing scarecrows all over the village... some were even interactive, the bar has definitely been raised for 2014!
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I've always been fascinated by allotments so I couldn't pass up an opportunity to go have a nosy...
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