deary deary me...

I've been very remiss....two weeks have gone by without a blog post, basically because of an unusual occurrence...two weeks work... together. Ahh the life of a freelancer, this at the moment isn't happening very often, so when it the work comes in things do go kind of haywire.

But while I've been working I've been wondering what to blog about...you see my work at the moment will send you all to sleep. So, instead I'm going to blog about Blip. Yes, my dear friends BugJemm and Life's Rich Tapestry (names hidden to protect the innocent), managed to drag me kicking and screaming over to Blipfoto nearly a month ago. I was very dubious, I subscribe to so many things I didn't need another place to visit, but they did tempt me with wild stories and chocolate (ok, that's a lie but if we lived nearer I know they would).

The idea is to post a picture a day, a week, or whenever you like. Its like a journal, your life told in pictures. See, there's another sticking point...I try to keep a diary every year, last around a month and then get bored. Once a week is about it for me, which is why I like the occasional blog. But, and here's the big but (no, not the American type, that has two Ts)...I do love my photography. Im not a brilliant photographer but I do enjoy taking lots of pictures. I have been taking lots of photos of clouds and stones and lichen recently for my photoshopping, but they dont make particularly rivetting pictures.

The upshot is...I have managed to post a picture a day for the last 30 days. I'm enjoying it immensely..I love carrying my camera around and wondering what I can capture next. In short. Im hooked.

So...here are a few photos from my Blipsite.....next week I'll try to blog something interesting :)

Hut

Orkney Ferry

Shoo Fly

Wheels

All photos on this blog (c) SJ Donaldson.

Pop along to my Blip to see more here or click on all the links in this blog. Go see the blogs of Those Who Will Not Be Named or pop along to Blip photo's main page and join up yourself :)

Note: I cannot be held responsible for any new addictions (although this one is actually fun).

about Caithness

Ok , it dawned on me when Christina commented on a posting that many of you will probably know very little about Caithness. Hell…when I moved up here I realised a lot of true born Scots know little about the County. It’s the lowlands beyond the Highlands, neither one thing nor the other. So…here’s a little potted tour (kind of)

Map of Caithness from Calder's History - an old book of the County

Caithness is at the very top of Scotland…all those idiots brave people who cycle, run or walk backwards to John O’Groats are coming to Caithness. Go any further North on the British Mainland and you end up in the sea. Although contrary to popular believe, it is actually Dunnet head that is the most northerly place on the Mainland…not John O’Groats.

There you go...Dunnet Head seen from my garden (its the cliff in the background, Thurso is the town you can see)

There are two roads in…yes TWO. One, the A9 goes up the east coast and is where most of the traffic comes, and the other goes up the West…and is a lot wilder. Although you go through some pretty spectacular scenery to get here, once you reach Caithness it is undulating rather than hilly, can be quite bleak and is bloody windy.

Dunnet beach seen from Castletown Harbour (the beach is brilliant and massive)

Here's the beach from the other end

The place is brilliant if you like rugged scenery, wide open places, beaches that are fabulous, bird watching, hunting, shooting and fishing. I honestly don’t understand how the place isn’t more well-known…but unlike Orkney, we are run by the Highland Council...who seem to think that the world ends at Inverness.

The scenery on the way into town from my humble abode looking inland

Oh, and if you like shopping…don’t bother.

However, there are loads of artists up here and, as mentioned in a previous post, there’s a world class glass-studio. In fact, there’s a thriving community of artists, performers, writers, craftsmen and women as well as a population that is extremely friendly and welcoming….but like Brigadoon we’re rarely seen or heard.

Down by Thurso River in the summer

We have castles too….the Queen Mother made her home here in the Castle of Mey, Keiss castle here is a ruin, but there’s one further up the coast that’s still lived in. Ackergill Tower is a posh hotel which is more of a home from home that you can hire, and we have loads of old ruined ones too.

Keiss Castle, taken by me donkeys years ago

Oh, and I forgot surfing. It’s one of the top international spots for surfers. Yes, they really rate the waves, even if the water is bloody freezing!

I’m sure I’ve left some interesting snippets out…I may remember them and post another day. But for now that’s your lot.

Oh yes, we have forests too...now this was taken by an old Pictish house...rain/dust droplets or "orbs", you decide!

If you want to see some more photos I put some up on my website gallery years ago, but as they’re on another computer you’re best viewing them here: http://www.caithnessroots.co.uk/gallery.htm

So…any questions, fire away