Islay and Jura highlights....

Well Steve and Tom don't seem to be having too bad a time! Here are some of the highlights so far, I'll blog individual walks etc when they get back with all the pics .....

 

Carn Llidi - a clearing storm.

Although I'm happy painting the way I do I'd still like to loosen up - so here was an attempt to do this - a quick way of painting, but heavy on the paint!

Low Force to High Force - Teesdale - a spectacular summer flora.

A very pleasant walk alongside the River Tees. Driving over from Alston to Teesdale the melancholy thistle stands were spectacular to say the least! Down in the dale the summer flowers were out and the bank sides spectacular. An abundance of meadowsweet, red clover, harebells, greater burnet, alpine bistort, ragged robin, shrubby cinquefoil, devil's bit scabious, bog asphodel, common rockrose and betony ...and more.

Left: above High Force and High Force
Right: Low Force and between High and Low Force.

Meadow, bog asphodel, harebell, juniper berries, betony and greater burnet.

Mountain pansies ....past their best but I can never resist them! 

Field sketch above High Force.

Across Loch Gorm, Islay

Loch Gorm can look very blue in the right light....this was one of those days, with a storm clearing behind 'The Opera House'.

Gowk Bank NNR, Gilsland

A quick afternoon out at Gowk Bank. This little  haymeadow is host to over 185 plant species and is one of the most diverse in northern England. The  populations of eye-bright is one of the largest in the UK.

Gowk Bank and the River Irthing.

Tway blade; bog asphodel; melancholy thistle; ragged robin: meadow sweet.
Eye-bright; large patches of eye-bright; fragrant orchid.

Ringlet and chimney sweeper moth.

Green-veined white.

South Solway Mosses NNR and Campfield Marsh nature reserve.

We left one car at North Plain farm and drove another to the end of the lane up to Rogersceugh farm. A lovely walk across two spectacular reserves.

The plants and wildlife of the mosses.

Reflections in the water. 

Across to Skiddaw.

From beyond Gortantoid and the Doodilmore river towards Ruhba Bolsa on Islay.

The largest painting I've ever done at 36" x 48" - an acrylic. I can't have something that big hanging around to dry in the house, so it couldn't be an oil!