A heavy mist has descended on Dumfries turning the ancient bridges picturesquely monochromatic. The mist gradually ebbs and flows in opacity, so I wait a while with the camera for the optimum moment of abstraction. A mischievous lad approaches me by the river and with a flash of his gold teeth points to the bridge and tells me “Aye under there that’s where the wee otters are”.
I have 20km of main road walking in the mist to go. This is not fun. I’ve never felt the need to wear a head torch in the daytime before. As the fog gets thicker I can’t see much beyond my feet, but at least I learn that Irn Bru tops the leaderboard as the roadside litter of choice in Scotland.
Scottish word of the day:
Dreich – Wet, dull, gloomy, dismal, dreary or any combination of these. Scottish weather at its most miserable.
Amazing photos as ever. That tree looks like a microscopic image of nerves
thanks, yes it does!
I’ve mentioned to a few people your as-it-is style of photography, and will now be trying *not* to avoid including telegraph poles, etc. in my photographs.
interesting you should notice that as I nearly rejected the image due to the telegraph pole! In the end, I thought it has a greater sense of place so I included it especially as there is no shortage of misty tree photos out there
I wonder if it will seem to you, as it did to me, that the lower reaches of rivers in D&G do sometimes seem to be much bigger than their settings in flat countryside would lead us to expect. I suppose it’s just that they’ve travelled a long way to get there, but on several occasions they’ve surprised me all the same.
yes I’ve noticed that too
Some nice images of Dumfries as I have often seen it! The Weir on the River Nith is known locally as the caul and the river is tidal up to this point. Under ideal conditions a tidal bore can be seen approaching the upper reaches of the river.
I hope you don’t have too many dreich days!
Ah, I’d heard about the caul but didn’t know that’s what it referred to – thanks! I live near the Severn so I like a good tidal bore!
The “Sweetheart Abbey” has such personality. Great job!
amazing story too https://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/newabbey/sweetheartabbey/index.html