the start of a family holiday to Scotland + the furthest north I’ve ever driven in Britain + the longest I’ve ever driven in Britain (10 hours!!!) + counting down as we crossed the border 3-2-1, Scotland + a Twister and Mini Cheddars for dinner, good parenting! + stopping at the foot of the Cairngorms to have a wee by the side of the road + waking up to the calls of a rooster, way too early I might add + getting out for my first run in a week and enjoying every minute of it + breathing in fresh mountain air, exploring new running routes, meeting some cool cows
traveling to Inverness for lunch and a stroll along the River Ness
enjoying the bright and sunny afternoon by visiting the Culloden Battlefield and soaking in Scottish history
standing on the roof of the car to photograph the sunset over the mountains + the most beautiful moon I’ve seen in ages, low and glowing in the sky as wisps of clouds float by
+++++
[WEEKENDING WITH AMANDA] – how was yours?
I couldn’t resist. Highclere Castle, familiar to most as Downton Abbey, is just a 30 minute drive down the road. And as a huge fan of the show, I felt like I’d surely be letting the universe down if I failed to get there for a visit.
It was back in February when I booked the tickets for our visit, the current owners of Highclere clearly making the most of their home’s recent fame. Highclere is a private residence and only open to the public in a limited fashion.
And it was worth the trip. The fact that Downton exists and that so many of us have become engrossed in its stories only serves to make Highclere come alive. As you walk through its corridors and peek in its bedrooms you can easily imagine the lives and dramas that unfolded within its walls.
As we drove around the winding roads leaving the estate, we passed two vintage cars of the Downton era as they headed in the other direction and back toward the castle. And instantly, my mind raced to those horrible events that took place in the last moments of Season 3. Cousin Matthew, look out!!! Oh, it’s just too much.
A couple of summers ago, my little man and I took a trip to Cotswold Lavender. In July when the fields are in full bloom, it is a sight to see and smell, the ground covered in purple as far as the eye can see. And with a few deep breaths you can feel the relaxing healing power of lavender fill your lungs.
Always on the hunt for good photo locations, my friend, and fellow photographer, Laura and I decided to make the journey to Cotswold Lavender again this summer. We thought we’d picked a good day when the blooms would be at their peak and just before the harvest. Of course, British Summer time had other plans.
We’d barely had time to walk into the lavender fields when the dark clouds overhead erupted into heavy showers. Anyone who photographs kids knows that you’ve got to work fast, their attention spans and willingness to cooperate are typically short-lived. So in the end this meant lots of shots of kids huddled under umbrellas, not exactly the vision I had in mind.
But a few raindrops didn’t spoil our fun and after breathing in all those lovely aromas, I couldn’t help but walk away feeling a little more calm, relaxed, and with a smile on my face.
On Sunday afternoon, I had the pleasure of joining Susannah, Xanthe and a group fellow photographers on a photo walk around London. It was so fun to explore a little corner of London that I’d never even known existed, Barbican. It’s full of interesting architecture and as a group we couldn’t help but drool over all the leading lines and reflections. The photo opportunities were endless.
I most enjoyed meeting and walking around with like-minded souls. Kindred spirits who were also stopping every few feet to snap photos and compose shots. People who share a passion for documenting this life and who totally get the feet shots.
Can’t wait for the next one!
