Quiraing

This morning we left at 6.00am to drive to the Qiraing to be there in time for sunrise - not to photograph the sun rising but rather the light it casts onto the mountains of the Quiraing. When I got out the car at the car park I could not believe how strong and freezing cold the wind was, it was bitter! We set off the lower path but then instead of stopping where most people usually take photos, we continued around the corner of the mountain - this involved a small but tricky section where there was a gully with a small waterfall that you had to cross - there was no water in the waterfall but ice on the rocks, so we had to take off our camera backpacks and pass them along to Guy who had bounded through this part with no problem, and then ever so slowly climb down the icy bit and up again on the other side. I found it terrifying! This image is the result as that warm morning light shone onto the mountains.

On the way back to the house for a late breakfast we stopped to take photos of this little tree in the hazy sunlight, see extra. Then back to the house for a midday brunch. We had some down time after brunch so I used the opportunity to wash my hair, there has literally been no time to wash and dry my hair - it’s a girl thing, men will think it takes 5 minutes but when you have to dry it it takes us women much longer!

We spent the afternoon at Talisker beach photographing the incoming waves against the rocks, waiting for the sunset. With no clouds in the sky the sunset was nothing special, just a little colour in the sky until it all disappeared. We headed back to the house for supper, which was spaghetti bolognaise.

Tomorrow is a very early start - 4.30am alarm - as we are climbing up the Old Man of Storr before sunrise. Apparently it is very steep and will take about 2 hours, which won't be easy with the heavy camera backpacks on our backs. There are only three of us on this workshop and one of the guests is not coming tomorrow as he says it will be too much for him. I am not sure how I will cope but I will find out tomorrow!