Well hello there

[d w124]

Good to see you back Steve

 

[Marvin16x]

Lovely pictures!
I really have to take that trip through England / Scotland in 2013 ... this is exactly what I want to experience...

 

[C43AMG]

Welcome back Steve.

As usual i miss all the excitement, have been very busy so missed why you had to take a enforced holiday.

Great photo's Steve.

 

[st4]

Welcome back Steve.

As usual i miss all the excitement, have been very busy so missed why you had to take a enforced holiday.

Great photo's Steve.

Honestly, you've missed out on nothing. You've seen this thread so all is well

 

[IanA2]

Welcome back. Your photo-blogs of the homeland are as evocative as ever. Inveruglas is a magical place.

 

[st4]

Welcome back. Your photo-blogs of the homeland are as evocative as ever. Inveruglas is a magical place.

Inveraglas always seems still whenever I drive up there, its a good photostop. I keep meaning to call into the Drovers Inn or suggest it as a GTG, nice good and a great location for a bit of an explore later.

 

[Igurisu]

Welcome back Steve

 

[johnsco]

Apparently they need a blogger to write about food and touring, guess all they could do was ressurrect me...LOL

WELCOME BACK ... LAZARUS !!
:bannana:
GREAT PHOTOS.

 

[steve333]

I'd like to announce my return with a taster of what I have been doing when I have been away

On my day off last Thursday I decided to get up on my normal time for going to work...but not go to work...LOL...

I had intended for sometime to really explore the little Lochs on the A82 up through the majestic Glencoe section. This is my favourite place just to go, and drive, in the world....

However, that meaning going past one of my old photographic haunts in the Morning on Loch Lomond


DSC_0292 by [email protected], on Flickr

The jetty at Invergluss never disappoints, and it also gave me a chance to sort out my iPhone/iPod charging. Two apple devices, one charger. Not good innit...

All I had to do was work my way along the A82, slowly as it was icey and admire the views...


_DSC0635 by [email protected], on Flickr

I ain't kidding when I say you see this from the car as you drive along.


_DSC0641 by [email protected], on Flickr

Its a majestic and beautiful place as you wind up along the long sweeping sections of the 82 just passed Tyndrum...

The only issue with the 82 that the best bits to stop and take pictures have no laybys, so I drove on to a spot where I could park, so I could head back to the Lochins I wished to take pictures at.

The road also has some interesting bridges. I parked just passed here, can you guess where I am


DSC_0311 by [email protected], on Flickr

My ten min walk was worth it

DSC_0346 by [email protected], on Flickr

Cold...you bet


DSC_0325 by [email protected], on Flickr

But majestic and enchanting...


DSC_0348 by [email protected], on Flickr

Suitably cold I walked back to the car...

Further up the road I repeated the exercise but had to really improvise parking wise. Worth it, even for getting covered in mud


DSC_0352 by [email protected], on Flickr

Said swamp in there


_DSC0662 by [email protected], on Flickr

I could look at this all day...


DSC_0358 by [email protected], on Flickr

From here, its a five min drive to one of Scotlands most iconic hills. Buachaille Etive Mor and from here we take the little road down Glen Etive...


_DSC0683 by [email protected], on Flickr

Remember my "I cleaned my car and shoved some wax on thread". Well, even after the grime of Glencoe, she looks at one with the landscape in which she was made to explore the roads of. Stunning hill and backdrop for a stunning car.

Going down Glen Etive is like stepping back 50 years in time...

Check the old bike


_DSC0693 by [email protected], on Flickr

And these, where do you see these


_DSC0715 by [email protected], on Flickr

Life here stopped in 1980 but everyone kept on going....

No wonder....

DSC_0361 by [email protected], on Flickr
Its like set from the Disney Pixar film ice age down here. Whats weird is the sounds you here, I could hear the sheets of ice cracking, despite really being in the middle of nowhere, there is sounds, its eery though and very disconcerting...

This would be a good image to mention ice


_DSC0689 by [email protected], on Flickr

This road was not treated and needed to be treated with extreme care. I hit several sections where small streams cross the road had frozen, the car, despite being shod with winter tyres did slide. Thankfully doing 20mph meant the slide was slow, controllable and brief but even with winter tyres great care is needed when driving.

I'll leave you with this final image of Glen Etive to consider. Could this be any more Scottish if it tried...


_DSC0732 by [email protected], on Flickr

From here, it was a treck down back the way I came. Lovely drive and the C estate can take the few bends on the Glencoe road with enthusiasm. One observation from Glen Etive is how well damped the car is. The nose doesn't want to kiss the ground, whereas my old E class was floaty, then grazing the road, this car is just poised, balanced and controlled...

Two final images of Loch Lomond to allow you all to "reflect" on what I have shown you, and for you to reflect what you are depriving yourselves of seeing by not visiting my country


_DSC0742 by [email protected], on Flickr


_DSC0747 by [email protected], on Flickr

And what about the car?


_DSC0750 by [email protected], on Flickr

£25 I worked out to see some of the best of Scotland on a day out. Not only was it cheap, she was comfortable, fast (overtaking in this car isn't much slower than my E320 as 3rd takes you 50 to 80 without a change), agile and well damped. There is room for my cameras, tripods, snacks and I just love driving it.

So, the finest car available in the finest setting available, how do you beat that?

Welcome back,we've missed the pics!

 

[BlackC55]

Welcome back Steve.

 

[Rob77]

Welcome back Steve

 

[V12]

Didn't realise you'd left.

 

[trapperjohn]

Welcome back Steve. My computer has been tomdick and only just got it back from the repairers.

 

[martyz]

Good to see you back,great photo's as usual.

 

[st4]

Didn't realise you'd left.

I really wasn't gone long.

Only squeezed in three tours and 2 GTGs in my time away...

 

[Orwic]

Welcome back, and thanks for the images!


Orwic

 

[Londonscottish]

Welcome back Steve.

Another great tour, more amazing pictures.

 

[st4]

Welcome back Steve.

Another great tour, more amazing pictures.

You can't really go wrong with Rannoch Moor/Glen Coe. It's ace.

 

[kevinalpha]

One of my Christmas presents a teeshirt:

On the eighth day God created Mercedes.

Amazing pixs Gods own!

 

[LTD]

Amazing pixs Gods own!

Oh dear, you'll start the Yorkshire lads off on one ...