Harris and Lewis

Photo: Mountains of Isle of Harris rise across the little Minch as seen from Isle of Skye, Scotland

I’m making the 11 hour drive up to Uig, Isle of Skye today, and then catching the ferry out to the Isles of Harris and Lewis.  While I’ve been to Skye numerous times in the past years, my last visit to the Outer Hebrides was in October 2003.  I had intended to go last year at this time, but I ended up elsewhere.  I only have a week, but I’m sure I’ll get my fill of stormy windswept beaches to last me for the next few months.  Hopefully it doesn’t rain the whole time, as it very well could, but it’s a risk worth taking.

Sgwd Clun-Gwyn Waterfall

Sgwd Clun-Gwyn waterfall

Photo: Sgwd Clun-Gwyn waterfall, river Mellte, near Ystradfellte, Brecon Beacons national park, Wales

The river Mellte near Ystradfellte forms part of  ‘waterfall country’ on the southern parts of the Brecon Beacons national park.  I’ve never spent much time around here as I’d rather head up into the hills or go climbing, but a particularly bleak Autumn day on Monday seemed like a good time to go check things out.  I had seen some smaller waterfalls last week, but these are definitely more impressive.  A couple weeks back there were some heavy rains and flooding.  The high water line was clearly visible on the riverbank, would have been quite a sight to see the falls then.  Hopefully I’ll get down here another time or two as the autumn color progresses.

Sgwd Clun-Gwyn waterfall

Maen Llia

Maen Llia standing stone, Brecon Beacons national park, Wales

Photo: Maen Llia standing stone, Brecon Beacons national park, Wales

It’s been on my mind lately to try and make some portrait style photos of some of the standing stones in the Brecon Beacons region.  Last night was my first attempt at this, using a single Nikon SB-800 as an off camera flash and the gigantic Maen Llia stone as my model.  Unfortunately, and what seems to be my luck these last few months, it started raining after about 10 minutes, before the sky was dark enough to really create the photos that I wanted.    Hopefully I can make it back again in the next few weeks and have another try.

Also, if you read my blog by RSS feed, stop by and have a look.  I’ve made a few changes, the biggest of which will be larger images, now up to 950px wide.  Though if your monitor resolution is less than 1200px, it might look a bit funny, sorry…

Maen Llia standing stone, Brecon Beacons national park, Wales

Bunes Beach Camping – Lofoten Islands

Bunes Beach panoramic photo, Lofoten islands, Norway

Photo: Panoramic view of Bunes beach, Lofoten islands, Norway

Bunes Beach, Moskenesøya, Lofoten Islands, Norway

Bunes is one of the more scenic and isolated beaches on the Lofoten Islands.  Though unfortunately this isolation does not always mean the beach is uncrowded.  On a sunny summer day thick crowds of tourists will be waiting on the pier in Reine to catch the morning ferry over for the day. However, as afternoon approaches the crowds begin the walk back over the pass on their return to civilization.  Now the beach becomes empty and quiet, likely only a few groups of campers will remain and have the place to themselves.  Time is irrelevant in summer anyhow.  The sun will shine until late in the night when it finally passes behind the mountains to the north.

The beach is larger than it first appears.  From the end of the trail to the water is around 600-650 meters, while the beach is 750 meters across.  High, glacially carved cliffs surround the beach, the massive 602 meter west face of Helvetestinden being the most impressive.  The beach faces north-west and is a good place to catch a sunset from late summer to early autumn. Wander out to the cliffs on the left, past the single house, for the best view.  Storms can unfortunately leave sections of the beach rather covered in debris, particularly towards the back. Though on the bright side, a ready supply of driftwood can be found for evening campfires.

Neutral Density long exposure, Bunes beach, Moskenesoy, Lofoten islands, Norway

Photo: Daytime long exposure with 10 stop neutral density filter, Bunes beach, Lofoten islands, Norway

Neutral Density long exposure, Bunes beach, Moskenesoy, Lofoten islands, Norway

Photo: Daytime long exposure with 10 stop neutral density filter, Bunes beach, Lofoten islands, Norway

Bunes Beach Lofoten islands

camping at Bunes Beach, Lofoten islands, Norway

Photo: Summer camping at Bunes beach, Lofoten islands, Norway

Camping
The best camping is on the flat grassy dunes found at the back of the beach.  The area is large so even if some other groups are present, there is no feeling of crowding.  No supplies are available in Vindstad, so be sure to bring everything you would need for typical wilderness camping.  Fresh water can be collected via several waterfalls towards the back-left side of the beach.  A door-less drop toilet is on the side of the trail just before reaching the beach.

A note of caution should be made to the weather. The beach and camping areas are completely exposed to the north-west and any weather which my come from there.  And once the afternoon ferry leaves you are stuck there until the following morning, so be sure to check the forecast for the following days if planning on camping.  If bad weather does arrive, there are several large boulders on the Vindstad side of the pass that have enough room for 1-2 tents and should provide enough shelter from the wind, depending on the direction.

camping at Bunes Beach, Lofoten islands, Norway

Photo: Afternoon nap in the sun, Bunes beach, Lofoten islands, Norway

camping at Bunes Beach, Lofoten islands, Norway

Photo: Sunny summer afternoon at camp, Bunes beach, Lofoten islands, Norway

Bunes Beach, Lofoten islands, Norway

Photo: Toilet with a view, Bunes beach, Lofoten islands, Norway

Getting There
The easiest approach is to take the Ferry from Reine to the village of Vindstad.  From there follow the easy path through the village and towards the back of the Fjord.  After about 2 km the village will end at there will be a small trail on the left.  This should be marked with a sign saying ‘Bunes,’ or something thereabouts.  An easy and well worn trail leads over the small pass and down onto the beach.  Be sure to measure how long you’ll need to get back to catch the ferry on time, but 1 hr should be plenty for most people.

The ferry time schedule can be found here: CLICK HERE

Reine ferry boat in Fjord, Lofoten islands

Photo: Reine ferry arriving to pick up passengers in Vindstad

Reine ferry directions

Photo: Reine, showing locations of bus stop and Ferry port

Nidaros Cathedral

Nidaros Cathedral, Trondheim, Norway

Nidaros Cathedral, Trondheim, Norway.

I had 1.5 days to wander around Trondheim at the end of my Norway trip back in August.  Luckily I had some nice sunny weather as I wandered around the streets.

Nidaros Cathedral river reflection, Trondheim, Norway