The Moors and The Moon

With my friend on Dartmoor

As I'm sure everyone is already aware, September 28th (UK time) was both a super Harvest moon and a total lunar eclipse, which are event that won't occur again together for another 30 years! Due to this, my friend, my mother and I decided to spend the early hours of the morning out on Dartmoor, where there is very little light pollution and hardly any buildings to obstruct the view. 

Mist particles swirling in the wind.

We got there at around 1am and, although it was rather overcast, the wind was whipping the clouds and mist about rapidly enough that it was still possible to view the eclipse.

My friend is dazed by the flash, whilst I gaze at the Moon.

At around 2:30am, the temperature began to drop and so my mother and my friend went to find a sheltered spot to make some soup to keep us warm, whilst I looked after our things. 

Although I have to admit that I did get a little bit distracted and went clambering around on some rocks  in the dark for a while! It was so peaceful sitting up there.

These are higher than they seem.

4:30am approached and it was time to leave, so we packed up and headed back. However, we did stop along the way to have one last look at the Moon and I managed to take one, very poor photograph of it in its rusty, hidden state:

The Super Harvest Moon Eclipse.

However, I wasn't too disappointed, because I got to see it with my eyes and had a wonderful night as well. There are some stunning photographs and time-lapse videos available elsewhere online though, should you want to see them! ;D

On the Moor...

A wind-battered tree and its reflection in a pool of rainwater.

Yesterday, I went to Haytor on Dartmoor with my mother; despite the cold, wind and rain, I was, as always, amazed by its stunning natural beauty. Dartmoor and Exmoor are two of my favourite places, so it's always a pleasure to visit them!

Just to put the size of the rocks in perspective, here's a shot of my mother (circled in green) standing near them) and one of me being weird next to some of the others:

Here are a few more photos from the outing as well:

100 Happy Days: Day 24 - Sunset on Dartmoor

Today's 100 Happy Days photo is one I took during the twilight hours tonight, at a location near Haytor, Dartmoor. There was intermittent rain and sunshine, which created a dramatic skyscape of dark rain clouds & an orange sunset, with brilliant sunshine & blue sky above. The whole of Dartmoor is such a spectacularly stunning area and I adore it! The people I went with and I took the photos below a little earlier in the evening (I'm the one in the black brocade coat and red tights, just in case you were wondering):