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 22 - Canoeing by Moonlight

This evening I went on a wonderful canoe trip as part of a a group organised by Winding River Canoe. When we first set out, it was still light and we paddled up the river for about an hour, taking in the wildlife and gorgeous natural environment along the way. We then went ashore and collected wood for the campfire, around which we ate soup and listened to music & stories.

It soon got dark and we paddled back along the river by moonlight, watching bats swoop down to the river to drink and catch insects. It was a fantastic experience! I didn't take many photos, because I was quite busy with other things, so for today's 100 Happy Days picture, above is the moon in all its dazzling beauty.

100 Happy Days: Day 20 - Marazion & St. Michael's Mount

For the 20th day of my 100 Happy Days I took a trip to St. Michael's Mount in Marazion, Cornwall. It was a gloriously calm and bright day, which transformed the water into a sparkling blanket of turquoise. When the tide is out, a path that runs all the way to the island appears and it's possible to walk across. However, the tide was in when I arrived and so the only option was to travel there by boat. I was rather glad that this was the case though, as it made the whole experience feel more like a holiday - haha!

100 Happy Days: Day 18 - The Last Lion

Percival

The first time I traveled across the Channel to France was via Dover, aboard a ferry. I spent most of the journey above deck, sitting with friends and watching the last portions of land leave sight before being replaced with a deep, turquoise blue. Below deck there was a cinema, restaurant, resting facilities, and various small shops and, on a wander around this lower floor, I happened upon a solitary little lion, sitting alone in a box that was clearly once full of other toys. His head was slumped downwards, his bow was crooked, and he looked thoroughly depressed. So I bought him, named him Percival, and he returned home with me after my trip. As you can see from today's photo, he continues to live here, but he looks much happier now - quite fitting for the 100 Happy Days really!