Gold and Purple | August Photo Journal

The month when the hills turn purple, I think this year was the best display of heather I have seen in a long while. The mountains and moors were beautiful.

One morning, while staying at Brochan’s house, I woke early to walk Floss. I really didn’t want to get up when my alarm went off at 5am, but I dragged myself out of bed and sipped on a coffee while trying to wake up. Brochan lives right at the foot of the Preselis, they aren’t large mountains but there is something magical about them. The rocks are bluestone and when broken open they reveal a deep colour, twinkling with pale flecks like the night sky. Some of these stones were transported all the way to Wiltshire to contribute to Stonehenge, so I guess others felt the magic on the Preselis also.

Anyway once I was out I was so grateful I had made myself get up! Mist hung around the hills, clinging to the rocks and peaks and it was a beautifully clear morning of orange light. I almost ran up the hill to get to the top and see the mist from above, only to find I walked right into the thick of it and couldn’t see anything for a time. Dew clung to everything, glistening like jewels in the light as I walked. By the time Floss and I got right to the top it had cleared a little, so we sat and just gazed at the cloud still laying in the valleys below.

Golden Light and Heather Hills

Due to the endless sunny mornings the light has been quite incredible this August, most mornings I woke to find leaves and grasses bathed in gold. By the time the rain arrived I was almost relieved that I could sleep in without feeling like I was going to miss the beautiful light!