If you own a GPS

You will need

• A camera obviously, any digital will do. I’m currently using a Canon EOS 400D
• Said GPS unit, again any unit will do. I have done this with both the Garmin Etrex and the Garmin 60CSx
• Access to a computer and the Internet, obviously, more specifically to certain on-line tools and open-source software.

The method

1. Go for a hike somewhere in the wilderness with your GPS activated and recording a track-log
2. Take some beautiful photos.
3. Upload said photos to your flickr account.
4. Download you track-log from your GPS unit in .gpx format. You will need some kind of cable to access the data on your unit. If you don’t have one you can buy them on-line, so go ask Google. If your unit doesn’t store track-logs in this format you can use GPSBabel which is open source freeware or the on-line version at GPS Visualiser, to convert any GPS data you may have into the required format.
5. Upload this .gpx file to the GPSTagr service and follow the 3 easy steps to geotag your photos. Really the instructions are very simple, even my parents could follow them and they are serious technophobes.
6. That’s it you are done. Click on the view on flickr map link on the final page of the GPSTagr service and admire your photos positioned on the map, using data from your GPS unit.
7. You can also view your track-log in Google earth and Google maps. GPS Visualizers Google earth converter tool can be used. This form will import your GPS data file, or plain-text data (tab-delimited or CSV), and create a KML file that you can view in the Google Earth application. I use GPS Trackmaker which will open your GPX data file directly in both Google maps and Google earth.

The walk itself

• The track-log as seen on Google maps
• The track-log as viewed on Google earth (via Google earth forums, click the link to view on Google earth if you have it installed)

The photos taken on the walk

• All photos taken on the walk displayed on my flickr map
• Photos taken on a part of the walk ( Carn) displayed on flickr places
• Photos taken on a different walk, just so you get the idea!
• Photos taken on a Causeway Coastal Walk
• Photos taken on a hike in the mournes
• Photos taken on a hike around Rathlin Island May 2008

If you do not own a GPS

You will need

• A camera obviously, any digital will do.
• Access to a computer and the Internet, obviously, more specifically to certain on-line tools and open-source software.

The method

1. Go for a hike somewhere not in the wilderness and take a note of the address or postcode where you are.
2. Take some beautiful photos
3. Upload said photos to your flickr account
4. Using one of these services, Input from GPS coordinates or Input from postcode or address obtain some geo codes to add as machine tags to your flick photo.
5. Enter the resulting latitude and longitude data in the following format [geo:lat=47.620628, geo:long=-122.349329]
6. Here is an example of one of my photos with geo machine tags
   

That’s it. Have fun. I hope this was useful. If you need any more pointers or have any questions feel free to leave a comment.

UPDATE

I have noticed on the bottom of my flickr photo page where it says, subscribe to waveneyavenue’s photos, there are options for geofeed and KML (google earth file) . I assume this will happen to you too if you geotag your photos using either of these methods.

Subscribe to waveneyavenue’s photos – Latest | geoFeed | KML

The photos taken on a different walk

Another walk I have geotagged

Anyway I have not turned into a wild flower spotter, but these flowers made for some nice photos. Z, G and I all went on a camping trip to Rathlin last weekend. We braved the elements and slept in a tent through a force 7 gale as it was battered and shaken, coupled to which the tent was pitched on a slope…doh. mental note always remember to take the time to check the tent is on smooth level ground. the basics of camp management, camping 101, how foolish can you get?

In truth we were tired and the weather was starting to take a turn for the worse so we rushed and well paid the penalty. Anyway all was well the following morning and with some creaking bones we both enjoyed the finest eggs i have tasted in quiet some time, all cooked in a Trangia Stove, aghh the good old days. Then off we went on our 9 mile hike to Bull Point bird Sanctuary and back. We saw some puffins that had just arrived a few days before and had started making theoir burrows. I also saw, Razorbills, Kittywakes, Fulmars and Gillamots all nesting and a Raven chomping on a dead kittywake, oh the horrors of predation, ain’t mother nature a bitch!

For now I couldn’t resist cross posting from flickr and choose this photo taken in “Central de Abastos” on the last day of ur holiday. We were dandering around the city buying some last minute chocolate, mezcal and other goodies before our flight. We also took the opportunity to to do some photography, some of wich can be found in my flickr.

These likely lads had scoped me snapping away and in a way it seems only they copuld, indicated that theywould like me to take a photo of their stall. Global marketing?? I think not. Anyway I’m sure they never thought their mugshots would end up online. Say cheese boys!

Click to Play

Another successful ascent of Slieve Donard and this time we were rewarded with a clear day and a wonderful view. Photos available as always at flickr

With the bank holiday upon us it was decided that despite the unfavourable weather forecast it was time to try out the new tent. So we loaded up the car with enough stuff to keep us going for days and set off to our destination to find a suitable camping site. On arrival we did a quick reconnoitre for suitable sites and although our prefered spot was taken we found what on reflection was an even better site overlooking Murlough Bay , sheltered from the sea breeze and with good cover from trees

Fire with no matches

There was evidence that someone had been here recently in the form of a ring of stones and some ash. Despite the fact that I had hoped to make camp from scratch it was decided that it would be better to minimalise our impact on the area by reusing the non bush-friendly fire site. I say unfriendly simply because the previous users had not cleaned up the fire after themselves, most likely through lack of knowledge rather than any real intent. Proper etiquette dictates that the fire should be dismantled and scattered after use, ensuring it is out first of course. It also champtions the idea of preparing the site first to reduce the damage to the ground, wether by digging up the top layer of sod, or maybe building on a platform.

In any case I did get my ‘bushcraft kick’ by managing to light the fire without the use of conventional methods (lighter, matches) I used the spark method, striking a fire iron onto some tinder, in this case birch bark, and only because of the damp conditions and our increasing hunger pangs, some cotton wool teased apart. I had only one brief set back, when some of the kindling put the fire out (shredded cardboard is not recommended), but a few more strikes and we were back on track. We came prepared bringing our own firewood, not very ‘bush’, but it was wet and we were hungry.

Bush tucker

A fine menu was created, fresh whole trout cooked with lime, chili and coriander in foil on the open fire. Meanwhile we had some rice cooking with cloves and cinamon in the trangia stove (meths burner) and some oyster mushrooms frying on top (trangia are a handy implement to take on any camping trip) and finally some fruit bread dough, spread on a board, fashioned earlier that day from sone scraps of wood, beside the fire. With the exception of the bread it was a culinery success, almost topped by the mushroom omelete and cheese bread thrown together for breakfast. As for the bread its back to the bread board! I think the dough was fine, perhaps it was just the fault of the board which caught on fire at one point!

A fine time had by one and all

We all three had a great time, Gracie enjoyed racing around and even had a run in with a deer! She particularly enjoyed getting cosy in the tent beside her two pack buddies, and in true Gracie fashion managed to get herself snug inside Zoes Sleeping bag even though she had her own.

One great thing about the trip, not a computer in sight!

Diving at Skellig Michael and the Blaskets

Well there where 2 main highlights from the diving this year. Firstly managing to get some footage of the elusive sunfish video of sunfish. Unfortunately he got spooked and took off to the depths before I could get up along side him. Secondly after 3 years trying I eventually managed to get a dive at the Skelligs I was not disappointed. I won’t write in detail about it here. There is a short entry about the dive over at northantrimdiving and of course some photos on flickr.

Sponsored walks and other walks

Tuesday 11th we did our 10+ mile walk with Gracie and Macy, from the beach at Smerwick to Seanachoill via Ballydavid taking in some lovely scenery en route particularly along the cliff paths. The weather was a mixture of gusting winds, rain and sunshine sort of ideal, but we were all exhausted by the time we got back. No matter we managed to help S on her way to raising the funds she needed for her stay at an AIDS orphange in Nairobi

We didn’t make it up Mount Brandon this year, but we did take in some more views around Slea head and did a mini hike in this area, neither did we make it out to the Blaskets but instead managed a selection of beach walks.

Gracie’s folks

On the sponsered walk we met G’s grandmother on her mothers side, check my flickr for photos,while on another day spent half an hour with her dad and brother over at the Welsh contingents. Given more time she would have settled down with them all as it was she was a bit submissive to start with, but eventually she was racing around with her big brother like they had never been apart. She didn’t get long enough with the grandmother and really there was no connection with her in terms of having met before. She had to take our word for it, unless these things are built in instinctively? Pictures of course at flickr

Food glorious food

Fine food was had every day, including chickpea summer salad, pizza(divine) Trout and Potatoes (Way to go J) , Black Sole and Haddock(?) ., Roast Lamb, there was the barbeque and a few great pasta dishes including our aubergine surprise. Frys and healthy fayre too. I really am enjoying my food these days, particularly when it is of the healthy variety.

Whittling

Following my gruesome accident earlier in the year, almost fully recovered now, although still stiff for guitar playing, you’ll be pleased to here I finally climbed back on the horse so to speak and whittled my first Spoon. I have not included a photograph because, well because it is pretty crap actually. I blame the piece of wood being slightly too thin and not having a crook knife to properly carve out the actual spoon part. Anyway I’m now back on track with the whittling. Mental note to self “Remember to keep hand behind knife – NO exceptions”. I was bequithed some nice pieces of wood, thanks T, and hope to source some more from B&M, so hopefully there will eventually be some nice pieces to show off.

For all of you reading every eight letter and subtracting one on every third iteration, forget it, go make a cup of tea and relax there is no message, I was simply looking for an alternative for those not interested in my big 5 list and it was the first thing I thought of. So sorry I’ll not do it again, but didn’t you enjoy the post? ;)

We really did enjoy our mexican holiday (whoa an intersite link, way to go Dave) and are often found trying to relive some memories of our short time there. Another trip is in the planning but only on the proviso that we can both speak enough Spanish to get by. By that I mean more than saying hello and thank-you, I mean being able to converse at a basic level without resorting to my most used phrase on the trip “Hablas usted Ingles” which as we all know has nothing to do with the greasy, medallion wearing singer, and simply means, “Do you speak English” and in my mind translates as ” Hi I don’t respect you or your country and am just another tourist who can’t be bothered to try and learn a little of your language so we can converse in a friendly manner in your native tongue” ( of course to be pedantic I could argue that I would need to learn native south American Indian languages, but most of them speak Spanish too)

Anyone else out there enjoying themed nights or weekends, in terms of food, drink and activities? Do share. Now is the perfect opportunity to leave a comment.

Z and I had a great valentine weekend culminating in a delicious meal at the Blackstone Restaurant, Ballymena. In my opinion one of the finest eating establishments in the borough. What did we have? Thai spiced fish cakes with home made sweet chilli sauce and Wild mushroom and garden pea risotto with smoked maple cured bacon & parmesan (outstanding) Followed by Roast Barbary duck breast with a cabernet sauvignon and agen prune sauce with celeriac mash and Pan fried rib eye steak with provencal tomatoes, dauphinoise potatoes and parsley and shallot butter. Then despite begining to feel bloated we tucked into Sticky toffee pudding with caramel sauce and Vanila ice-cream and Fresh Fruit pavlova. All washed down with a bottle of Pedro Negro, a good Chilean Red. Reminded me of my Chilean Cave Diving Guide in Mexico..his name was Piedro.

The weekend was spent in Mourne, staying in a very pleasant settlement of cottages called Hanna’s Close in Killkeel, Co Down. very comfortable and I would recommend to anyone. Some pictures amongst this lot. The dogs and us had a great time hiking through the mountains ascending both “the Windy Gap” and “Hare’s Gap”. For those of you who know the area, we also hiked along the ‘Brandy Pad’ which was an old smuggling route for moving stuff up country. Last time I walked the trail I was about 11 years old and no I wasn’t moving dodgy gear.