NikonGear'23

Travelogues => Future NG Events - and Location Reveries => Topic started by: Bjørn Rørslett on September 05, 2016, 13:54:02

Title: An NG Meet-up to the Orkney Islands in 2017?
Post by: Bjørn Rørslett on September 05, 2016, 13:54:02
I'm convinced - Dave, ponder an NG Meet-up on these islands ... would be a perfect venue besides being shooting locations and challenges new to most of us.
Title: Re: An NG Meet-up to the Orkney Islands in 2017?
Post by: Erik Lund on September 05, 2016, 14:19:45
Year 2017 - what is the best moth for a visit? Remembering the weather we had on isle of Lewis,,,
Title: Re: An NG Meet-up to the Orkney Islands in 2017?
Post by: David Paterson on September 05, 2016, 15:23:22
I'm convinced - Dave, ponder an NG Meet-up on these islands ... would be a perfect venue besides being shooting locations and challenges new to most of us.

Year 2017 - what is the best moth for a visit? Remembering the weather we had on isle of Lewis,,,

I was only joking . . . . but I'd love to do it . . . it's possible to fly all the way to the Orkneys and do car-hire locally . . . best months will be May, June, September but the weather will be changeable in any month - not usually prone to long periods of rain such as you got in the Western Isles. Orkney has the finest, most concentrated collection of neolithic monuments in Europe (google Brodgar, Stenness, Gurness, Skara Brae, Maes Howe . . . . and many more sites). Beautiful, tho' gentle landscapes; intensively farmed; wonderful dairy products, meat, fish; the islands are really organised for tourism; extensive network of ferries to all the outer isles . . . . I could go on all day.

I have been 8-10 times to the Orkneys and I love it there; these islands still fascinate me even after all those trips; my big neolithic exhibition last year was largely about Orkney.

Just say the word, boss . . .
Title: Re: An NG Meet-up to the Orkney Islands in 2017?
Post by: Bjørn Rørslett on September 05, 2016, 15:39:46
We have the Crete meet-up in April, 32017. Probably better to aim for mid June instead of May?

I'm all in.
Title: Re: An NG Meet-up to the Orkney Islands in 2017?
Post by: Erik Lund on September 05, 2016, 15:57:39
The NikonGear Scotland Revisited  ;D I'm in
Title: Re: An NG Meet-up to the Orkney Islands in 2017?
Post by: Bjørn Rørslett on September 05, 2016, 16:05:20
We can bring the "Little Fish" - 8 mm f/2.8 Fisheye-Nikkor :D :D
Title: Re: An NG Meet-up to the Orkney Islands in 2017?
Post by: Erik Lund on September 05, 2016, 16:06:08
Yep! The 6mm is gone,,, sadly
Title: Re: An NG Meet-up to the Orkney Islands in 2017?
Post by: David Paterson on September 05, 2016, 16:08:16
We have the Crete meet-up in April, 32017. Probably better to aim for mid June instead of May?

My best advice would be late August / early Sept. In June, members might still be suffering from get-together-fatigue, though June is probably the most reliable month, weatherwise. And there will be 20 hours of daylight, similar to southern Norway. But Mayumi and I frequently make trips beginning late August, to Orkney, Shetland (further north). Norway, Iceland, and always do pretty well with the weather.

One obvious difference is that I will not be "on the spot' as I was for Scotland 2016. Most arrangements would need to be made from distance, with perhaps one visit to check out accommodation, etc.
Title: Re: An NG Meet-up to the Orkney Islands in 2017?
Post by: David Paterson on September 05, 2016, 16:12:37
The NikonGear Scotland Revisited  ;D I'm in

That's three of us, then.   ;D ;D

We can bring the "Little Fish" - 8 mm f/2.8 Fisheye-Nikkor :D :D

and I now have the 8mm Sigma (Like Chris)
Title: Re: An NG Meet-up to the Orkney Islands in 2017?
Post by: Bjørn Rørslett on September 05, 2016, 16:17:15
August could conflict with the schedule of those going to the US for the Total Eclipse?

Oh well, I have had my lifetime share of eclipses, so no problem end of August here for me. As long as we are away from the tourist herds all is just fine.

Title: Re: An NG Meet-up to the Orkney Islands in 2017?
Post by: David Paterson on September 05, 2016, 16:22:17
let's stay a little loose about the date; June has plusses as well as minusses. There WILL be tourists around whenever we go; but June and Sept avoid the worst.

Check out -

http://www.groupaccommodation.com/properties/woodwick-mill-kirkwall-orkney-scotland (http://www.groupaccommodation.com/properties/woodwick-mill-kirkwall-orkney-scotland)
Title: Re: An NG Meet-up to the Orkney Islands in 2017?
Post by: Anthony on September 05, 2016, 20:33:25
I'm in.  Lets fix it for the best weather prospects (and not getting in the way of Crete).
Title: Re: An NG Meet-up to the Orkney Islands in 2017?
Post by: Frank Fremerey on September 05, 2016, 21:22:44
I'd love to visit the Isle of Skye again.

It is so versatile and I guess much cheaper than the more remote
Orkneys. Also a 5 day Inner Hebrides, 5 day Outer seems a great
option...

Are alternatives to Orkney still considered?
Title: Re: An NG Meet-up to the Orkney Islands in 2017?
Post by: Anthony on September 05, 2016, 22:09:16


Are alternatives to Orkney still considered?
Why alternatives?

Why not additions?
Title: Re: An NG Meet-up to the Orkney Islands in 2017?
Post by: David Paterson on September 06, 2016, 15:32:27
If there is a desire among members to return to Scotland I would be delighted, and will help in any way I can. Orkney, Skye and the Inner/Outer Hebrides could all provide a superb experience, though all three possibilities are very different from each other.

What I don't want is to get involved in an "a is better than b is better than c" type argument. All three locations are wonderful in the right weather; I have been to them all, many times; I know them all well, and I love them equally. There are three things which have to be decided - do we want to have a second event here? where? and when? I'll try to give whatever information I can, to help members decide, but I'm not going to enter the discussion/argument myself - I'll go along with the group decision and will help to organise the event, wherever that might be.

The May 2016 event was so good, maybe it will be difficult to match. Expectations will be high, and any attempt to have a re-run might not work too well. Just a thought.
Title: Re: An NG Meet-up to the Orkney Islands in 2017?
Post by: Bjørn Rørslett on September 06, 2016, 16:24:58
An NG event on Orkney does not prevent future events in other places in the country (or in UK) . Scotland has much to offer.

Experiences from an earlier meet-up only indicate the NG members are capable of making such events highly enjoyable. The next time might even be "better".
Title: Re: An NG Meet-up to the Orkney Islands in 2017?
Post by: simato73 on September 06, 2016, 16:29:07
If there is a desire among members to return to Scotland I would be delighted, and will help in any way I can. Orkney, Skye and the Inner/Outer Hebrides could all provide a superb experience, though all three possibilities are very different from each other.

What I don't want is to get involved in an "a is better than b is better than c" type argument. All three locations are wonderful in the right weather; I have been to them all, many times; I know them all well, and I love them equally. There are three things which have to be decided - do we want to have a second event here? where? and when? I'll try to give whatever information I can, to help members decide, but I'm not going to enter the discussion/argument myself - I'll go along with the group decision and will help to organise the event, wherever that might be.

The May 2016 event was so good, maybe it will be difficult to match. Expectations will be high, and any attempt to have a re-run might not work too well. Just a thought.

I would definitely go to Skye, not so sure I would take the time to go further afield.
Preferably out of the midge season, either in April-May (best period for god weather) or in October-ish (for colour and atmosphere)

 I can help organizing Skye if you need.
Title: Re: An NG Meet-up to the Orkney Islands in 2017?
Post by: Thomas Stellwag on September 08, 2016, 13:02:37
Orkney: september/october is important for my business, but if I can make it I will be in
Title: Re: An NG Meet-up to the Orkney Islands in 2017?
Post by: PeterN on June 15, 2017, 15:10:17
Just seeing this post (After communicating sept 30 as date for Nikongear Photo Race. I do hope the race will not interfere with this plan otherwise we'll have to reschedule the NPR.

BTW: I will visit Scotland (mainland and Skye) early september. So I guess I'll miss both the good weather and the colours. But I am sure it will be unfortgettable anyway.
Title: Re: An NG Meet-up to the Orkney Islands in 2017?
Post by: David Paterson on June 15, 2017, 22:52:38
Just seeing this post (After communicating sept 30 as date for Nikongear Photo Race. I do hope the race will not interfere with this plan otherwise we'll have to reschedule the NPR.
BTW: I will visit Scotland (mainland and Skye) early september. So I guess I'll miss both the good weather and the colours. But I am sure it will be unfortgettable anyway.

Peter - I don't think you need worry - the Orkney idea has remained that - just an idea. I think only nfoto, Erik and I were definite with Anthony and simato as possibles. So the NPR is quite safe. And you are just as likely to get good weather in Scotland in September as in any other month. The key word is "changeable".
Title: Re: An NG Meet-up to the Orkney Islands in 2017?
Post by: Bjørn Rørslett on June 15, 2017, 23:03:28
Orkney, Skye, Hebrides, Shetland, mainland Scotland - none of these will vanish into thin air no matter how the current 'brexit' ends up. I said it before and it can be repeated, 'I will be back'.
Title: Re: An NG Meet-up to the Orkney Islands in 2017?
Post by: PeterN on June 16, 2017, 08:47:53
Thank you.

David, it would be wonderful if you could attend the NPR too!

Btw, Shetland is high on my list too
Title: Re: An NG Meet-up to the Orkney Islands in 2017?
Post by: David Paterson on June 16, 2017, 10:40:03
David, it would be wonderful if you could attend the NPR too!
Btw, Shetland is high on my list too

Thanks, Peter, but my health is not great, these days. An enjoyable but stressful three consecutive days is the kind of thing I have to avoid, unfortunately.

I love the Shetland Isles - more wild and rugged than the Orkneys and with wonderful bird-life.
Title: Re: An NG Meet-up to the Orkney Islands in 2017?
Post by: PeterN on June 29, 2017, 11:47:56
sorry, posted in another thread.