With Valentine’s Day behind us, and I do hope that you all had a truly wonderful celebration, here it is Monday again, the start of another week, and I was expecting to post my usual Monday weekly photo challenge but once again my plans have changed.
So what’s new pussy cat? Well, for one thing, for those of us living here in the West Country of a very storm battered Britain, Valentine’s Day turned into a very stormy Valentine’s night. ‘Storm Carnage’ was the headline I read in a Saturday newspaper if that gives you an idea.
This was the worst storm yet and definitely not what Somerset, nor the entire south coast of Britain needed. All in all, up to 22 severe flood warnings were in place (this level signifies a danger to life) stretching from coastal communities all along the south from Cornwall, across to Brighton and Hove and up to the Thames Valley and to parts of Hampshire and Gloucester where rivers are at their highest levels for decades.
The wind howled and thumped against our homes (but then we are getting used to that so we don’t pay much notice now) and the rain lashed down on our windows and doors but we were cozily tucked up inside, enjoying a lovely ‘dine-in’ M&S meal (that is, starter, main, side-dish, bottle of Cava, dessert and chocolates, all for a cool £20) and then we enjoyed watching the Olympics.
We were very grateful to be safe and sound but wondered about all those poor folk whose homes have already been flooded and were facing even more. They woke up on Saturday to their own personal nightmare.
Having said that, when I was a little girl our home in Surrey flooded one year and I have a memory of slopping about downstairs in my wellie boots with water up to my knees, but that’s another story.
The next morning brought with it more wind and rain to a lesser degree until at last, as the day drew on, the storm itself ran out of steam and as if fed up with causing so much havoc , and if not a little bored by now, decided to pack up its things and leave. Good riddance!
Then, by Sunday, a very strange thing happened. Very strange indeed. We awoke to clear, blue skies, birds singing from the half-standing trees and not a breath of wind. It was calm and unseasonably warm too. When I say warm, I don’t mean tropical, I mean it wasn’t freezing cold as one would expect for February in Britain.
To top it off, a strange, orange light beamed down on us from the sky. We almost forgot what it was but quickly remembered our old friend The Sun who had somehow managed to find his hat, no thanks to the wild winds, and had placed it firmly back on his head. The Sun had come out to play and in no uncertain terms, was urging us to do the same.
So we did. This called for a celebration, a walk in the fresh air, an escape from our confines. We decided to take a drive to West Bay which is only a forty-five minute drive from where we live. A walk along the beach was just what the doctor ordered.
West Bay is in fact in Dorset but we live right on the border of Somerset and Dorset so it makes no difference to us. Upon arrival and finding the car park strewn with tree parts and debris left behind by the storm we were not surprised to find the place packed out as we were obviously not the only ones desperate to get out and about. Still, we paid our parking (very reasonable I might add, £1.70 for the entire day) and headed down first to the harbour and then to the beach.
Harbour at West Bay, Dorset
(c) Sherri Matthews 2014
West Bay
(c) Sherri Matthews 2014
West Bay Harbour, Dorset
(c) Sherri Matthews 2014
Tide coming in at West Bay Harbour
(c) Sherri Matthews 2014
Crab Pots, West Bay
(c) Sherri Matthews 2014
West Bay is nestled just south of the town of Bridport and is known as ‘The Golden Gateway to the Dorset Jurassic Coast’. The Jurassic Coast, part of The Dorset and East Devon Coast World Heritage Sight, spans 95 miles of stunning coastline giving evidence of earth’s glorious history with rocks dating back as far as 185 million years. West Bay is part of this coastline and with its magnificent sandstone cliffs is a truly spectacular beach to visit.
It also has a working fishing harbour which is surrounded by tea shops, waterside pubs and cafes and of course ice cream huts, and there were long queues for ice creams let me tell you! I would imagine that vendors all along the great British southern coast were singing the weather’s praises yesterday.
Hard to believe that we went from this:
View from my car window during the storm.
(c) Sherri Matthews 2014
To this in just two days:
Sunday lunch outside by the beach in February , West Bay
(c) Sherri Matthews 2014
What’s this? A holiday snap of a lazy lunch taken while sitting outside on a terrace or a patio in the Med perhaps? No. This was our lunch yesterday as eaten sitting outside on a bench by the sandy shore on a sunny Sunday in February in West Bay. And no, I am not one of those people who take photos of my meals wherever I go, just in case you were wondering, but how could I pass this moment up and not record it for posterity?
Be warned though. There are thieves lurking about here. Should you ever decide to visit West Bay, make sure to hold on to your valuable items as you never know who might try to steal them away.
West Bay
(c) Sherri Matthews 2014
After lunch, we headed out to the beach.
West Bay Beach
(c) Sherri Matthews 2014
West Bay Beach
(c) Sherri Matthews 2014
Walking along the beach we noticed right away the collapse along one part of the cliff. Not surprising considering the storms. I was stunned, however, when quickly scanning Sunday’s paper earlier this morning (always a day behind, as per) to see mention of West Bay, together with a photo not too dissimilar to mine, that this damage had only happened on Valentine’s night.
Here is my photo with hubby standing in the distance to help gain perspective of the sheer size of these magnificent, if not dangerous, cliffs.
Storm damage to cliff face, West Bay
(c) Sherri Matthews 2014
Another little bit of trivia: An excellent BBC drama called Broadchurch which I for one was glued to last summer, was filmed, in part, at West Bay. I had actually forgotten this until reading this in the newspaper and I do remember seeing the huge sandstone cliffs in the background of some of the scenes now that I think about it.
As we turned away from the beach and back towards the other side of the harbour we saw for the first time the extent of the damage caused by the recent storm surges. On Sunday the sea, while looking very murky and churned up, had receded as normal but we realised that the waves must have come up so high as evidenced by the damage to these walls.
Taking a walk up towards the coastal path, I was able to take this shot. See the edge of the waves to the right along the beach? This is normal. Now look to the left of the photo and you will see the white buildings (beach-side holiday apartments) on the other side of the car park (which is closed off and covered in gravel and debris). That is how high the waves reached, right up the edge of those apartments:
The walls in front of those apartments should like this:
This is what they look like now:
Storm damaged wall at West Bay
(c) Sherri Matthews 2014
We were also shocked to see how high driftwood and debris from the sea came right up against the sea walls. We have never seen anything like it:
Driftwood at West Bay
(c) Sherri Matthews 2014
Driftwood at West Bay
(c) Sherri Matthews 2014
Is that a meerkat peeking out? No, just more driftwood!
(c)Sherri Matthews 2014
It was one of the most rejuvenating days out we have spent for a very long time and we were so grateful. It has really made me stop and think about this whole business of climate change though. Our very windy and stormy Isle needs to step up to the plate if this is the kind of weather we can expect as typical, otherwise we will be in for far worse trouble down the line.
For now, it is back to rain and wind today in Somerset but we will always have yesterday…
This has replaced my weekly photo challenge post which I will do either tomorrow or Wednesday. I have also been working on a couple of award posts (very late, sorry!) which will follow this post directly, or at least a bit later on today. So, hope you don’t mind but I will be bombarding you with posts this week. You know what it’s like over here at my summerhouse – you never know what you’re going to get, but I hope you enjoyed this little interlude anyway! I’ll see you all again very soon. After all, as I always say:
Watch this space 🙂
A View From My Summerhouse 
The shrimp look delicious. What a contrast the lovely meal makes to the wreckage on the shore!
So glad you had a lovely weekend. We did, too. Our storm was less destructive, just a bit of snow.
LikeLike
Yes, I can assure you, the shrimp was delicious Tracy! I really fancied them and you know what they say … a little bit of what you fancy does you the power of good!
Ahh, so glad your snow storm wasn’t too bad, although we do hear of bad weather over your way. Thanks Tracy, and lovely that you enjoyed your weekend 🙂
LikeLike
Sherri, your pictures and your writing tell a powerful story. Jenny had mentioned your area had been hit hard, she wasn’t kidding. Your photo of the damage done to the cliff face is incredible. I’m so happy your home was spared any destructive damage and you and your family are safe…thank God!
I hope the nice weather continues for you. xo
LikeLike
Thanks so much Jill, and yes, we are so very grateful that we are all fine with nothing to report. So sorry though for all those poor folk who have been inundated with flood after flood. The West Country has been hit very badly but now it has spread out from beyond the Thames too. Just hope that the rain stops for a while to give the rivers a chance to subside but today we have had rain again all day 😦 The good news though is that this week isn’t going to be too bad, so we live in hope 🙂 xo
LikeLike
There’s always hope…thankfully. Be safe! xo
LikeLike
It was a strange feeling on Sunday, wasn’t it. While we haven’t had the floods over here in the east that you have had, we have had most of the bad weather, so waking up to a gloriously sunny – and still – day was a very odd feeling. Beautiful photos as always, Sherri.
LikeLike
Thanks very much Dylan, I’m glad you enjoyed the pics! Yes, you hit the nail on the head, it was quite surreal. As you say, it was the stillness of the day which really struck. Now it’s back to rain all day today, at least down here. Hope the sun stays with you 🙂
LikeLike
What a lovely way to spend the day yesterday – we certainly had some much needed sunshine. If I’m not very much mistaken – I do believe you may have had lunch at the Riverside Restaurant? We’ve enjoyed a couple of wonderful fish meals there during Son’s fossiling phase a few years ago!
Your pictures are dramatic evidence of the wreckage wreaked by this ghastly weather and you’re right – somebody somewhere is going to have to take responsibility and decide what to do about this in future if it is indeed a result of climate change and we are to expect more of the same year after year.
We lost power on Valentine’s night in Surrey so I’m expecting a rise in local birth rate ten months from now 🙂
One of our trees fell victim to the winds – one of its main boughs snapped off into the neighbour’s garden – thankfully – had it gone the other way it would have demolished part of our house.
It’s grey here again today but dry. That’s as much as we can hope for, I think 🙂
LikeLike
Oh goodness Jenny, I laughed (birth rate going up, ha ha!!) and then gulped (yikes, thank god that tree bough didn’t crash into your house!!) Just shows how quickly our lives can change, and never take that for granted. As for us, we replaced our fencing a couple of years ago and thank goodness we did. It barely stood up before and now it is like a fortress. What a relief. Many fences down here. Glad you have power up and running again though!
There is a Riverside Restaurant but this is the Watch House Cafe – I think! Everyone wanted to eat outside and I really fancied some prawns. Honestly, I felt as if we were on holiday, for a very brief moment!
It rained all day today and windy again but not as bad as the storm and we are supposed to be in for slightly better weather this week, so we live in hope.
Oh and Jenny, must tell you, my mum remembers the Barley Mow very well. As soon as I told her she immediately remembered it…talk about a blast from the past and what a very small world we live in …if a little storm damaged at the moment, ha 🙂
LikeLike
Amazing interlude and the atmosphere captured so well by the photographs – this post is certainly one we were in need of to help us remember what the weathere can be like!!
LikeLike
Yes, an amazing interlude indeed CM 🙂 xo
LikeLike
I couldn’t believe the wind on Friday. I went out into my garden around midnight and saw that my fence was about to fall. I had to battle the wind to get it back in place before it caused more damage. ended up only losing a small piece. But yesterday was beautiful.
LikeLike
Goodness TB, you were brave going out there in that awful storm. So glad you are all OK and that your fence was only slightly damaged. Wasn’t it something? We didn’t lose power as some did, did you? Yesterday was magical, must have been in London, simply beautiful… 🙂
LikeLike
How true a picture is worth a thousand words. What devastation Mother Nature has wrecked. I wonder who She’s mad at. Good idea to celebrate being alive after this last storm.
We’re having relatively calm weather here, crisp, cold and yesterday, almost balmy.
LikeLike
Ha! I wonder indeed! All us over here I reckon, lol! Oh that’s good, glad your bitterly cold weather has left, although I hear that parts are still having bad snow. Glad things have calmed down for you, same here yesterday, it was actually strangely still after the awful storm but today it rained all day again ;-( Still, nothing like before and this week is supposed to be calmer. We live in hope Tess and all for celebrating being alive 🙂
LikeLike
Indeed. Hope is all we have.
LikeLike
So glad you were safe. Prayers go out to those whose homes and lives were devastated by the storms.
LikeLike
Thanks so much Susan, very much appreciated. We are fine, but yes, those poor folk who have been flooded time and time again really do need our prayers.
LikeLike
What an absolutely devastating storm that swept through your area. I’m glad to hear that you are safe and my thoughts go out to those that were impacted my the damage. I’m struck by the contrast in the lovely pictures from yesterday that you shared. The shrimp look absolutely scrumptious and the cliffs against the blue sky are a magnificent sight.
LikeLike
Thanks so much Heather. Yes, it was very bad, the worst yet and coming so soon after a series of bad storms one after the other since before Christmas. No let up. The rivers are still rising even though we had that lovely day yesterday, and sadly it rained all day today but not as bad as before. We just need some time to dry out!
Ahh, yes, that shrimp was delicious, I really felt as if I was on a little holiday for a few hours! Everyone was in a holiday mood after what we had been through.
We were shocked at the coastal damage and it is even worse further down.
LikeLike
It’s been a strange start to the year – it seems that the rain, gales and flooding will never end, yet here in the north, we haven’t experienced anything like the calamities that have befallen the south. They say that climate change is cyclical, but I don’t see how we can think anything other than that something is seriously wrong with the type of weather we’re having. On a positive note, lovely pictures and a lovely journey through a place I’ve never been to. Those cliffs are amazing (I do remember them from Broadchurch!) We also had a balmy day yesterday, though I think still too cold to be having al fresco lunches like you! 🙂
LikeLike
Very strange indeed Andrea. That is the word for it. Something indeed is going on with the weather, this just isn’t normal by any stretch of the imagination and for the first time walking around West Bay and seeing the damage, I felt quite seriously worried about the future.
Ahh, I’m glad you watched Broadchurch, I loved it! Funny, I didn’t think about it when we went there yesterday and it was when I read the paper that I had that lightbulb moment!
We had coats on sitting outside and it was fine with the sun out but by the time we left to go home things were growing very chilly indeed 🙂
So glad you enjoyed the journey, thank you Andrea 🙂
LikeLike
Yesterday was so different to the past two months, it felt quite strange! Back to normal today though 😦 I love your photos and I am so jealous that you are able to get to the coast so quickly – love those crab pots, the pink house, the cliffs and that lunch. Yummy!!
LikeLike
Thank you Jude. Your kind of day, methinks! It is lovely to be able to get to the sea so quickly but I’ve always lived close by, wherever I’ve lived, so I do take it for granted and shouldn’t I know. Kept thinking of that little ditty ‘I want to marry a lighthouse keeper and live beside the sea’!! Ha 😉 xo
LikeLike
That must have been some storm! I hope no one was hurt. Looks like you had a wonderful Sunday Sherri! I hope your weather stays that way! 🙂
LikeLike
It was horrendous on top of all the other storms we’ve had constantly since before Christmas. We’ve never known anything like it here, so continual like this. There have been some fatalities in other parts of the country and many have lost homes due to the bad flooding so we are very grateful that we are ok.
It really was an amazing Sunday, today it rained all day again, but supposed to be better this week, so we live in hope! Thank you Jhanis 🙂
LikeLike
Aha, tell me about it, Sherri! Fellow Somerseter here, after all 😉 That Friday night I was lying in bed, the wind was horrific where I was by the coast, and I was listening to it batter the house seriously thinking it was going to rip the windows out or something! I also heard a massive crash outside, thinking it was the iron gate falling off the hinges, but I found out the next morning that it was actually the fence that had fallen. Joys, eh. I’m just surprised there wasn’t more damage.
I think that sunny Sunday brought the entire UK population outside!! It was so, so lovely. Haven’t seen a day like that in a loooong while. I have to disagree with you though, Sherri Poppins 😛 It has certainly not been freezing here this winter! I relish cold weather, so I’ve be so utterly disappointed this season. I should move to Canada or something. Glad you had a nice day out though 🙂 I went out into Exmoor on Sunday, to Snowdrop Valley (: Slipping and sliding through deep mud on steep, narrow hills though – that wasn’t quite so nice!
Glad to see you’re back on the case with posting 😉
LikeLike
No, it hasn’t been freezing at all, that’s what I meant! It’s been horribly warm actually. I meant that when I said it has been warm in the sense that it is not freezing like it should be for this time of year. It was so warm at West Bay that we had to take our coats off. Couldn’t believe that we could eat outside. I don’t think I’ve felt cold at all, although by the time we left and the sun went down it felt quite chilly at last.
Today it rained again didn’t it ;-( Oh when will we get a proper cold, frosty and freezing winter? I long for it and snow. I hate all this unseasonably warm, wet winter weather.
I’m glad you are ok and hope your fencing can be repaired quickly, what a nuisance. We replaced ours 2 years ago thank goodness or we wouldn’t have one left now!
Ahh, what a lovely day you had despite the mud. That is the problem with not being able to go into the woods properly because of all the mud.
Thanks Jenny Jen Jen, will be catching up with everyone’s posts asap, phew 🙂
LikeLike
Ah, I see! My apologies then 😉
I’m thinking we’ve missed our chance for a cold winter this time round 😦
LikeLike
What a really glorious day you had to escape from all the raging weather. Loved your photos, which added to your story so beautifully. It is a miracle that more people have not been hurt, but for those in the flooded areas it must be devastating. How long will it take to receover from a disaster like that? The driftwood and such, thrown up onto the beach, reminded me of the quiet beaches in California. Lol m xx
LikeLike
Yes, I thought that when I saw all the driftwood, very similar to the beaches where we used to take the kids and the dogs! It was shocking though to see how high it all came up and that only two days before where we were walking had been under sea water. Walking underneath the cliffs is treacherous, I’m surprised they don’t have any warnings. It was a truly glorious day to escape and get out and breathe that sea air. Glad you are safe and sound…much love MP xoxoxox
LikeLike
That’s really sobering to see the end of the story. I’d been thinking all along how poignantly you described the contrast between the storms and the calm, and how good it is to enjoy the warmth and chance to get out, but never to forget the power of what nature can do.
LikeLike
Yes Denise, and what a contrast. Nature is very powerful indeed. It must have been the same for you after the storm lashing you experienced in your neck of the woods.Sunday was surreal in its stillness and warmth. So unlike the kind of weather we should be having in February! Still, winter isn’t over yet. Let’s just hope that we don’t have any more nasty surprises around the corner and keep ever hopeful 🙂
LikeLike
It was pretty bad but it’s been more relentless here than violent. And of course we don’t have the terrible scenario of homes being flooded that you have where you are. And certainly nothing as dramatic as the wall, although of course anyone sensible is keeping well away from the seafront during high winds.
LikeLike
A wonderful post! I love West Bay- went there a couple of years ago. Thanks for the memories and great photos x
Sent by Brenda Kimmins
>
LikeLike
You’re welcome Brenda, so glad you enjoyed it, thank you very much, and how lovely to know that you visited West Bay too 🙂 xx
LikeLike
It certainly did some damage
LikeLike
It did Al, that’s for sure. Let’s hope we have a break now, although it rained all day today here.
LikeLike
I hope so. It has been clear here
LikeLike
Ah, fresh air and sunshine. Perfect for getting out after hunkering down and weathering the storms. The weather does appear to be getting more strange as time goes on. The US is having severe droughts in California, records snowfalls and below freezing temps in the southern states and east coast. It’s amazing and unsettling at the same time with the damage it does.
I’m glad you faired well and it worked out so you could have a special Sunday. We’ll take our blessings whenever we can. 🙂
LikeLike
Absolutely Pat, take those blessings when and wherever we can indeed 🙂 The weather has been playing up all over the world, just crazy and it is very unsettling. Makes me wonder what’s next….
It was lovely how it all worked out and so unexpectedly on Sunday. Just lovely, thank you Pat 🙂
LikeLike
So true, Sherri, in counting our blessings when and wherever we can. It can sure be crazy when you look at what all is going down around the world.
I’m just glad you had a special family day to enjoy. 🙂
LikeLike
Sherri – thanks for the adventure via this post today. Liked the pink stucco house and the crab pot photo (with the cool ropes) – but the flow and variety was super fun (and yum! to the food – ha! to the thief sign warning – and 😦 sniff! about the damage).
my favorite line….
“The Sun had come out to play and in no uncertain terms, was urging us to do the same”
LikeLike
Ahh, thanks so much Yvette, I’m so happy that you are enjoying my posts so much, you are very kind and complimentary and I love that you enjoy reading as much as looking at the photos, I love how you pick out your favourite lines, it means a great deal to me 🙂
LikeLike
I really enjoyed this post, Sherri. I love seeing photos of England, as you know, especially a part I have never been and London is as far south as I’ve gone. I also liked seeing photos of the storm damage which sounds terrible but I am a bit obsessed with natural disasters. Something to do with Christchurch I guess. I’m amazed by how far the waterline went. And those cliffs are fantastic too.
As for climate change. You know my thoughts on the matter. They are predicting increased precipitation for the UK over the coming decades/centuries (depending on what we do now) and this, in conjunction with rising seas, will mean more flooding.
LikeLike
Thank you very much Rachel, so glad you enjoyed this post and of course the photos and yes, I know your thoughts on climate change for sure! We definitely have to do something as things will only get worse. Hope things are going well for you and you are settling down in your new life… 🙂
LikeLike
I’m so glad that you were able to enjoy a little holiday away from all the rain and storms Sherri! I hope that the weather continues to improve. Beautiful photos of a lovely lunch! I hope that the storm surge damage can be quickly and easily repaired.
LikeLike
Ahh, thank you Theresa, yes, it was a lovely break and very unexpected. There is a lot of damage all the way along the south western coastline. So far this week things seem more settled, long may it stay that way 🙂
LikeLike
I have been watching the floods and damage in your part of the world, with trepidation… Our house has now been under water twice in 12 years the first when we lost all our belongings with every thing floating down the river and the second time not so high… but it is a traumatic experience to have and I feel for those that are going through it… but from pouring rain to almost what looks like tropical weather is astounding… love the photos .. hate the storm surges that can do so much damage… but loved this post… wonderful share Sherri…
LikeLike
Oooh, not good, really sorry to hear of your flooding experiences. I do feel so bad for all those who don’t live too far from us who have had incessant flooding for weeks on end. The storm surge damage has been really bad all along the south west part of the UK as you can tell from these photos. Sunday was amazing but since then more rain although not so bad. This week looks better thankfully. Great to know you enjoyed this post and the pics, thanks so much Bulldog 🙂
LikeLike
Wow! That’s some serious damage Sherri! You are so right about there being something badly wrong with the climate now. This summer there’s been rain, hail & wind here that everyone says is totally abnormal for the area & I remember seeing on the news that the speeds that the winds reached in the Phillipines mega-storm were previously listed as “impossible” on this planet. Scary to think what the weather future holds in store. You live in a really beautiful place – yum prawns in the sun! 🙂 x
LikeLike
The weather is all over the place. I have a friend in California who says they are having a drought and here we have way too much rain! The winds have been abnormally strong too, as well as record high tides. Not good for an island! That is really scary about the Philippines. Hope things settle down…
Ahh, thanks Jo, I never take for granted having such beautiful countryside and coastline so close by.
You wouldn’t believe that I took that photo just Sunday, it has been raining since, but nothing like before 🙂 xxx
LikeLike
Devastation is an accurate description, Sherri. Still, you found a way to stay dry and celebrate Valentine’s Day…and then share the story. Where you were in California is now struggling with devastating drought, while where you are now it’s floods.
Yet your final pictures are of beauty and calm and festivities, and we celebrate with you.
LikeLike
Yes, I have been in touch with my friend in California and she said that although they had some rain last week that was it. A bad drought. Too bad I can’t send her some of our rain! All or nothing isn’t it?
I’m so glad that I was able to share the calm and celebration here with you Marylin 🙂
LikeLike
I thoroughly enjoyed that Sherri. I’m glad to see you weathered the storm just fine. Your beautiful pictures reminded me that we will once again see warm weather and sunny skies one day…I’m still waiting for the last of the ice and snow to thaw that remains on my deck. Stay safe. Lilka
LikeLike
Thank you very much Lilka, I’m really glad that you enjoyed the photos. Sunday was so unusual for this time of the year. It’s been raining ever since but nothing like we’ve been having and this week is supposed to be better. I really hope and pray that those poor folk who have been flooded will have the chance to dry out but not far from here there are still lakes and lakes of flooded agricultural land from the still rising rivers.
Goodness, you have had a very cold winter if you still have ice and snow!
Spring isn’t far away…you keep safe too, especially with all those icy patches.
LikeLike
Lovely photos. Would love to visit one day. Thanks for sharing. Storm damage is always frightening, isn’t it?
Agree about Broadchurch also!
LikeLike
Oh great, a Broadchurch fan, yay! Thank you very much Diane, I’m really glad you enjoyed the photos and yes, very frightening indeed.
LikeLike
Wow. That looks like a powerful storm. So glad you had pictures of the ‘before’ in order to show the extent of the damage.
I have to say, I love the West Bay cliff. It reminds me of every British Gothic Romance I’ve ever read, where the sea rushes up to the cliffs, high and straight. What a great place to indulge in a nice shrimp meal.
LikeLike
Oh yes, I know just what you mean about the cliffs Renee! My all time favourite novel is ‘Rebecca’ and when we visited Cornwall in November (before the storms) I was reminded of its powerful story as we overlooked the wild and dark sea from the rocky cliffs above it. Very gothic indeed 🙂
LikeLike
I guess I won’t be complaining about the local cold or snow any time soon! Lovely photos, Sherri.
LikeLike
Ha Ha! Thank you very much Nav 🙂
LikeLike
It is indeed amazing how weather changes from day to day but even more amazing is how nature takes our breath away because of how beautiful it is. Today, nature knocked at our door because of your post. Thanks.
LikeLike
Wow, thank you so much IT. You are so right about nature taking our breath away. Even in its danger it is beautiful. All we can do is stand back in awe. And, if we are lucky, manage to take a few photos in an effort to try and do it justice 🙂
LikeLike
After seeing these photos, I definitely want to visit Southern England. It was just last year that I was told that my maternal grandfather’s family was from ‘your neck of the woods’. Before then I had thought my heritage was in Northern Ireland. Although there’s a little Scottish in me, most of my mom’s family is from Southern England.
LikeLike
How very interesting Glynis. In that case, you must visit! There are many beautiful places to visit in this part of the UK. Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Dorset…so much to see. As well as the coast there is the countryside. Exmoor National Park for one which is one hour from here. You would love it. Let me know when and if you would like any ideas.
Oh, and my paternal grandmother was Irish, from Northern Ireland, although she was 17 when my grandfather whisked her away from there and brought her back to England. I have never been to Ireland.
LikeLike
Those cliffs are amazing but they do look dangerous. You wouldn’t get me standing where your husband did particularly with evidence of a rock fall. Climate change is a real worry. I certainly wouldn’t be comfortable living that close to the sea.
LikeLike
Yes, they are spectacular but very dangerous. He wondered over there just by the edge very quickly then moved away. He spoke to a young couple who took their sandwiches and sat right underneath it urging them to move away – they spoke some English so understood thankfully. I’m glad we are inland too, even though not far from the flooding but at least not near those awful storm surges. Quite terrifying.
LikeLike
Sometimes you wonder where people put their brains.
We are sited between two rivers and although we have never flooded here either end of the street does. I can’t help but think it is just a matter of time.
LikeLike
Yikes, I sure hope that doesn’t happen…
LikeLike
Can you send some rain to California, please? Beautiful photos.
LikeLike
Ahh, thank you Evelyne, and I wish I could send you as much rain as you need. I have been talking to my friend from California who tells me about the terrible drought you are having over there. The world’s climate is really quite scary at the moment.
LikeLike