It's All About the Wind

The moon was still high in the sky when we reached the cliffs this morning and for once you couldn’t hear the waves as they crashed onto the rocks of Durlston Bay. You couldn’t hear the gulls calling as they circled above white capped waves either but this was not to say that the morning was a haven of peace and quiet. The overriding noise was caused by a wind that forced a path through the tree tops, sounding like a jet engine one minute and shifting sand the next, it drowned out almost everything else. I say almost because somewhere in the darkness of the undergrowth was a Wren, a fine little bird with a big mouth, that was winning the loudest noise competition at least for a little while.
Further along the cliffs a Peregrine suddenly appeared, effortlessly lifted herself high on the updraft and disappeared behind the trees. There were not many other birds close to land but far out to sea Gannets soared just above the waves looking impossibly white even against the breaking water. Far below, white horses were being dragged from the tops of waves and sent spraying across the water before they too were carried up the face of the cliff and into the sky.
On this clear blue sky morning, without a cloud to be seen, you could feel the spray as it fell like fine rain and that wasn’t a bad thing at all.

Winds and White Water.

When walking our cliffs it is easy to forget that pretty much the whole of the southern ridge, from Durlston to Worth, would have once been a big industrial estate. Quarries of all sizes were worked along here, some for generation after generation, and these have given us the landscape that we cherish today. Following the paths that weave between the quarries may not give us many obvious clues as nature has reclaimed much of what man has done but when you reach the coast path, the workings that have changed the cliffs are more visible as well as more impressive. The amount of stone taken from here and transported far and wide without the use of today’s machinery is difficult to imagine but what remains can tell us a great deal and there are many books that can explain what we see.
On a beautiful, blue sky day when these places are calm and peaceful you may be forgiven for thinking that working here, with the superb views and cool clear air, would be a joy and maybe on some days it would be. In Winter though, when the sea is churning white and the wind blows right through you but still your very livelihood depends on every hour worked regardless of the risks, they become different.
No less impressive, no less wonderful, just different.

Wednesday: A Date With Eleanor.

A few things happened on this morning's early walk some were good, some not so good but all can be blamed on Storm Eleanor.
First of all, if you know anything about me then you would know that any chance to watch big seas will be grabbed with both hands and the best and safest place to watch the waves is Durlston, so that is where we went.
From the hills above the clifftop you can see quite a way westward and it looked like the skies were clearing, if only for a little while. As it happened, it didn't take long for dark clouds to fly in and hail bagan to fall, this was added to the list of weather that Sika really doesn't like and she was less than happy. We rushed down the rain soaked hill to try and reach the shelter of the Dolphin Watch hut but rushing is never a good thing when there is not enough grip. So, after I scraped most of the mud from by legs and hands I quickly checked to see that no one had seen me fall over and we carried on. It was a relief for us all when we reached the hut and it was good to sit down and relax for a minute. Well, it was only a few seconds actually because I had sat in the chair with the nice big puddle of rain water in it and so jumped up pretty sharply! At least it washed some of the mud off!
We waited for the clouds to move on, which didn't take long with such a strong wind, and watched the Gannets and Gulls perform perfectly just above above the waves. A few Pigeons flew quickly passed, followed by a Peregrine which is as good a reason as any to get a move on.
So, an eventful wander to say the least and I don't think Sika has forgiven me for taking her out yet either but big seas are superb and are always worth the effort to watch.

Waiting for blue skies.

This morning's walk was later than usual and that didn't please the dogs. It was wet too and although Benny doesn't care, Sika is not a big fan of the rain.
So we headed off above Durlston Bay, through the woods, following paths that had become rivers over night. The waves below were pounding against the shore and that was the overriding sound but birds could still be heard among the falling drops of rain. I would have liked a bit of sunshine, something to chase the grey away and lift the day, but it was obvious that any patch of blue sky would be short lived. It seemed that it wasn't just the sky that was grey.
It is a funny thing though, regardless of the gloom and the rain it didn't long before I started seeing the world through more positive eyes. Watching the waves as they crossed the bay, walking through puddles and riverlets that flowed down the path, listening to the Squirrels as they chattered and raced through the trees, there was suddenly so much to see. Any walk, even a grey and wet one, never fails to improve a mood and this morning was no exception, even Sika cheered up when the Squirrels performed.
So the walk changed, we got wet and muddy and the way back got a lot better.
And then the clouds started to clear...

Coastal walks and cobwebs.

Our famous views were perhaps not as special on this morning's walk and the threat of rain was never far away but on a day like this the coast path is the place to be. I could see white horses topping every wave from home and the familiar sounds of a 'big sea' day could be heard way before I reached the cliffs but the walk was only going to get better.
In truth, there wasn't much in the way of wildlife but this happens sommetimes, what matters is the sea and watching waves as they roll, break and crash into rock. They have done this more or less the same way for millions upon millions of years, it works wonders in clearing your head.
On a day like this you can have coast walks or cobwebs, but you can't have both.

A Natural Thermometer.

It can be difficult, while you are out and about, to get an accurate idea of just how cold it really is. Without the right equipment to hand you have to rely on nature to tell you but the signs are there if you look.
For example: if you see a Squirrel with a runny nose you can be sure that it is pretty damn chilly!

Boxing Day

It was good to get out before the clouds and rain this morning and a bit of fresh air was needed after the last few days. Peveril Point was on the cards today as it's close and always a fine place to visit. The views here, in every direction, are superb and this morning there was enough wind to whip up the waves and keep the haze away.