This beach in the north-west of Scotland’s Isle of Skye is famous for being entirely composed from coral … except that it isn’t. The ‘coral’ is mainly shell fragments and bleached remnants of red algae.
Archive for November 2008
Coral 2 comments
South West is Best (2) 1 comment
This is the second (and final) part of an article by myself was published in Canoe Kayak UK magazine last Easter, to promote the launch of the book … Ten Great Reasons to sea kayak in South West England … 1. Lighthouses Ticking off all 26 of the South West’s lighthouses by paddling past them [...]
South West is Best (1) 1 comment
The following article by myself was published in Canoe Kayak UK magazine last Easter, to promote the launch of the book . Here is the first part … South West is Best! Sea Kayaking around Britain’s Sharp End In 1997 I was living in Bournemouth, right beside the sea. This was a genuine novelty for [...]
Armeria 1 comment
Thrift thrives on the coastal fringes where there is plenty of salt in the air and ground. This hardy plant is also known as ‘sea pink’, for obvious reasons. These photos were taken in the Isles of Scilly; this wind-swept Atlantic archipelago is located 25 miles offshore of England’s mainland. Thrift can be found growing wild all [...]
Hibernation 5 comments
It’s blinking cold right now and I for one am far too wimpy to go paddling on the sea when it’s this masochistic. The good news is, I have all sorts of recent pleasant memories to keep me going in the meantime. All I have to do is close my eyes and dream of Lundy [...]
Sellafield Leave a comment
Sellafield nuclear processing centre is sited on the Irish Sea coast in west Cumbria. It was created (under the previous name of ‘Windscale’) in the late 1940′s as part of Britain’s atomic bomb project, and also generated electricity until decommissioning began in the late 1990′s, work which will continue until at least 2037. Most of Britain’s nuclear [...]
Saltmarsh 4 comments
This is the combined estuary of the Rivers Esk, Irt and Mite in west Cumbria. I chanced upon this place whilst out walking this summer, being stuck in the area by strong winds during a sea kayak trip. Behind me were the high sand dunes of the Eskmeals Dunes Nature Reserve, and behind that was Eskmeals [...]
Buckler’s Hard 2 comments
The New Forest is located in Hampshire along the north-west shore of the Solent. It has two distinctions; it is Britain’s newest National Park (as of 2005), and is also Britain’s most boring National Park. The photo above shows the most interesting thing (indeed, only thing) that ever happens in the Forest; horses walk around [...]
You can never have too much cupboard space Leave a comment
Storage solutions St Kilda Style. Cleits; Cool. Extremely well ventilated. Constructed from locally available materials. Perfect for storing eggs, feathers, crops, peat and turf. Alternative uses: a perfect home for nesting birds and primitive sheep should your storage needs change; perhaps if you decided to move away to the mainland. Photos from my trip to [...]
You can never have too much cupboard space Leave a comment
Storage solutions St Kilda Style. Cleits; Cool. Extremely well ventilated. Constructed from locally available materials. Perfect for storing eggs, feathers, crops, peat and turf. Alternative uses: a perfect home for nesting birds and primitive sheep should your storage needs change; perhaps if you decided to move away to the mainland. Photos from my trip to [...]
Stacks Leave a comment
The stacks at Duncansby Head, north-east Scotland. This didn’t happen quickly …
Savage Leave a comment
savage (sav·age sávvij) adj. 1. Not domesticated or cultivated; wild comparative more savage, superlative most savage)
Spiral 1 comment
Whilst strolling high above the English Channel on Ballard Down today, we came across this mysterious spot. We have no idea who made it, when, how or why. All good. We spent the afternoon brainstorming.
Lift-off … 11 comments
‘Savage Shores: Britain’s Coastal Environment’ is the title of a book currently being researched and written by Heather and Mark Rainsley for Pesda Press. The book aims to explain the climate, geology, landforms, natural history and human history of the coastal environment to walkers, sea kayakers and others enjoying this wonderful part of Britain’s natural heritage. The [...]
Debs 7 comments
This is Deb Pinniger, who joined us for our recent trip to Lundy. This was her first ever time on the sea and in a sea kayak; she was our token numpty for this trip, although she may possibly have done a little paddling beforehand. We think that Debs could get quite good at kayaking, if [...]
