tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46700191490024017092024-02-20T01:35:48.484+00:00A British Island AdventureTwo people in search of every British islandTC + DChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01262527192581395294noreply@blogger.comBlogger429125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4670019149002401709.post-9292821018219550222014-04-03T17:16:00.002+01:002014-04-03T17:16:50.962+01:00Top 10 best British islands: No.1 – Rum<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-1hKV70BcxwzKyhlvjaew_Taw87gWO_96LAYV6AHqoG6VXMcm5MSmCyr5W1m7THp_6WolGiBg19aSWEYcVbMSzBhQkREC-VYx1TgofCCk3y1i6Q2X6X8ZMfMJV60mbZxOu3I3mNMGJG0H/s1600/1-Rum2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-1hKV70BcxwzKyhlvjaew_Taw87gWO_96LAYV6AHqoG6VXMcm5MSmCyr5W1m7THp_6WolGiBg19aSWEYcVbMSzBhQkREC-VYx1TgofCCk3y1i6Q2X6X8ZMfMJV60mbZxOu3I3mNMGJG0H/s1600/1-Rum2.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Due to the vagaries of the Small Isles ferry, we spent a bit longer on Rum than we anticipated. You might think that eight days would be too long to stay on an island that only supports a handful of houses and a shop in a shed. But the longer we stayed, the more we came to love the place.<br />
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It certainly helped that we were staying in one of the oak panelled rooms at Kinloch Castle. Considering the remoteness of the island, the accommodation was amazing. Instead of the usual spartan hostel experience, it was more like staying in a millionaire's mansion, albeit one with a hint of <i>The Shining</i> as the place wound down for the end of the season.<br />
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The real pleasure of Rum though, is in it's wildness. A single track, only suitable for off-road vehicles, runs from Kinloch and splits in two near the centre of the island. One track heads for Harris in the southwest and the <a href="http://www.mmtrust.org.uk/mausolea/view/502/Bullough_Mausoleum" target="_blank">Bullough Mausoleum</a>. The other to Kilmory in the north, where you will find red deer on the beach. That's it. To see anywhere else you have to venture into the wild. And the best place to go is up into the <a href="http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/islands/rum-cuillin.shtml" target="_blank">Rum Cuillin</a>. It's a long trudge up, of course, but the double horseshoe of peaks surrounded by water is truly spectacular, rivalling any landscape you will see in Britain.<br />
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<b>Rum is in the top 10...</b> for its awesome wildness and spectacular CuillinTC + DChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01262527192581395294noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4670019149002401709.post-2572698495226035832013-08-13T11:09:00.000+01:002013-08-13T11:09:49.710+01:00A new Island Adventurer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcST447DrBbEqFS3UAPBdlQydQ5GBT0SX-O9vsZMisxODChBNf5thLJXg4-Y5XbI1gXkSFjVrXSnDKFQZ58bNZiYgG0zFheoQBx9qvUtA1Cg1eIf_3-5i0KaYy6wEe4-VvD9aatDUkiy-t/s1600/New-recruit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcST447DrBbEqFS3UAPBdlQydQ5GBT0SX-O9vsZMisxODChBNf5thLJXg4-Y5XbI1gXkSFjVrXSnDKFQZ58bNZiYgG0zFheoQBx9qvUtA1Cg1eIf_3-5i0KaYy6wEe4-VvD9aatDUkiy-t/s400/New-recruit.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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We all have big plans and dreams, but sometimes life takes over.
Literally in our case, as our first child, Gracie Bee, was born
in March this year. We knew our lives would change but we didn't realise it would change quite so much. It's been a tough, but
wonderful, five months and there's been little time for island hopping.
But now we have a new adventurer onboard her training has already begun so she
can help us on our quest!TC + DChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01262527192581395294noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4670019149002401709.post-84392757575982608452013-04-18T13:43:00.002+01:002013-04-18T13:45:09.141+01:00Country Walking magazine - Treasure Islands<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkfp_O48BC2bTnVZbDc91yacSmMOcC1ODkTTKSJ3NRWv0dsHlV4SemElkrFrSLD-_8RRje_ImFF-Z_gDkucCNMJtM8pQizEEQNKBASAt3zCEtScFS8CWufCEY3CxHPIc3OW69As1yFvThQ/s1600/CW_April_2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkfp_O48BC2bTnVZbDc91yacSmMOcC1ODkTTKSJ3NRWv0dsHlV4SemElkrFrSLD-_8RRje_ImFF-Z_gDkucCNMJtM8pQizEEQNKBASAt3zCEtScFS8CWufCEY3CxHPIc3OW69As1yFvThQ/s320/CW_April_2013.jpg" width="226" /></a></div>
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<span class="userContent">The April issue of <a href="http://www.livefortheoutdoors.com/Our-walking-and-climbing-magazines/Country-Walking-Magazine/" target="_blank">Country Walking</a> magazine is a fantastic
themed issue on 'Treasure Islands' – featuring walks around
British islands. Tracy was invited to write the introduction, which also
included a handful of our photos. We're really pleased with the result in
such an inspiring issue.</span>TC + DChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01262527192581395294noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4670019149002401709.post-9881192566162304392012-11-07T18:29:00.000+00:002012-11-07T18:29:21.457+00:00Nowhere Island<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi91w3p8iJ3zC7IToLyWcAgKXDqR8n-X5Rtw9pnfa9fj0PDP2Sr5rQSZoF4S4ItwShFuDH9nizhtH9ol6fRAlzd082swbJ5Eb1Y4Yg3ipKSU3ie83Ppy2ij6vGG2cLe1wiKly6FulHppVcQ/s1600/Nowhere-island-1000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi91w3p8iJ3zC7IToLyWcAgKXDqR8n-X5Rtw9pnfa9fj0PDP2Sr5rQSZoF4S4ItwShFuDH9nizhtH9ol6fRAlzd082swbJ5Eb1Y4Yg3ipKSU3ie83Ppy2ij6vGG2cLe1wiKly6FulHppVcQ/s640/Nowhere-island-1000.jpg" width="449" /> </a></div>
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Could <a href="http://nowhereisland.org/" target="_blank">Nowhereisland</a> be our 487th British island? Well, no. Although it visited British waters this summer it is not ours to own. The artwork by Alex Hartley became the world's newest nation with a citizenship open to all. It started life as a rock in Svalbard and after sailing 2000 miles to the south coast of England is now nothing more than 23,003 fragments divided between its global citizens. Unfortunately, we never set foot upon it, but T is officially citizen No. 1542. </div>
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TC + DChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01262527192581395294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4670019149002401709.post-90128276968656017132012-10-23T12:17:00.001+01:002013-08-12T13:20:10.983+01:00Top 10 best British islands: No. 2 – St Mary's<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDCkfi_50wadxEpSOekP3MPBoVCviG6de_L4Q4EBBTa-JRlwy-_riWE219eIAgbCzFM9B0svinuroO1nsmhYDXYtvCQZTHKAxx5KL5-oeQrTYuUpilCzs8YVdIiJnekMtIk_1ucbCHAftN/s1600/3-St-Marys-smaller2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDCkfi_50wadxEpSOekP3MPBoVCviG6de_L4Q4EBBTa-JRlwy-_riWE219eIAgbCzFM9B0svinuroO1nsmhYDXYtvCQZTHKAxx5KL5-oeQrTYuUpilCzs8YVdIiJnekMtIk_1ucbCHAftN/s400/3-St-Marys-smaller2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Everyone had told us how good the Isles of Scilly are but its charms just seemed too obvious and too easy compared to the remote, less popular, Scottish isles. After all, the archipelago has everything going for it – being the most southerly of the British islands and enjoying its own balmy microclimate. A place of gorgeous sandy beaches and clear, shallow water that seems more like the Med than a corner of Britain. Where was the challenge? We turned up thinking we knew exactly what to expect and yet still the place was a surprise, managing to win over our cynical hearts as soon as we docked at St Mary's on the rickety old Scillonian III.<br />
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In many ways the islands fulfil every expectation of what an island should be. The key basics of rock and sand, turquoise water and blazing sunsets are all present and correct. Most importantly there is the feeling of escape – adrift from the mainland you are immersed in the elements: sea, sun, wind and rain in a vast arena of big sky and distant horizon. This small collection of modest islands are connected by the toing-and-froing of open-topped boats, conveying the hoards from St Mary's to St Agnes, Tresco, Bryher or St Martin's. Each island an individual, yet part of the whole.<br />
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We loved St Mary's best of all. Despite being the hub of the archipelago and so the most populous, it combines a calm, agricultural interior with a craggy, gruff shoreline that has plenty of lonely spots to while away the hours. We snorkelled in the freezing water and spotted autumn lady's-tresses spiking the old garrison walls, we criss-crossed the island's country lanes and never tired of the view from our cottage across the harbour. So, when asked about the Isles of Scilly, we'll be giving the same predictable answer as anyone else who's ever visited: "You have to go."<br />
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<b>St Mary's is in the top 10...</b> for offering a tropical getaway on British shoresTC + DChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01262527192581395294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4670019149002401709.post-75315894259132790392012-07-27T12:54:00.000+01:002012-07-27T13:21:31.800+01:00Top 10 best British islands: No. 3 – Barra<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6-916MjwfTnQEpCiwAaZA-jZt1w86umboPuDR6YAx0dI8lFJrP07cD3at4WVRtwKLD9IAcm86I7KTkQPUWnPu1LqxCPIWXbLfJiCDMtZ2cJHcJfkNMp8CJege_LKuFtQS9GofvYEy5Bsz/s1600/3-Barra.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6-916MjwfTnQEpCiwAaZA-jZt1w86umboPuDR6YAx0dI8lFJrP07cD3at4WVRtwKLD9IAcm86I7KTkQPUWnPu1LqxCPIWXbLfJiCDMtZ2cJHcJfkNMp8CJege_LKuFtQS9GofvYEy5Bsz/s400/3-Barra.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Barra was the one island we had always wanted to visit before we began A British Island Adventure. Drawn as we were by its tropical white sands and the very idea of landing a passenger plane on a cockleshell beach. When we finally reached Barra, it wasn't by aircraft but it didn't disappoint. We sailed from Oban to Castlebay on the CalMac ferry, taking
around five hours to reach our destination after sailing through the
Sound of Mull, and into the Sea of the Hebrides with glimpses of Coll, Skye and the Small Isles along the way. </div>
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In many ways <a href="http://britishislands.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Barra" target="_blank">Barra</a> is the ultimate Hebridean island – remote from the mainland it has a strong independent community that speaks Gaelic as often as not, and still fills the local churches. The size of the island seems just right, striking a satisfying balance between a 1,000 strong population and the wild, empty landscape of mountain and moor. It offers the experience of being apart from the world, yet without too much of the hardship that can be found on smaller islands.</div>
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The 383m summit of <a href="http://britishislands.blogspot.co.uk/2010/05/barra-day-6-east-barra.html" target="_blank">Sheabhal</a> is perhaps the best place to understand Barra. From here you can see how Barra lies at the southern end of the
Outer Hebrides, linked to Vatersay
by bridge. How the north and west sides are edged with sandy beaches and
the east coast frays away, giving in to the claim of the sea in the form of
ragged inlets and hidden bays. Looking south, the chain
continues way beyond Barra in a submerged mountain range of uninhabited islands: Sandray,
Pabbay,
Mingulay and Berneray to finish.<br />
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<b>Barra is in the top 10...</b> for being the epitome of a Hebridean island</div>TC + DChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01262527192581395294noreply@blogger.com5Isle of Barra HS9, UK56.9789744 -7.488654156.7020789 -8.1203681 57.2558699 -6.8569401tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4670019149002401709.post-86874501173358365262012-07-18T09:02:00.000+01:002012-07-18T09:03:53.322+01:00Top 10 best British islands: No 4 - Skye<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifpf8oZ4har9wW5mqMB9Lbp3xpM47d1bGQ5OpOr7m9xumxR5H3CmHlv517p3dUEpR0aBJfcvVpMVHk2sncSq8fgM78IncVlaYc_bbdhpp89bbEuWrqSNWG9VIM2KWb48ls7BuDwMMFjJqO/s1600/4-Skye.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifpf8oZ4har9wW5mqMB9Lbp3xpM47d1bGQ5OpOr7m9xumxR5H3CmHlv517p3dUEpR0aBJfcvVpMVHk2sncSq8fgM78IncVlaYc_bbdhpp89bbEuWrqSNWG9VIM2KWb48ls7BuDwMMFjJqO/s400/4-Skye.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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There are two main ways to get to Skye from the mainland: the old fashioned way by ferry from Mallaig to Armadale or the modern way across the Skye Bridge. Either way, you'll end up on an island of many parts. From the green slopes of the Sleat peninsula, to the outdoor adventure playground of the Quiraing; from the colourful harbour at Portree, to the doom-laden spires of the Cuillin Ridge. If you like being outdoors, you shouldn't have any trouble in finding astonishment here.</div>
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For us, the most astonishing place of all was Loch Coruisk – a slim body of water squeezed on either side by the Cuillin Hills. A boat from Elgol delivered us into this closed wilderness, where for a few hours we absorbed the velvety silence and the crisp reflections of the jagged peaks on the water.</div>
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At times, we may have walked at angles into the wind, and I may have had a brain-lock at the Talisker Distillery (not drink related), and T may have emptied a cupful of water from each boot after paths turned to rivers in the unceasing rain, but Skye is as close as you can get to the spirit of Macbeth's Scotland, so you shouldn't expect it to be too comfortable.</div>
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<b>Skye is in the Top 10...</b> for its incredible rocky landmarks: the Old Man of Storr, the Quiraing, and the Cuillins.</div>TC + DChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01262527192581395294noreply@blogger.com0Isle of Skye, UK57.2426899 -6.188241156.6928664 -7.4516686 57.792513400000004 -4.9248136tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4670019149002401709.post-45600839664435095112012-07-10T12:03:00.000+01:002017-05-11T13:26:35.317+01:00Portland, Dorset - day 2<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggCBZ0GGX8_i3eQlOF1zXk_xe8bgTlP3oEytEOWIdbpVyj8fgSwzJEmE0XQ5b6C5lvRbuAITRu-MzqExiegL4beNLD_d-XftCmQsc7ii4-w_211wFNJ_9igYcR5JYuXJARRTcRIC04TUAw/s1600/01-Chesil-beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggCBZ0GGX8_i3eQlOF1zXk_xe8bgTlP3oEytEOWIdbpVyj8fgSwzJEmE0XQ5b6C5lvRbuAITRu-MzqExiegL4beNLD_d-XftCmQsc7ii4-w_211wFNJ_9igYcR5JYuXJARRTcRIC04TUAw/s400/01-Chesil-beach.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chesil Beach</td></tr>
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We couldn't leave it there, we had to go back – lured by the South West Coast Path around the edge of Portland. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqy4FApjwOVoI7Wpgnci7U5PtfbjCFlDsuX6Adp1i5I6dxIJ9J0sseBdBr1uPu5b5eM8i2io8rQeWmVBODo7jwDFs-u0kUdo_ytte_44v9tPru0FOEMYaSxTyy7HiveKac0WLJaWgUtfj6/s1600/02-Chesil-beach-from-Vearne-Yeates.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqy4FApjwOVoI7Wpgnci7U5PtfbjCFlDsuX6Adp1i5I6dxIJ9J0sseBdBr1uPu5b5eM8i2io8rQeWmVBODo7jwDFs-u0kUdo_ytte_44v9tPru0FOEMYaSxTyy7HiveKac0WLJaWgUtfj6/s400/02-Chesil-beach-from-Vearne-Yeates.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chesil Beach</td></tr>
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Never has a pile of stones looked so good. From the viewpoint at Verne Yeates, the 18 miles of <a href="http://www.chesilbeach.org/Chesil/" target="_blank">Chesil Beach</a> stretched out beneath us, all the way to Bridport, Dorset.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPs7AxD_DwVA_Yf-C5LF-ajNHMeOWAgHtMhXNUiAp6Z9CWN8Eekq2i-eq9wqqh-EwTpvBnP2Qp7KEyPPcWnufRAjUZQRCUq4nuQYeXbflcx0cA0eDV7ua0AStiil8q61bPeLppFdTKS9HK/s1600/03-portland-prison.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPs7AxD_DwVA_Yf-C5LF-ajNHMeOWAgHtMhXNUiAp6Z9CWN8Eekq2i-eq9wqqh-EwTpvBnP2Qp7KEyPPcWnufRAjUZQRCUq4nuQYeXbflcx0cA0eDV7ua0AStiil8q61bPeLppFdTKS9HK/s400/03-portland-prison.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Verne Prison</td></tr>
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Also visible was an <a href="http://www.isleofportlandpictures.org.uk/Army/" target="_blank">old army garrison</a> (Verne Citadel), which is now home to Verne Prison. <br />
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The prison, looking like a South American ruin, is surrounded by a deep moat on its south side filled with creeping vegetation. If only the walkway was retractable.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHyNt0-sH3Civo3uA3gBkcHGk-KG6B8N6GIyrAcdio5FqNPywamTqljyBMRTAhBFYcP4J6vkt_FtA29KUPkqHTADnHwmPFo4s3LP3evv_I11UhNBgobm_0aGdN3ZYsM2ZsQQKCeOUrgpRm/s1600/05-Admirality-Battery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHyNt0-sH3Civo3uA3gBkcHGk-KG6B8N6GIyrAcdio5FqNPywamTqljyBMRTAhBFYcP4J6vkt_FtA29KUPkqHTADnHwmPFo4s3LP3evv_I11UhNBgobm_0aGdN3ZYsM2ZsQQKCeOUrgpRm/s400/05-Admirality-Battery.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Verne High Angle Battery, Portland</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Nearby is the <a href="http://www.subterraneanhistory.co.uk/2011/03/verne-high-angle-battery-portland.html" target="_blank">Admiralty Battery</a>, dating from the 1890s. Although it still retains many historical features it works just as well as a giant abstract sculpture that you can wander about in. Like something from an apocalyptic Chelsea Flower Show, perfect circles of wild flowers push up through the concrete, against a backdrop of rust.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihUZk_yTaj7U9WtZgvHTYkR8lXPXTeezalq0FhJXLrI5MfLKfdqo1mrTkm9dwMFlp8y-L6x2Qg7pduwhlFlXZ1QwvIVo1H3EW_biQRt7DL8QpQD1XXNrfw2eRp-O1bd4Jnc6-NKwyGJuG2/s1600/07-Portland-breakwater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihUZk_yTaj7U9WtZgvHTYkR8lXPXTeezalq0FhJXLrI5MfLKfdqo1mrTkm9dwMFlp8y-L6x2Qg7pduwhlFlXZ1QwvIVo1H3EW_biQRt7DL8QpQD1XXNrfw2eRp-O1bd4Jnc6-NKwyGJuG2/s400/07-Portland-breakwater.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Portland Harbour breakwaters</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Eventually, after many photo stops, we picked up the path we were on yesterday...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-AK5wHXibOKZkjmILoxukgu-m-tSNh9ePdkSNv4j6VkK78eEiB_an7hsqGF1aIBE9f2ayrgtc8xkbvYkXuqppDZlIfzo472-FysOrN2zxbOkh8HYu-QHJodfzOLg2-2Os3BH3d85-tng_/s1600/08-Young-Offenders-fencing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-AK5wHXibOKZkjmILoxukgu-m-tSNh9ePdkSNv4j6VkK78eEiB_an7hsqGF1aIBE9f2ayrgtc8xkbvYkXuqppDZlIfzo472-FysOrN2zxbOkh8HYu-QHJodfzOLg2-2Os3BH3d85-tng_/s400/08-Young-Offenders-fencing.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HM Young Offenders Institute, Portland, Dorset</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
... and skirted around the Young Offenders Institute, heading south along the east coast.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzn2fx4vSKUJeETTgzN2xUEI0EnD-UH3GBu3AZp196p-h5KUOnMIG6W1h6vObtspx-pvm9V3xFNFI0rrUGTbgPgrQwLbVQ-0g0BrIQU9ZaBbE3JqWWeGzTqQKeXuDW2Q33Cj9EAEGmVHFw/s1600/08b-Portland-Museum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzn2fx4vSKUJeETTgzN2xUEI0EnD-UH3GBu3AZp196p-h5KUOnMIG6W1h6vObtspx-pvm9V3xFNFI0rrUGTbgPgrQwLbVQ-0g0BrIQU9ZaBbE3JqWWeGzTqQKeXuDW2Q33Cj9EAEGmVHFw/s400/08b-Portland-Museum.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Portland Museum</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Portland Museum was our first, new port of call. It's £3 to enter, and you'll find heaps of artefacts explaining the island's history.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAc1Mf_TlQad5vwOrEh1_RAKxoG72GUxgqzYySAgzTyvXTd1jDKDkKMqtVwhvdBYCNkRzfCxgvDY5QF3UL0ueyISMYlk0TFxGXaHHfcTB6NlfYkaGuRKiaYPb083JJPe7hn6ARNIQRTqh3/s1600/09-Portland-Museum-mumified-cat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAc1Mf_TlQad5vwOrEh1_RAKxoG72GUxgqzYySAgzTyvXTd1jDKDkKMqtVwhvdBYCNkRzfCxgvDY5QF3UL0ueyISMYlk0TFxGXaHHfcTB6NlfYkaGuRKiaYPb083JJPe7hn6ARNIQRTqh3/s400/09-Portland-Museum-mumified-cat.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mummified cat and rat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Including the old Portland custom of trapping a live cat in the sealed roof space of newly built houses. It was supposed to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck. This mummified specimen was found in an 18th Century cottage in the village of Easton.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRoWcMgRIpKYsgaSaKnLzOzHFsmaMb7icSDZH5QPYaUeBtdq1JWag1S2EYXQwKEG2LKT_n8TMIq0bpAkqbCnYVQrFLz8SmX9lZG9aoMvj0qd1tJQCQuYai4OoJWP3h9vFXrHQvfCA9f1rt/s1600/11-Church-Ope-Cove.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRoWcMgRIpKYsgaSaKnLzOzHFsmaMb7icSDZH5QPYaUeBtdq1JWag1S2EYXQwKEG2LKT_n8TMIq0bpAkqbCnYVQrFLz8SmX9lZG9aoMvj0qd1tJQCQuYai4OoJWP3h9vFXrHQvfCA9f1rt/s400/11-Church-Ope-Cove.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Church Ope Cove, Portland, Dorset</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
For all of Portland's amazing coastline there's only two beaches: Chesil Beach and Church Ope Cove.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUWNYUnn5vdmCD5TeveOA0mzp2sEsGMp_W2gJvhooSTmxX8PZLQHUbK0Prmp7DmNLJZS9xjdKUdVXLWRsuUMEUZLyi5VuPtIlH3F553aYTDgtLMMY5i_6lMnNMu51xr21R3wK5bzxAW3uE/s1600/12-T-Church-Ope-Cove.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUWNYUnn5vdmCD5TeveOA0mzp2sEsGMp_W2gJvhooSTmxX8PZLQHUbK0Prmp7DmNLJZS9xjdKUdVXLWRsuUMEUZLyi5VuPtIlH3F553aYTDgtLMMY5i_6lMnNMu51xr21R3wK5bzxAW3uE/s400/12-T-Church-Ope-Cove.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Church Ope Cove, Portland, Dorset</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Church Ope Cove shares very few similarities with Chesil Beach, except for its pebble shore. Modest in size, the cove is almost hidden by the sharply rising slopes that surround it. Beach huts, each with its own stone-stacked garden walls, tumble down the hillside to the beach. High above, on a rocky promontory, are the ruins of Rufus Castle.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN8jYDOQ5JUMtgzb_lZQDWwxwJvPah_Klcospz2hiHyouLXTZDzEopgfObac9zYDuDy4tnwUB4QXLwmkSgs4XFql2mI89t5C6tvvApRdHZYIQzm4zcEq4IXu-Ylj8ZDdm4SAPbx2E3a-s5/s1600/14-disused-quarries-south.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN8jYDOQ5JUMtgzb_lZQDWwxwJvPah_Klcospz2hiHyouLXTZDzEopgfObac9zYDuDy4tnwUB4QXLwmkSgs4XFql2mI89t5C6tvvApRdHZYIQzm4zcEq4IXu-Ylj8ZDdm4SAPbx2E3a-s5/s400/14-disused-quarries-south.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The path south from Church Ope Cove quickly rises to a cliff top position and undulates over boulders while tacking through low scrub. After joining the road briefly, it dips back to the sea edge, winding its way through disused quarries.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUTaJ2NvHgpkOHlwG-EJ9Gdn3EAfM1BHrVFNFBr-fWVlL3mAaTkcUNQitmzC6izuvww3znBjX5W0QIc3ZBd_AxElcZAc0KJkqNNC1xTRjZA1DVoPn7aayz9mlM4c45XrCKJt1_0QMpUA2-/s1600/15-disused-quarries-north.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUTaJ2NvHgpkOHlwG-EJ9Gdn3EAfM1BHrVFNFBr-fWVlL3mAaTkcUNQitmzC6izuvww3znBjX5W0QIc3ZBd_AxElcZAc0KJkqNNC1xTRjZA1DVoPn7aayz9mlM4c45XrCKJt1_0QMpUA2-/s400/15-disused-quarries-north.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Here, cubes of rock abound, strewn all over the place or sometimes, stacked into makeshift walls where there doesn't seem to be any need for one. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh32ckUMxIKuH8Dt6z5AEvUSZKuFO4g-4LDyXfOwjKeTFPdkgktiBec3L92G7n5HwBmrK9vN-RQK1yDGu1zxTIYv0kYTOvjbr21Fmro1dgc7N14Q1vqJ_MLmw6uIdLO8WqCfM4ZlO9iyUG_/s1600/16-Cave-Hole.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh32ckUMxIKuH8Dt6z5AEvUSZKuFO4g-4LDyXfOwjKeTFPdkgktiBec3L92G7n5HwBmrK9vN-RQK1yDGu1zxTIYv0kYTOvjbr21Fmro1dgc7N14Q1vqJ_MLmw6uIdLO8WqCfM4ZlO9iyUG_/s400/16-Cave-Hole.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cave Hole, Portland</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Further on is Cave Hole. These gouged-out recesses are popular with climbers who enjoy scrabbling about upside down, hanging from the cave's roof.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkjUAdTywz2Huuz29W8FTy0dvf06CpypMaWUmYSENO_ECYakngQoZ-Q4l1bVxaFVph1gAtT_ULIBmzTUTFQH8kaaNjB7HFMCNRJKDqBGnpLmf5ruDIc2LdIMXxn5ORW0hR1r8-Z_tvfSDY/s1600/17-The-Lobster-Pot-cream-tea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkjUAdTywz2Huuz29W8FTy0dvf06CpypMaWUmYSENO_ECYakngQoZ-Q4l1bVxaFVph1gAtT_ULIBmzTUTFQH8kaaNjB7HFMCNRJKDqBGnpLmf5ruDIc2LdIMXxn5ORW0hR1r8-Z_tvfSDY/s400/17-The-Lobster-Pot-cream-tea.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cream tea at The Lobster Pot, Portland</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
It was 5:30pm and we had only reached halfway! Luckily, we were just in time, by a matter of minutes, to order the cream tea from The Lobster Pot before they closed. The scone recipe has been handed down through generations and they were superb. The texture was more cakey than I would normally expect but nonetheless light and delicious. The generous amounts of jam and clotted cream ensured I left with an added spring in my step for the return half of our walk.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAgoaigu5jtPrzKReQJIN-3JXHVtQ-TfN6-ArZ-NW0wg5m_c0mbLtAvyTvWPBZRpFxq5ziTurj3lJYPIjagcpA14rW7c-PfV7SCC9WtGIkovQVNKIt16BoiMer-Tocjl8lMJADeczgcgi5/s1600/18-Portland-Bill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAgoaigu5jtPrzKReQJIN-3JXHVtQ-TfN6-ArZ-NW0wg5m_c0mbLtAvyTvWPBZRpFxq5ziTurj3lJYPIjagcpA14rW7c-PfV7SCC9WtGIkovQVNKIt16BoiMer-Tocjl8lMJADeczgcgi5/s400/18-Portland-Bill.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Portland Bill</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Clouds gathered as we left Portland Bill.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXZDF7eBYNXmepqAeBoki0U5-lzFxKJS45tG2crCd-7IjszJUFNJsV3w7pCnkRRx5eU4Quh8rH9PtkNMu0piDfogEE_A06q4HM8Kf4C5x8lOeVq8RvaCev6Qx9iQ6mX8ye0FNhEcEbjZYz/s1600/20-Southwell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXZDF7eBYNXmepqAeBoki0U5-lzFxKJS45tG2crCd-7IjszJUFNJsV3w7pCnkRRx5eU4Quh8rH9PtkNMu0piDfogEE_A06q4HM8Kf4C5x8lOeVq8RvaCev6Qx9iQ6mX8ye0FNhEcEbjZYz/s400/20-Southwell.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Approaching Southwell</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Practically the whole of the west coast is high cliffs, and it made for a blustery stroll northwards.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQu-BYiaiAuaJYaf77R87FBgo53gBuoIl38rlQ7fwBdpXkJtTYhb6P5FAFvTXNvs4KpuKvM2ySF2qJuwfnuQt04VJ6QWV-dpHMbpnGFJNJVL-6C2RgRrX6G99Vqi0wLPKsDkUijgRDpmYR/s1600/21-Weston-housing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQu-BYiaiAuaJYaf77R87FBgo53gBuoIl38rlQ7fwBdpXkJtTYhb6P5FAFvTXNvs4KpuKvM2ySF2qJuwfnuQt04VJ6QWV-dpHMbpnGFJNJVL-6C2RgRrX6G99Vqi0wLPKsDkUijgRDpmYR/s400/21-Weston-housing.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Weston housing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The housing on Portland is perhaps not one of its greatest assets. However, these unedifying blocks do happen to stare directly out to sea and to the distant Dorset coast.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMg1NEwiM7iSjyqt9OnUkZUozdp9BNlKbKsRm-WjbbAnxzviNc1AJUWDTJXzhyKPcbmyhjnrtlM2c6Ssyd4x_bGc5_08RIWaRex7lHfK3rDCoi2JpMjnue64E6qhKE-18vTewdzX5Q1rJE/s1600/22-West-Cliffs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMg1NEwiM7iSjyqt9OnUkZUozdp9BNlKbKsRm-WjbbAnxzviNc1AJUWDTJXzhyKPcbmyhjnrtlM2c6Ssyd4x_bGc5_08RIWaRex7lHfK3rDCoi2JpMjnue64E6qhKE-18vTewdzX5Q1rJE/s400/22-West-Cliffs.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mutton Cove</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
With the sun breaking through at Mutton Cove, T had just enough time to capture a few shots of the cliffs.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7F7bfS-kO7NKaEzqODgvfLVJFX98Ed7fyDvQHNTlm2rB2a_I7sECDwJWFYI5zFKypOCz21l2bYJJs6-grWRYCfrinIfGFXjebBDUUxlq2iYedx7_17bLLDL-LuVOdsKJkKBQkS27SUl4_/s1600/24-stone-archway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7F7bfS-kO7NKaEzqODgvfLVJFX98Ed7fyDvQHNTlm2rB2a_I7sECDwJWFYI5zFKypOCz21l2bYJJs6-grWRYCfrinIfGFXjebBDUUxlq2iYedx7_17bLLDL-LuVOdsKJkKBQkS27SUl4_/s400/24-stone-archway.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">West Cliff, Portland, Dorset</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The path hugs the cliff edge, providing some dramatic walking.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGCBuT5-VRaYIZogy81hq6Vlkn0I-yyBZJALjK7-DsbTffQj-TzzdvwXYzygfRsYzldIPPd2QtJZnSM3T0uC42-9XmyKHxkfccW2hGfdA1yznisxr7JHG2Fw8qcMKlTAF_uDg9eyyxq7ts/s1600/25-walking-west-cliffs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGCBuT5-VRaYIZogy81hq6Vlkn0I-yyBZJALjK7-DsbTffQj-TzzdvwXYzygfRsYzldIPPd2QtJZnSM3T0uC42-9XmyKHxkfccW2hGfdA1yznisxr7JHG2Fw8qcMKlTAF_uDg9eyyxq7ts/s400/25-walking-west-cliffs.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">West Cliff, Portland, Dorset</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyFN1Gqwrcd4CLA0YRoFfEWVshRW-LDDpXPf_r5jvU8g77W-YUXWlhmkzIa5rTt-xKL0TZ5094rYR7ak7X4T3FFgzslFCvLu2qbqxWGseDBMnLuEOjGEceunJ_Zpw3aPYHcJM8lnWqFKB7/s1600/27-St-George's-Church.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyFN1Gqwrcd4CLA0YRoFfEWVshRW-LDDpXPf_r5jvU8g77W-YUXWlhmkzIa5rTt-xKL0TZ5094rYR7ak7X4T3FFgzslFCvLu2qbqxWGseDBMnLuEOjGEceunJ_Zpw3aPYHcJM8lnWqFKB7/s400/27-St-George's-Church.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St George's Church, Portland</td></tr>
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A quick detour in land brought us to <a href="https://www.visitchurches.org.uk/visit/church-listing/st-george-portland.html" target="_blank">St George's Church</a>, completed in 1766. Now redundant, the church is maintained by The Churches Preservation Trust. Outside – the large churchyard is absolutely stuffed full of gravestones. Inside – the lecterns, pews and light fittings are brilliantly preserved, giving a powerful sense of the church as the focal point of a community.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx_c-p1b30zUNOWo72u9IW064mcoKPT3GYcH_-HAgKR6TXroLi1VISK_QDAf_wY0B2hjlROpzU2wJHHitwBUpEzuF8IhsRWzk8r_ohMRqvCDmvXEqgW7NupGGiDpCfXoRsb4-uEF4li1hB/s1600/28-Chesil-Beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx_c-p1b30zUNOWo72u9IW064mcoKPT3GYcH_-HAgKR6TXroLi1VISK_QDAf_wY0B2hjlROpzU2wJHHitwBUpEzuF8IhsRWzk8r_ohMRqvCDmvXEqgW7NupGGiDpCfXoRsb4-uEF4li1hB/s400/28-Chesil-Beach.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chesil Beach from West Cliff</td></tr>
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Chesil Beach returned to view as we reached the end of West Cliff, and cut back to Verne Yeates and the car.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-l0nWmR6CO488xHD_I0i-3YEXcnF9wq2OHSf7hhBb2jFwh1Ia3iIjtV8yFAOPn83wg4v5jlx-u2n_YHUauGWfaalFiJ3vJVIT7AwhXPy-nPWrNBJxhZ7ZA0757L1iZE0Ard4zlxY3eu-V/s1600/29-Chesil-Beach-sunset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-l0nWmR6CO488xHD_I0i-3YEXcnF9wq2OHSf7hhBb2jFwh1Ia3iIjtV8yFAOPn83wg4v5jlx-u2n_YHUauGWfaalFiJ3vJVIT7AwhXPy-nPWrNBJxhZ7ZA0757L1iZE0Ard4zlxY3eu-V/s400/29-Chesil-Beach-sunset.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset over Chesil Beach</td></tr>
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What an amazing island Portland is. I can't imagine that there's anywhere else quite like it. It's a place of prisons, cliffs and quarries, all visible from the coast path and it's home to the strange quirk that is Chesil Beach.TC + DChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01262527192581395294noreply@blogger.com1Portland, Dorset DT5, UK50.567189 -2.44603550.5571035 -2.465776 50.5772745 -2.4262940000000004tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4670019149002401709.post-74246935477220552492012-07-09T12:18:00.000+01:002017-05-11T13:28:11.883+01:00Portland, Dorset - day 1<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKJY_eXX2A4agJkzry5rfRyOYKPcObmbj4EhtfvECg1nBDSnmiyFpOC0jFUX47Wo0QT4s8QvkHuFnnKXyQjmLWRma37VitFhDNh6Igb_gNaJVhwGAFp-pHPd1rDhLYhYdBfH44s3P2JXmp/s1600/01-Grove-housing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKJY_eXX2A4agJkzry5rfRyOYKPcObmbj4EhtfvECg1nBDSnmiyFpOC0jFUX47Wo0QT4s8QvkHuFnnKXyQjmLWRma37VitFhDNh6Igb_gNaJVhwGAFp-pHPd1rDhLYhYdBfH44s3P2JXmp/s400/01-Grove-housing.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grove housing, Portland</td></tr>
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Yes, Portland is an island! Well, kind of. It is tied to the mainland by one of the most famous tombolos in the world: Chesil Beach. Portland's only usable link to the mainland is via the A354 that runs across a short bridge over Portland Harbour.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMe55tZGivwQXnb3j4bpY6HjM4tJj_fgzjOZywLJ7roYec8MnbYXcOYR_gNWe3IVDeZCOpPp-imWrAUO2mI7KbPqVr8mnxIWxvi_uoRH38EKl96gGkuGaYvvSxrph0uEoA2kcZ_gfvsmxd/s1600/02-Broadcroft-Quarries.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMe55tZGivwQXnb3j4bpY6HjM4tJj_fgzjOZywLJ7roYec8MnbYXcOYR_gNWe3IVDeZCOpPp-imWrAUO2mI7KbPqVr8mnxIWxvi_uoRH38EKl96gGkuGaYvvSxrph0uEoA2kcZ_gfvsmxd/s400/02-Broadcroft-Quarries.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Portland quarry</td></tr>
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Portland is full of quarries, excavating Portland stone. Many are disused now, providing a haven for wildlife among the pits and canyons.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkiX6QveNtRLq2mswpxcfPbaxAki5IhaWxRrQIs-q8w_bX74Nvt7HxvG1o_Nt2slESpKyfTwErfl4AydWiE10OI7acTMXUYBtvN_ijKGuN8wC0goKcTEbArNEC1Jmpyy4kL5MMXkPe_bjO/s1600/03-Young-Offenders-Institution.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkiX6QveNtRLq2mswpxcfPbaxAki5IhaWxRrQIs-q8w_bX74Nvt7HxvG1o_Nt2slESpKyfTwErfl4AydWiE10OI7acTMXUYBtvN_ijKGuN8wC0goKcTEbArNEC1Jmpyy4kL5MMXkPe_bjO/s400/03-Young-Offenders-Institution.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HM Young Offenders Institute</td></tr>
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There's also a few prisons. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhspPWuXHe_Ll7Rfgsx9g8ff5bEi2z8A42a6hyphenhyphenFB8VnvnlV9WLdwiaL3yOgWt-9hyphenhyphentffsZhhNreB0NBKGb8agR9MZbydiZ4wT9mBVv9HhjusKAYzettokdSvmXUQ2PN4JK1ai9Y22xwkqtl/s1600/04-east-coast-Portland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhspPWuXHe_Ll7Rfgsx9g8ff5bEi2z8A42a6hyphenhyphenFB8VnvnlV9WLdwiaL3yOgWt-9hyphenhyphentffsZhhNreB0NBKGb8agR9MZbydiZ4wT9mBVv9HhjusKAYzettokdSvmXUQ2PN4JK1ai9Y22xwkqtl/s400/04-east-coast-Portland.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">East coast of Portland, Dorset</td></tr>
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It was a two hour drive (in traffic) from the New Forest, so we came down with Liz, Justin, baby Agnes and doggy Ruth for a picnic and walk. Unfortunately, the drive was too long for the picnic morsels to survive the trip.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi33nkFHBek4V23_DqnSs5EoU3pF9w3-1L0eXxcHiNBdC-XRQz2-vhyphenhyphenSqVCecIJFJ8CB8WVrRUq_SyrT5TWtVIt1-PcmytyY6KRqkCpw7D5bWZlzzLUXZjerrEqrSSLSEKtbqTBodlvqrcs/s1600/05-Durdle-Pier.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi33nkFHBek4V23_DqnSs5EoU3pF9w3-1L0eXxcHiNBdC-XRQz2-vhyphenhyphenSqVCecIJFJ8CB8WVrRUq_SyrT5TWtVIt1-PcmytyY6KRqkCpw7D5bWZlzzLUXZjerrEqrSSLSEKtbqTBodlvqrcs/s400/05-Durdle-Pier.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grove Cliffs</td></tr>
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Much like the Isle of Wight, landslips are a feature of Portland. On Grove Cliffs, successive layers of paths take you from the cliff top to the sea. Each layer has its own character, with the lowest paths winding through boulder spills and thickets of dense shrubbery.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji_3RmduenM3-U9RGLbymklIsSIXZFxSrWyJAuRy_rarD1w9J8K1BInibUtb37LWFS4IYS9Vi-MrkesyUDpBYe2xlGNi0J4coPySuKklsVDg6lb0c5VSsKgOP6sPX2cALFM6WE18xpsqz_/s1600/07-under-east-cliffs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji_3RmduenM3-U9RGLbymklIsSIXZFxSrWyJAuRy_rarD1w9J8K1BInibUtb37LWFS4IYS9Vi-MrkesyUDpBYe2xlGNi0J4coPySuKklsVDg6lb0c5VSsKgOP6sPX2cALFM6WE18xpsqz_/s400/07-under-east-cliffs.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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We only dropped down to the second tier – a good, clear track just below short cliffs cracked with fissures.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNwnJlhzSGnv1DE2OyWoC9O8fhm4RCp5MVmBKHdhzWwggcD3LRyVB6rD1IppaejQH4vMzBCWroPBhd80Ex_3UqCF_bvXmBmtiQBpeGvNhEQMFiYP88wO-PrurwsftIYXBkg7Eqxn0WlJeI/s1600/08-Portland-breakwaters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNwnJlhzSGnv1DE2OyWoC9O8fhm4RCp5MVmBKHdhzWwggcD3LRyVB6rD1IppaejQH4vMzBCWroPBhd80Ex_3UqCF_bvXmBmtiQBpeGvNhEQMFiYP88wO-PrurwsftIYXBkg7Eqxn0WlJeI/s400/08-Portland-breakwaters.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Portland Harbour breakwaters</td></tr>
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Four huge breakwaters create Portland Harbour, two of which are included in our official OS island list.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6DLGR55iwk9oVISu4dRH5fJES0eIgWfFajVLRqTzfJQfFf68YkVOAM_N9mLtHYUVTz9TlW1SL_f4Ao7BofGGqPFhKfGmaq-Efc05pdRfb8s6Bmm3sEzUbW2pSzuWxHEeiOIDvWm7gpfYq/s1600/09-prison-wall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6DLGR55iwk9oVISu4dRH5fJES0eIgWfFajVLRqTzfJQfFf68YkVOAM_N9mLtHYUVTz9TlW1SL_f4Ao7BofGGqPFhKfGmaq-Efc05pdRfb8s6Bmm3sEzUbW2pSzuWxHEeiOIDvWm7gpfYq/s400/09-prison-wall.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HM Young Offenders Institute wall</td></tr>
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We circled back, and after a tough climb through the undergrowth we emerged by the Young Offenders Institute once more. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkRWVfALFvMY-kMi1vdJolz-d60be5oYQQH6Hdr_5BHS6LlbrqEMkbo2VfZsvgmTJ0DRnywrqAoIVrz3R_sobFZRS0WCUkisr8tapfRFB9B0USkACt_E9tU-IPVNo5tEHBsxkeLfT9ic_Q/s1600/10-Portland+Bill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkRWVfALFvMY-kMi1vdJolz-d60be5oYQQH6Hdr_5BHS6LlbrqEMkbo2VfZsvgmTJ0DRnywrqAoIVrz3R_sobFZRS0WCUkisr8tapfRFB9B0USkACt_E9tU-IPVNo5tEHBsxkeLfT9ic_Q/s400/10-Portland+Bill.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Portland Bill</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Not done yet, we drove down to Portland Bill and coughed up some coins for the parking. Still, I have to say the attractions are far better than those found at Land's End. The lighthouse itself can be visited but we were just too late.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAlycGZ8-1avfE91TCOua225w3w7MVpHnpMpj4WUlatXk313HLDRKGNKo-S0XyY8Gx7Bl4UP3OND4D3T3NXz32fZ5IYoqj8oLCkHvk6KPjchIXghvcMZlTU-lNGipO_9saCBMkItaAoYXY/s1600/12-Pulpit-Rock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAlycGZ8-1avfE91TCOua225w3w7MVpHnpMpj4WUlatXk313HLDRKGNKo-S0XyY8Gx7Bl4UP3OND4D3T3NXz32fZ5IYoqj8oLCkHvk6KPjchIXghvcMZlTU-lNGipO_9saCBMkItaAoYXY/s400/12-Pulpit-Rock.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pulpit Rock, Dorset</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Nearby is Pulpit Rock. A slab of rock, with gouged out foot holes, tipped against a bulky column of stone. It was a bit too high for any of us to give it a go.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ag6F9Z3AVti-yGwy3uzcGHCMmbrMy31VoriPySNnWdbRHn1v0WZ2wrSadsatuOyW7VzJ7j7AcGSn5vdzKPJUHTElk5IjgwUNL4rjUFbO1PdWo6_r5Yxgm86yn76GxaekUhZ9Y3yE9XUP/s1600/13-The-Lobster-Pot-hatch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ag6F9Z3AVti-yGwy3uzcGHCMmbrMy31VoriPySNnWdbRHn1v0WZ2wrSadsatuOyW7VzJ7j7AcGSn5vdzKPJUHTElk5IjgwUNL4rjUFbO1PdWo6_r5Yxgm86yn76GxaekUhZ9Y3yE9XUP/s400/13-The-Lobster-Pot-hatch.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Lobster Pot</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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And of course there's a cafe, in this case <a href="http://www.lobsterpotrestaurantportland.co.uk/home/about.php" target="_blank">The Lobster Pot</a>, serving food and drink from a hatch as well as a restaurant.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMPsK5NupADab9HJELoKwV-lr-dG6wn7MMTh1dyKV4Hf0BmnysFpZ09-JBdQTaLJqdplRd4PZi8PAYMDL8HezHtwvOr5nc65UqApvOBpdKwgW-89JGJMfqzIY_KdZQDP0Nkw4tv2YutoJU/s1600/14-T-photos-rust.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMPsK5NupADab9HJELoKwV-lr-dG6wn7MMTh1dyKV4Hf0BmnysFpZ09-JBdQTaLJqdplRd4PZi8PAYMDL8HezHtwvOr5nc65UqApvOBpdKwgW-89JGJMfqzIY_KdZQDP0Nkw4tv2YutoJU/s400/14-T-photos-rust.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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We rounded off the day, with some close-up shots of the surrounding rusting industry.TC + DChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01262527192581395294noreply@blogger.com0Portland, Dorset DT5, UK50.567189 -2.44603550.5571035 -2.465776 50.5772745 -2.4262940000000004tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4670019149002401709.post-1531232948396471912012-07-08T09:53:00.000+01:002012-07-14T13:11:17.780+01:00Foulness Island, Essex<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCxgASXEEELHp8VbLU2SNx_MRiJ9SJaUVqchHm2ruXA0eNyBJyBpUxDyfzThNuS064TViN7PDvxf3bGRjjEEicgcnIpw0Ji9CsF6eHWRlWSVPPfOrmcmF1zZr3hwHHGzGrGeYo0p0J7zCB/s1600/01-leaving-Wakering-Stairs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCxgASXEEELHp8VbLU2SNx_MRiJ9SJaUVqchHm2ruXA0eNyBJyBpUxDyfzThNuS064TViN7PDvxf3bGRjjEEicgcnIpw0Ji9CsF6eHWRlWSVPPfOrmcmF1zZr3hwHHGzGrGeYo0p0J7zCB/s400/01-leaving-Wakering-Stairs.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wakering Steps</td></tr>
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Along with a handful of other anorak clad hikers, we were picked up by coach outside the church at Great Wakering in Essex. It was 10:15 in the morning and all 30 passengers were about to be delivered to Wakering Steps. The tide was out, and we were here to walk The Broomway to Foulness Island. The Broomway is an old footpath across Maplin Sands. It is boldly marked on the OS map, but complications arise from an equally bold warning box urging potential visitors to "Seek local guidance" and to telephone the MOD regarding the Foulness Danger Area. Basically visitors are not welcome, except on the first Sunday of each month from April to October, when you can drive over to the Heritage Centre.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brian Dawson</td></tr>
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Fortunately I had come across Brian's website (<a href="http://www.wildlifetrips.org.uk/" target="_blank">www.wildlifetrips.org.uk)</a> when looking for ways to get onto Foulness Island and he happens to organise walks across The Broomway (£29 each) a few times a year. By the time I got round to booking the trip, it was full – some people had booked before Christmas, and since Robert McFarlane's Old Ways has been published, walkers are already booking up for next year. But, happily for us, a couple dropped out at the last minute enabling T and I to go.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John, The Broomway guide</td></tr>
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John is a farmer on Foulness Island and he was the man to supply the local guidance, safely leading our ragged troop across the sands, with the aid of a stick and his two kids.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking The Broomway</td></tr>
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And so we set off, beneath a glowering sky and through standing water dotted with lugworm casts. It was three miles to Asplins Head, our entry point to the island. <br />
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We passed Havengore Bridge, joining the mainland to Havengore Island and then carrying the road onto Foulness Island. The bridge opens to let boats through.<br />
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John and his children learning the mysteries of The Broomway.<br />
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Walking The Broomway was reminiscent of the pilgrims path to Lindisfarne, except for the surrounding landscape being much flatter, and there being no posts to show the route.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maplin Sands, Essex</td></tr>
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Apparently, the tide comes in at walking pace, but apart from that, the Broomway's threats seemed gentle as long as you knew the correct path. The sand was always firm, and there was no deep lying water to contend with. But maybe this was down to the expertise of our guides.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnT46ORjNgnjJOpwnYnWMKSOYvl-kBeUd0rFFKWAXEXo5QqEwJ2bMWo30Pi7sgjt1JssF7HzwCDtEOl-6NuRs1Q2PGSTCadgru7Vgb0yl06QVEis8iDuFDJp2CJyPQc0sBAryDNeRa-r8D/s1600/11-Asplins-Head.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnT46ORjNgnjJOpwnYnWMKSOYvl-kBeUd0rFFKWAXEXo5QqEwJ2bMWo30Pi7sgjt1JssF7HzwCDtEOl-6NuRs1Q2PGSTCadgru7Vgb0yl06QVEis8iDuFDJp2CJyPQc0sBAryDNeRa-r8D/s400/11-Asplins-Head.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Asplins Head, Foulness Island, Essex</td></tr>
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After a few hours of gentle walking, taking pictures and easy chatting we reached Asplins Head without any mishaps.<br />
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Observation towers rise up sporadically around Foulness Island, reminding you of the military prescence among the fields and farms.<br />
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Wheat fields and rapeseed fields seemed to be the two main crops as we walked another two miles following the footpath to Churchend.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great Burwood Farm, Foulness Island</td></tr>
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We joined the main road from the mainland for the final stretch into Churchend. Every so often a barrier would be present to halt traffic during test firing.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwEJALTyoBBww69TTHX_qAD-vTeL1A006xo55gJwcALIPm85hrzJUvokEfBNYNLzG_06z2WZVL1B8UKPDt2nfcKRdDcRrbbGfXAkJ-gFZtkkZwXQQBxXPJQTcr04ODo-jqlNou_PCYa45r/s1600/16-Churchend-Battery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwEJALTyoBBww69TTHX_qAD-vTeL1A006xo55gJwcALIPm85hrzJUvokEfBNYNLzG_06z2WZVL1B8UKPDt2nfcKRdDcRrbbGfXAkJ-gFZtkkZwXQQBxXPJQTcr04ODo-jqlNou_PCYa45r/s400/16-Churchend-Battery.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Churchend Battery, Foulness Island</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYqCTkQIHE-HlwMOwxPH0LU8ufj8i8lbLNmGe1F1cI412f3t3A4_pLSTXLdseUNZlTJxbDqEvBTu1NF5y1m6sN4ojYWR-a5Wmtf3RgtOgMtp4gwVo1V8s6DEx-dBLAf0nNV4EXYDtAVAuX/s1600/17-Churchend-house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYqCTkQIHE-HlwMOwxPH0LU8ufj8i8lbLNmGe1F1cI412f3t3A4_pLSTXLdseUNZlTJxbDqEvBTu1NF5y1m6sN4ojYWR-a5Wmtf3RgtOgMtp4gwVo1V8s6DEx-dBLAf0nNV4EXYDtAVAuX/s400/17-Churchend-house.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Churchend houses sport the traditional Essex timber cladding, but curiously have a combination of white and black sides. House martins are plentiful here, with each house having dozens of nests under the eaves. Top windows tended to have a plastic bag trapped in them to try and deter the birds from nesting above them.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4k9Th0p81nBPgacAAVoNzghuvRFGBwiTesdzWEOoBLWEAToFB7hX3UWwgP56aVhv9nkECisIyoBbwWuYCFQlIDX_ffoth55YmsMoV1WKXO2pM089ZrtEyOyFnwSKrt1PcwJCVYOPAWWko/s1600/18-Churchend-street.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4k9Th0p81nBPgacAAVoNzghuvRFGBwiTesdzWEOoBLWEAToFB7hX3UWwgP56aVhv9nkECisIyoBbwWuYCFQlIDX_ffoth55YmsMoV1WKXO2pM089ZrtEyOyFnwSKrt1PcwJCVYOPAWWko/s400/18-Churchend-street.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Churchend street</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid4QbuHUGvTh6M1jIFuN1fOWc3Qbf_VGkObVa2OluVoNPunf4vkhEmo2xFzV6Ofc2ppnK5PEqVOJ0jj6onnfGWtItDqujWMvma-fDnp-KM0Vge1YVwSImi4cl4jL2TY6Lk2dxCndfTPpoE/s1600/19-Churchend-garden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid4QbuHUGvTh6M1jIFuN1fOWc3Qbf_VGkObVa2OluVoNPunf4vkhEmo2xFzV6Ofc2ppnK5PEqVOJ0jj6onnfGWtItDqujWMvma-fDnp-KM0Vge1YVwSImi4cl4jL2TY6Lk2dxCndfTPpoE/s400/19-Churchend-garden.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Churchend open garden</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Churchend pub and church</td></tr>
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The pub and church at Churchend are both currently out of action. Visitors used to be able to get a pass onto the island if they were visiting the pub, but that's sadly finished now. The church has been bought to be turned into a community centre.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuAdVKt8egS-qbLdBWyzhl1hbzdDvG-Bj1zSuRZU7rFrW2mYwV7A3LOkiFXtSnXk0N7DJaRar_xCoQjtevDRSKRmp0PY1fG_zIMxi75ZWVP3KeSWR7oucf7Q-z0pRQyNcyqne3I9twKr1A/s1600/21-Foulness-Heritage-Centre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuAdVKt8egS-qbLdBWyzhl1hbzdDvG-Bj1zSuRZU7rFrW2mYwV7A3LOkiFXtSnXk0N7DJaRar_xCoQjtevDRSKRmp0PY1fG_zIMxi75ZWVP3KeSWR7oucf7Q-z0pRQyNcyqne3I9twKr1A/s400/21-Foulness-Heritage-Centre.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Foulness Heritage Centre</td></tr>
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The group had split into lots of smaller groups but we all eventually made it to Foulness Heritage Centre and the end of our walk. We had just enough time to scoff a sandwich and have a sit down before boarding the tractor trailer for the farm tour.<br />
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The straw bale seating was comfortably hollowed and we would be grateful later for the roof.<br />
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Peter was our next guide – he owns a farm on the island and is head of the Foulness Archaeological Society. Peter talked eloquently and amusingly about both topics. As we drove along one inland track, Peter mentioned that it used to be a sea wall, confirming that the island has grown over the years with successive sea walls and an ever-changing location for The Broomway. He also pointed out the margins of his crops, which were sown with a winter seed mix for birds, offering borage, sunflowers and kale among other plants. Rectangular pockets in the middle of his crops were for skylarks to land in, but his biggest smile of the day was reserved for the current price of rapeseed (around £350/tonne), ensuring he'd be planting much more next year.<br />
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The tractor pulled up at Fisherman's Head, the final entry point to the island from The Broomway. The trench that runs around the edge of the island was created by the removal of the earth to build the sea wall next to it.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fisherman's Head, Foulness Island, Essex</td></tr>
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We drove back to the Heritage Centre, where tea and cakes were awaiting our arrival, as well as all the museum exhibits relating to the island.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crossing onto New England Island, Essex</td></tr>
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The coach drove us off the island, across two others, through the military checkpoint and back to Great Wakering just in time to catch the disappointing end to the Wimbledon final on the car radio.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsJFEXsmEPgT5kwYqGJKorpMyJYCJG7RrzKEOzubTmp4jwxWtjv6yvCBuj1C8fVcEFCV1ebJwKjC7wBU2CBKgAl6b8YiVhKpBVA47rpxPTeqSX-TFxf8W7SqfkA0pSF2AdWp7NyHh1NFg_/s1600/29-Havengore-Island.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsJFEXsmEPgT5kwYqGJKorpMyJYCJG7RrzKEOzubTmp4jwxWtjv6yvCBuj1C8fVcEFCV1ebJwKjC7wBU2CBKgAl6b8YiVhKpBVA47rpxPTeqSX-TFxf8W7SqfkA0pSF2AdWp7NyHh1NFg_/s400/29-Havengore-Island.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moving from New England Island to Havengore Island</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha2z679EwzR0TYLukGj1sMqOt7rYn4VbQxK4Wac9bm_B62v5TNL7d8Zlst_ALCP4V5U-ubD96U6jr-3xEhsy60kxb41pbJzfmohgcV0z40mb5SJLnQ6hJtOmG3VWwvznvT9J6NS1yaOs81/s1600/30-Rushley-Island.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha2z679EwzR0TYLukGj1sMqOt7rYn4VbQxK4Wac9bm_B62v5TNL7d8Zlst_ALCP4V5U-ubD96U6jr-3xEhsy60kxb41pbJzfmohgcV0z40mb5SJLnQ6hJtOmG3VWwvznvT9J6NS1yaOs81/s400/30-Rushley-Island.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crossing Havengore Bridge, looking over to Rushley Island</td></tr>
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<br />TC + DChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01262527192581395294noreply@blogger.com0Foulness Island, United Kingdom51.5854515 0.866140851.545987 0.7871768 51.624916 0.94510480000000008tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4670019149002401709.post-15213948055899122222012-07-06T09:19:00.001+01:002012-07-06T09:21:01.379+01:00Outdoor Photography: Island Journal Pt 21<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Our recent trip to Anglesey is covered in part 21 of Tracy Hallett's
Island Journal. The article appears in<i> <a href="http://www.facebook.com/outdoorphotographymag" target="_blank">Outdoor Photography</a></i><a href="http://www.facebook.com/outdoorphotographymag" target="_blank"> </a>magazine, Issue 155, August 2012. </span></div>TC + DChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01262527192581395294noreply@blogger.com0Isle Of Anglesey, UK53.2692804 -4.321285253.1173394 -4.6371422 53.4212214 -4.0054282tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4670019149002401709.post-31833243809046044052012-05-25T10:45:00.000+01:002017-05-11T13:59:23.819+01:00Anglesey – day 7: Rhoscolyn<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYfSsk82VWspGiynxU_PajjzEXiFseod6ll9bi2I_9JkoP5bL43A6JyT_RzWkCrlSQYF21kT4Y-7djskKkKnt4fhCK3z4K-nUzt4Uz_QzCE4axDNABUWgvQ0EIKi55iYmQnADRZmr7ew6T/s1600/01-Bargains-Galore-Holyhead.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYfSsk82VWspGiynxU_PajjzEXiFseod6ll9bi2I_9JkoP5bL43A6JyT_RzWkCrlSQYF21kT4Y-7djskKkKnt4fhCK3z4K-nUzt4Uz_QzCE4axDNABUWgvQ0EIKi55iYmQnADRZmr7ew6T/s400/01-Bargains-Galore-Holyhead.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bargains Galore, Holyhead</td></tr>
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For our last full day in Wales, we caught the train to Holyhead once again. This time we had two wetsuits packed into the rucksacks in the hope of finding the perfect spot for a final dip. We had to wait a while for one of the few buses a day that would take us to Rhoscolyn, so we sat outside The Venue cafe and nursed a coffee while watching the local inhabitants. The High Street had more energy with the sun shining, everyone seemed to stop and chat to each other, everyone seemed busy. Holyhead had come alive!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYLjaaYmToV39mb_Yfm1YB0BMzxJ5J9A7dhyphenhyphenT6g-QBIac-SUoFomDcgzLogca62jNIz5pQcE4ogakMeTW4fHPeZ8INqJNQ3sSkL-g2AZp7hHQGz5OzYEyN6lBDxkVjDxBw5K5fAEethyLf/s1600/02-The-White-Eagle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYLjaaYmToV39mb_Yfm1YB0BMzxJ5J9A7dhyphenhyphenT6g-QBIac-SUoFomDcgzLogca62jNIz5pQcE4ogakMeTW4fHPeZ8INqJNQ3sSkL-g2AZp7hHQGz5OzYEyN6lBDxkVjDxBw5K5fAEethyLf/s400/02-The-White-Eagle.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The White Eagle, Rhoscolyn</td></tr>
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After being dropped at Rhoscolyn, we made our way to the beach. The famous <a href="http://www.white-eagle.co.uk/" target="_blank">White Eagle</a> was already busy as we passed at midday. On another occasion I would have been sorely tempted to see what the fuss was about, but funds were low and we had a different aim in mind.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhihqIsyJsyw4o5PRdGAiC8sdR_0PEFiT1INnDAWz2xtE40UfnC_sQxQJ_2gF0w2llaP-zc7F1W1Azaiat-kSr1MTG9G7hOgjSlGphlwvZHn-QLLlz0A3qmGZPYv0pt56Xm8xgiFIuaXcLN/s1600/03-Borthwen-Rhoscolyn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhihqIsyJsyw4o5PRdGAiC8sdR_0PEFiT1INnDAWz2xtE40UfnC_sQxQJ_2gF0w2llaP-zc7F1W1Azaiat-kSr1MTG9G7hOgjSlGphlwvZHn-QLLlz0A3qmGZPYv0pt56Xm8xgiFIuaXcLN/s400/03-Borthwen-Rhoscolyn.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beach at Borthwen</td></tr>
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For some reason we found the beach at Borthwen disappointing. Most days it would have been perfect, but we had been spoilt over the week. To make matters worse, it was busy. Again, not that busy, but for Anglesey, too busy. The place was popular with small boats and kayaks as well as sunbathers. We decided to keep the wetsuits in the bag.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKmRPXG1Nbn8jwgDFyIEpm0NZ-T5IrczQDyo4yU6DXN9Y60Su6eOLeYPrZY_xF9MzGe902SEo5QRooD5T6dOW0gqe0YYapD3LTDH9uFhagHJ-8auEVpYU68C7IUbBV1wxzts_j75WGy85F/s1600/05-Ynys-Traws.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKmRPXG1Nbn8jwgDFyIEpm0NZ-T5IrczQDyo4yU6DXN9Y60Su6eOLeYPrZY_xF9MzGe902SEo5QRooD5T6dOW0gqe0YYapD3LTDH9uFhagHJ-8auEVpYU68C7IUbBV1wxzts_j75WGy85F/s400/05-Ynys-Traws.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ynys Traws</td></tr>
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The island of Ynys Traws provides a nice focal point to Borthwen bay.<br />
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We sat under a sheltering tree and enjoyed the cool breeze as we ate our lunch, before heading off on the coastal path.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBkw-oZ-NHo5XDoUjkeJFgZ4zoqtSfHtcHNii1mLj7uZPRn6LdPRrs6xWDiwgo5T02HCr1s-4fpITPnx3ThOWMpWezGdwEW7tuqC3a3rDwHC7eRWEYvd0QJPy-anbRPCQvDuKuGEbog8tw/s1600/07-Porth-y-Corwgl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBkw-oZ-NHo5XDoUjkeJFgZ4zoqtSfHtcHNii1mLj7uZPRn6LdPRrs6xWDiwgo5T02HCr1s-4fpITPnx3ThOWMpWezGdwEW7tuqC3a3rDwHC7eRWEYvd0QJPy-anbRPCQvDuKuGEbog8tw/s400/07-Porth-y-Corwgl.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Porth y Corwgl</td></tr>
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But we didn't go far. As soon as we picked up the path we found exactly what we were looking for: a sheltered, shallow cove, framed with craggy rocks that would be ideal for snorkelling. Porth y Corwgl could have been airlifted from Greece and no one was on it.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGe-0DZV4EgFhR6IPPm39prUu_eu8z1l6n3MCVnHVbG5avUPUITttVB_-O5rx6xilBgpj5kYRDK0w239Zhw-KHlDFlbKoxygw6VFPMm42s0g_dnf9cMykB0FRLDnx7dQzGIsrKiMVhOZd3/s1600/08-Ynys-Traws.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGe-0DZV4EgFhR6IPPm39prUu_eu8z1l6n3MCVnHVbG5avUPUITttVB_-O5rx6xilBgpj5kYRDK0w239Zhw-KHlDFlbKoxygw6VFPMm42s0g_dnf9cMykB0FRLDnx7dQzGIsrKiMVhOZd3/s400/08-Ynys-Traws.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ynys Traws</td></tr>
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But before I could unleash the wetsuits a charming old lady called me over from the terrace of her house. I thought she was going to say the beach was private, but she did nothing of the sort. In fact, after a brief chat she asked if we'd like to see her garden, which happened to be an island, Ynys Defaid. It is private, and the family leave it to run its course for the wildlife. As soon as we stepped through the gate, the low blackthorn was covered in webs, probably from moths. It also gave a great view of nearby Ynys Traws, which she called Rat Island, apparently due to its shape rather than its inhabitants.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbmVnfC3lxLqiAQ56MtOhMg53pT3ssP2zPI4M4VJV3KXUivsFlVUtJhXpY6FkohB6UHPCfTWOhHRJPtU9uXEk1wNHc7EgF0xHFWboJhrilcjCmYjbmdNntXhRt7Pv8epez2Kv2WC7Msxqn/s1600/09-T-crossing-the-divide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbmVnfC3lxLqiAQ56MtOhMg53pT3ssP2zPI4M4VJV3KXUivsFlVUtJhXpY6FkohB6UHPCfTWOhHRJPtU9uXEk1wNHc7EgF0xHFWboJhrilcjCmYjbmdNntXhRt7Pv8epez2Kv2WC7Msxqn/s400/09-T-crossing-the-divide.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">T crosses to Ynys Defaid</td></tr>
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This short bridge and gate carries the dividing channel. T stands on the far side, which certainly looked like an island and may be called Ynys Defaid.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigfw1xuyqMW7hSK0lyPgp0F-hWpHNqNxOOeW6jN7-LUpLzcN6PLNKbW0MRkdKu427V0I1CCAHSLdPJuTqYdw8j4hi46LzmcK_aUq0zRwYaDVNjITkeKiMZvPSrxOCRWlEQ8AkLE0tbrdw8/s1600/10-Porth-y-Corwgl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigfw1xuyqMW7hSK0lyPgp0F-hWpHNqNxOOeW6jN7-LUpLzcN6PLNKbW0MRkdKu427V0I1CCAHSLdPJuTqYdw8j4hi46LzmcK_aUq0zRwYaDVNjITkeKiMZvPSrxOCRWlEQ8AkLE0tbrdw8/s400/10-Porth-y-Corwgl.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ynys Defaid</td></tr>
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This must be the most perfect spot for a house. Out on its own spit, with its own island, sandwiched between two bays. As we explored, the red arrows gave a spectacular performance overhead in practice for the jubilee celebrations.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglLg5kObR4-DLntX1qihQ5GfpYgNyKGWMDJzg9PJE8AH87RTLLfELsnNXc-4GTwinEY_OfHvQ3hmGsEVOzbNuMYFAECYIPjALNh_Q2ZVCgx3ptYIxubM03mt9ZHBExivHSUNIJsMRCo9VV/s1600/12-Rhoscolyn-Beacon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglLg5kObR4-DLntX1qihQ5GfpYgNyKGWMDJzg9PJE8AH87RTLLfELsnNXc-4GTwinEY_OfHvQ3hmGsEVOzbNuMYFAECYIPjALNh_Q2ZVCgx3ptYIxubM03mt9ZHBExivHSUNIJsMRCo9VV/s400/12-Rhoscolyn-Beacon.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rhoscolyn Beacon</td></tr>
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Rhoscolyn Beacon stood serenely on its rock. Our host remembered the American soldiers shooting their guns at it during WWII, to no effect. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggJ5Y4sJXn-BoVVhtR1Qbv17fmheUacJNpcudnJ7eSw141YHIRNGFaLdU1OccAjpXI_zutzWXsN7oENPlwdQrvCcWohH1M9zu8wsh3-4EkGwVibOluRb4B6BkSynuoSoyFq4yZO5Nc90eH/s1600/13-T-on-island.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggJ5Y4sJXn-BoVVhtR1Qbv17fmheUacJNpcudnJ7eSw141YHIRNGFaLdU1OccAjpXI_zutzWXsN7oENPlwdQrvCcWohH1M9zu8wsh3-4EkGwVibOluRb4B6BkSynuoSoyFq4yZO5Nc90eH/s400/13-T-on-island.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ynys Defaid observation tower</td></tr>
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An observation tower is at the end of Ynys Defaid, looking out across the sea.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7BgZfNMYuqI5yAjHxq3g8M1buQgOPm6nOh0BlS8LM23w_TO26fmlUfr-NWOHCSlPepPWZVO9dIvDtVQyG6SsJvX6apg7p4c-A2EeQ-kKIQ37TuE8-18SHixZL0f3-0JSRY2-KucanNCb_/s1600/14-Team-Snorkel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7BgZfNMYuqI5yAjHxq3g8M1buQgOPm6nOh0BlS8LM23w_TO26fmlUfr-NWOHCSlPepPWZVO9dIvDtVQyG6SsJvX6apg7p4c-A2EeQ-kKIQ37TuE8-18SHixZL0f3-0JSRY2-KucanNCb_/s400/14-Team-Snorkel.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Post-snorkel</td></tr>
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After that unexpected highlight, we readied ourselves for the water. It was so hot in the cove that at one point we didn't think we'd need the wetsuits. That thought lasted for as long as it took to get our feet in. The water was freezing. Once in, we discovered scores of tiny jellyfish, freshly hatched I guess, moving around in the cove's margins. Their tentacles were like silk threads and their translucent caps pulsed like Christmas decorations in the sunlight. They were mesmerising but also slightly appalling in their lack of control, near invisibility and potential to sting. Just as I was getting out I saw the mother-ship, bobbing in the shallows like a plastic bag.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyLAUvGCgvu348OfbsRfYT9xNFVqxGGQ83XlRsif5twj2vkHfL8HmoOzrWaKD33KQEKKebO-0NBneVFH_Z78ULKZoF4PPzdaH6Z0b3eqcIlU1Zk2adolDFHsGNBxfQuSbzz-EANqSOfzfi/s1600/15-arch-at-Bwa-Gwyn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyLAUvGCgvu348OfbsRfYT9xNFVqxGGQ83XlRsif5twj2vkHfL8HmoOzrWaKD33KQEKKebO-0NBneVFH_Z78ULKZoF4PPzdaH6Z0b3eqcIlU1Zk2adolDFHsGNBxfQuSbzz-EANqSOfzfi/s400/15-arch-at-Bwa-Gwyn.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Cooled down and invigorated, we were ready to hit the path to Trearddur Bay. It seemed a long way in the heat of the afternoon, but the coastline was spectacular.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQFRhk9crP8ExbGoy-N8qa2XyEtNsmqhjHoKmDtZVbhEE-pOUun3QUDkukbit1ExW4Me1KKza6pf87bbkuqXI7hl5dI_7h5VPRJaNFOPYx5rAWqjB714XxNZJeVkTTUFtVmM_dM3pAD_f1/s1600/16-caravan-park.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQFRhk9crP8ExbGoy-N8qa2XyEtNsmqhjHoKmDtZVbhEE-pOUun3QUDkukbit1ExW4Me1KKza6pf87bbkuqXI7hl5dI_7h5VPRJaNFOPYx5rAWqjB714XxNZJeVkTTUFtVmM_dM3pAD_f1/s400/16-caravan-park.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Porth-y-Garan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Near Porth-y-Garan a rash of static caravans have spread to the very edge of the island.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCpCInh8LelQjDiqgJyafG_qbdK7774ATiXZxZM_epD_EymxtCfgQ5ztbPd-7s63NWdQ2FtjTZszuYz5oIEcdX7Vk8HGe2m_b5rXECAVfuF-PxZTnwJraP4CC0UK_lxSP2sM4QOH4F8xKH/s1600/17-Seacroft-bar-snacks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCpCInh8LelQjDiqgJyafG_qbdK7774ATiXZxZM_epD_EymxtCfgQ5ztbPd-7s63NWdQ2FtjTZszuYz5oIEcdX7Vk8HGe2m_b5rXECAVfuF-PxZTnwJraP4CC0UK_lxSP2sM4QOH4F8xKH/s400/17-Seacroft-bar-snacks.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Seacroft bar snacks</td></tr>
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The final stretch of the coastal path follows the road into Trearddur Bay. <a href="http://www.theseacroft.com/" target="_blank">The Seacroft</a> offered some much needed refreshment.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMX1ioxfMu3KCQf5jZlk0ZWkrYPWQ6moRSywlepnWKn3TQOkHfotfrLXvRmg7QrlgSBEB1VchfvcY3tPev15Jii1EY3M0tkpRjC1OTAtsYU7BDW3RXjRWJKZlLcNNxc77wGuM1zFWUbgb3/s1600/18-Treaddur-Bay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMX1ioxfMu3KCQf5jZlk0ZWkrYPWQ6moRSywlepnWKn3TQOkHfotfrLXvRmg7QrlgSBEB1VchfvcY3tPev15Jii1EY3M0tkpRjC1OTAtsYU7BDW3RXjRWJKZlLcNNxc77wGuM1zFWUbgb3/s400/18-Treaddur-Bay.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trearddur Bay</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Trearddur Bay was nice, but we definitely made the right decision to snorkel at Rhoscolyn. Ironically, as T walked along the beach she stepped on a tiny jellyfish and proved that they do sting.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzwUEHhwQXe-jM_PKZvU4jGpHyk-V5FujhcyDq6v8k30LAUO7iH_MMQAAZH0cIcyfBx87FF-83gzu45eJmqKsdOLFjr4-sMPV8Cil7La1hVFW9xvfv8zYYSGTd_SB5GQ3eaZOMhqoo-lJu/s1600/19-Treaddur-Bay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzwUEHhwQXe-jM_PKZvU4jGpHyk-V5FujhcyDq6v8k30LAUO7iH_MMQAAZH0cIcyfBx87FF-83gzu45eJmqKsdOLFjr4-sMPV8Cil7La1hVFW9xvfv8zYYSGTd_SB5GQ3eaZOMhqoo-lJu/s400/19-Treaddur-Bay.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trearddur Bay</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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We caught the bus back to Holyhead and the train back to Rhosneigr for our last night on Anglesey. It had been a brilliant, if exhausting week, that had surpassed our expectations. It had become one of our favourite islands and we still hadn't seen anything of the interior, the north or the east. As we always seem to find ourselves saying, we will have to come back.<br />
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<br />TC + DChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01262527192581395294noreply@blogger.com1Rhoscolyn, Isle Of Anglesey LL65, UK53.250164 -4.5968653.212162 -4.675824 53.288166 -4.517896tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4670019149002401709.post-75519100314537367992012-05-24T09:51:00.000+01:002017-05-11T14:51:38.253+01:00Anglesey – day 6: Beaumaris<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM15y4AKB8SkQtqgAx6KHy34wwrDultsI_osZJVGf1hvmp2hXzkg6Qy-0qc-lUPsKiVXckFEcNzrG3hy-hm5Tb07_5wZRm7cPZ-GXFW_zke0iBCVYAI-_LWcxvl9y93W_cl-Vu8TyNXY0r/s1600/01-Puffin-Island-booth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM15y4AKB8SkQtqgAx6KHy34wwrDultsI_osZJVGf1hvmp2hXzkg6Qy-0qc-lUPsKiVXckFEcNzrG3hy-hm5Tb07_5wZRm7cPZ-GXFW_zke0iBCVYAI-_LWcxvl9y93W_cl-Vu8TyNXY0r/s400/01-Puffin-Island-booth.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Puffin Island ticket booths</td></tr>
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Beaumaris, why had it taken us so long to visit? Just when we were thinking Anglesey didn't have any great cafes to offer, or delis or butchers or ice cream parlours, it turns out they're all found in one place: Beaumaris. But first things first, we were here to visit Puffin Island, a short boat ride away on <a href="http://www.starida.co.uk/" target="_blank">The Island Princess</a>.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9RDbJHsTOmyo1UfGQ8zYIFIEXdp7O-3Cc5pBnsZ180VA7vOdjyHQ4oDLZP6dXEFpKQ1O0zIXMo8pTT9BH-Kh7mr-YNlnjiv6a9yZ5f97klUSKsj5DrkxAKZgc_k17IlXJ3eBOuXrhKmlv/s1600/02-Beaumaris-beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9RDbJHsTOmyo1UfGQ8zYIFIEXdp7O-3Cc5pBnsZ180VA7vOdjyHQ4oDLZP6dXEFpKQ1O0zIXMo8pTT9BH-Kh7mr-YNlnjiv6a9yZ5f97klUSKsj5DrkxAKZgc_k17IlXJ3eBOuXrhKmlv/s400/02-Beaumaris-beach.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beaumaris beach</td></tr>
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We congregated on the pier for our 12:15 departure. Adult tickets cost £8.<br />
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Sunny and still, it was perfect for a pleasure cruise. The vessel hugged the Anglesey coastline, but we also looked over to the dramatic mountains of mainland Wales.<br />
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The tilting layers of rock are covered in greenery. Guillemots nest on the cliff shelfs and puffins nest in burrows higher up.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw56YmZXyIsWF34OIeR4Z4DBkhouMTg4iyhHYW7WUPsnM5BvZGWVA0mFRNfYooVKhBqvZ-5BSkkdhLdDrW8nAKIF3yjmStVriYvHJ7rPvTjMM0aUigltcoypAcKxmXyU_IZvRD0m1H5KmI/s1600/06-Puffin-Island.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw56YmZXyIsWF34OIeR4Z4DBkhouMTg4iyhHYW7WUPsnM5BvZGWVA0mFRNfYooVKhBqvZ-5BSkkdhLdDrW8nAKIF3yjmStVriYvHJ7rPvTjMM0aUigltcoypAcKxmXyU_IZvRD0m1H5KmI/s400/06-Puffin-Island.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
It was busy out there with lots of other boats. Three kayakers cavorted with a seal as we rounded the far tip of the island.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi05_PfUQOF9OCIgDMEybBSQthxQzLbRrXhAvQoBmK_BCuADe3GwaJsfBQZDzd70vROPC82PczwMkBOYG3DELZ81Hbh6PMMdVM7SuXNG2DoTFZlTrc8Cy5QqmKBg7xDEdDJ-8QlHJqJa_eO/s1600/07-Puffin-Island.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi05_PfUQOF9OCIgDMEybBSQthxQzLbRrXhAvQoBmK_BCuADe3GwaJsfBQZDzd70vROPC82PczwMkBOYG3DELZ81Hbh6PMMdVM7SuXNG2DoTFZlTrc8Cy5QqmKBg7xDEdDJ-8QlHJqJa_eO/s400/07-Puffin-Island.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The trip could've lasted a bit longer, as we never seemed to pause long enough to view the wildlife.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9eoRA_xQ5hf6faDUBngFotRbnm4Q-rEgQiH_HMwtCT4GuCioWq_dvYlV7bqSk1EPdmtbYZwwchuuTCiE2UV3-twtuDGMBlv0t9YiwBgh6usqebH6KYvHtjgfKnbNj0hodmE_6acsyPIfW/s1600/10-Puffin-Island.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9eoRA_xQ5hf6faDUBngFotRbnm4Q-rEgQiH_HMwtCT4GuCioWq_dvYlV7bqSk1EPdmtbYZwwchuuTCiE2UV3-twtuDGMBlv0t9YiwBgh6usqebH6KYvHtjgfKnbNj0hodmE_6acsyPIfW/s400/10-Puffin-Island.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Puffin Island</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
A quick lap and we were homeward bound, looking back on the handsome island, with its exposed hem of rock encircling its rising mound of green.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq17UOD13uD16oCAyTlGij8VY0bVNa53aMSgnVl2KYFHhjdTKYIU22BhoSXzmpMij3uvyAY2kfMDd0UVwLvoZMh2WSiB3TlvbXypNEMG6NjwxmoVyaN5qWv-gr2OCJOxonOAdhKIaJ3YEI/s1600/11-Island-Princess-docking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq17UOD13uD16oCAyTlGij8VY0bVNa53aMSgnVl2KYFHhjdTKYIU22BhoSXzmpMij3uvyAY2kfMDd0UVwLvoZMh2WSiB3TlvbXypNEMG6NjwxmoVyaN5qWv-gr2OCJOxonOAdhKIaJ3YEI/s400/11-Island-Princess-docking.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Island Princess</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqZbZ5g98wuBvkV5vA3XWwxyIPU9A4k2BAG_bCfFWw1x8H-a1Kdlj4qHmzAlp1B5R_JMMc-idLvT3RyCthkMkS49OOrZZE-J2S6kKoUxFmPo4kgiDkdtQu28G1DASiXfPcxnRf1SRr5xoi/s1600/12-Church-St-Beaumaris.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqZbZ5g98wuBvkV5vA3XWwxyIPU9A4k2BAG_bCfFWw1x8H-a1Kdlj4qHmzAlp1B5R_JMMc-idLvT3RyCthkMkS49OOrZZE-J2S6kKoUxFmPo4kgiDkdtQu28G1DASiXfPcxnRf1SRr5xoi/s400/12-Church-St-Beaumaris.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Church Street, Beaumaris</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
A very pleasant afternoon can be spent idly wandering about the historic buildings and interesting shops of Beaumaris.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4yzfCf-OeGwzJs6xkNkk6SI6A7QMDZRNh_Djj_K9uNs0HPbu4dJyG3zyRE6dtYAH-uiGf9Nc9nBg7RaK0vuNBgkjFOmB1pbhLuav4BWZxeAM_t7iTSepm7TRTWtwvDeSzUT8k-RnHt9fJ/s1600/13-lunch-at-Sarahs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4yzfCf-OeGwzJs6xkNkk6SI6A7QMDZRNh_Djj_K9uNs0HPbu4dJyG3zyRE6dtYAH-uiGf9Nc9nBg7RaK0vuNBgkjFOmB1pbhLuav4BWZxeAM_t7iTSepm7TRTWtwvDeSzUT8k-RnHt9fJ/s400/13-lunch-at-Sarahs.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sarah's Delicatessen, Beaumaris</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We had already eyed up Sarah's Delicatessen for lunch, and we weren't
disappointed. One delicious lamb kofta flatbread and one Greek salad
later, and we were ready for the castle.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX9P7JufscK7695cnVnHvw5vk7J-22Rinu26-x9Ehw-515m8Opp1npZtMBdmkJXdcJJzvg2ODQV1cLso1PPyNW9iHtnzXQr4dP9ShGqWe-v99ipfi30svu9cAe9S0zgPiYLuG2501eNllC/s1600/14-Beaumaris-Castle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX9P7JufscK7695cnVnHvw5vk7J-22Rinu26-x9Ehw-515m8Opp1npZtMBdmkJXdcJJzvg2ODQV1cLso1PPyNW9iHtnzXQr4dP9ShGqWe-v99ipfi30svu9cAe9S0zgPiYLuG2501eNllC/s400/14-Beaumaris-Castle.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beaumaris Castle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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We're not huge fans of castles, although we often find ourselves exploring them, but <a href="http://www.beaumaris.com/" target="_blank">Beaumaris Castle</a> is well worth a visit. It looks like a castle should look, with upright, intact walls, a sprinkling of towers and countless dingy corridors to explore. What's more, you can walk along the top of the walls to take in the castle's magnificent location.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0YLMr1yfY_IceqfCT-cvDy3oBuFa-r0sdQ_DVFnSyBqLMn3HaaGDHhXffjKkuUnlFUm6ejPlOkbuCjAELpjnnQNXjKkLHkZ8MqlGM9LgLIz3Jm4UHHRfkyZ9b34GsSVTZkaTEoBms0DH9/s1600/14b-Beaumaris-Castle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0YLMr1yfY_IceqfCT-cvDy3oBuFa-r0sdQ_DVFnSyBqLMn3HaaGDHhXffjKkuUnlFUm6ejPlOkbuCjAELpjnnQNXjKkLHkZ8MqlGM9LgLIz3Jm4UHHRfkyZ9b34GsSVTZkaTEoBms0DH9/s400/14b-Beaumaris-Castle.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beaumaris Castle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2TUb3WwZzyJLgtEvnfVVrCTOeD-iAePQyAIyrrQKeVoi_u2edp9Jve_FOcBIFrMJf-imMTsexsS9VYq2EyV25Fye8rSPAJKOHUm9Mh9EbA7C5P2PzCfY6y-6NqyrwDcJ7xAU0Y_uhbxNs/s1600/15-Beaumaris-Castle-wall-walk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2TUb3WwZzyJLgtEvnfVVrCTOeD-iAePQyAIyrrQKeVoi_u2edp9Jve_FOcBIFrMJf-imMTsexsS9VYq2EyV25Fye8rSPAJKOHUm9Mh9EbA7C5P2PzCfY6y-6NqyrwDcJ7xAU0Y_uhbxNs/s400/15-Beaumaris-Castle-wall-walk.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beaumaris Castle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTqRML2ZE0TDnA2zPfTndK2b4dnf-lb1OqzwPR0SIHg17w7U-jklBrT2rYYsCEnHpdjXlr8QGEhHjpRnNcw-WKMLT9VZgfSwnVTy1khWKZaMZTUbTNVl6OLEvmczU3DCphAykgYF3W_k-P/s1600/18-Puffin-Island-from-Beaumaris.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTqRML2ZE0TDnA2zPfTndK2b4dnf-lb1OqzwPR0SIHg17w7U-jklBrT2rYYsCEnHpdjXlr8QGEhHjpRnNcw-WKMLT9VZgfSwnVTy1khWKZaMZTUbTNVl6OLEvmczU3DCphAykgYF3W_k-P/s400/18-Puffin-Island-from-Beaumaris.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
We managed to get a final look at Puffin Island before the bus came to whisk us back to Rhosneigr.TC + DChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01262527192581395294noreply@blogger.com0Beaumaris, Isle Of Anglesey LL58, UK53.265865 -4.0919953.256367999999995 -4.111731 53.275362 -4.072249tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4670019149002401709.post-16979170086833917912012-05-23T20:05:00.000+01:002012-06-29T11:53:01.858+01:00Anglesey – day 5: Llanddwyn Island (Ynys Llanddwyn)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IXGg3DiWS44/T-i1JLRupOI/AAAAAAAACYs/JjueuTGsJ60/s1600/01-walking-to-Newborough-Forest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IXGg3DiWS44/T-i1JLRupOI/AAAAAAAACYs/JjueuTGsJ60/s400/01-walking-to-Newborough-Forest.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Two buses took us to Newborough village via Aberffraw. From there we took the pretty footpath to Newborough Forest, which borders the huge dune system of Newborough Warren.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IXy-9Mbx9Ow/T-i1K5UeuwI/AAAAAAAACY0/iG-K3lHBvG0/s1600/02-Newborough-Forest-path.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IXy-9Mbx9Ow/T-i1K5UeuwI/AAAAAAAACY0/iG-K3lHBvG0/s400/02-Newborough-Forest-path.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Newborough Forest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Clear paths criss-cross the forest – perfect for cyclists and horse riders. The forest is home to a large population of red squirrels, but we didn't see any.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ebD0Xq7aezM/T-i1MdNtm1I/AAAAAAAACY8/JLk9C6vLFm0/s1600/03-Newborough-Forest-hawthorn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ebD0Xq7aezM/T-i1MdNtm1I/AAAAAAAACY8/JLk9C6vLFm0/s400/03-Newborough-Forest-hawthorn.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Newborough Forest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RLUj8u3ETWQ/T-i1OMeK_xI/AAAAAAAACZE/jtxtZbIx8YM/s1600/04-T-photographing-Newborough-Forest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RLUj8u3ETWQ/T-i1OMeK_xI/AAAAAAAACZE/jtxtZbIx8YM/s400/04-T-photographing-Newborough-Forest.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVj8wxd_6nRTEe_g5xFPbDr19gFzTC1sSr_mWaW2SbJvtPiJtPUIT_Z4dnHuOWW9yV8sSVPDdXhPRTwE0v_hdrxVyJhN3SGEnPE0JfbqeF9WgA1pbxIs8oCT3_8jLyNQ0qAiu5TGsz8FPR/s1600/05-Newborough-Forest-beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVj8wxd_6nRTEe_g5xFPbDr19gFzTC1sSr_mWaW2SbJvtPiJtPUIT_Z4dnHuOWW9yV8sSVPDdXhPRTwE0v_hdrxVyJhN3SGEnPE0JfbqeF9WgA1pbxIs8oCT3_8jLyNQ0qAiu5TGsz8FPR/s400/05-Newborough-Forest-beach.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The track eventually weaves through the woods and down to the beach.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi86uRjtzf2-KdlhxKnbO2rvPF3cy99t7Rlkrn5BkmG71WtyXGLLKEd1Zr7XOmGwJ2fuzx3WvW4lOKaAuWj3nNx0Xmhv09dmuHnGKrYwcWHeGFtaHZVhetEKPS8jXTp4fEYMSFmGz0ieBe6/s1600/06-llanddwyn-bay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi86uRjtzf2-KdlhxKnbO2rvPF3cy99t7Rlkrn5BkmG71WtyXGLLKEd1Zr7XOmGwJ2fuzx3WvW4lOKaAuWj3nNx0Xmhv09dmuHnGKrYwcWHeGFtaHZVhetEKPS8jXTp4fEYMSFmGz0ieBe6/s400/06-llanddwyn-bay.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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And what a beach – a beautiful white crescent rimmed with pines...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-96oX9bNG-Ac/T-i1SlVGtvI/AAAAAAAACZc/DrpkwFIBKU8/s1600/07-beach-to-Llanddwyn-Island.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-96oX9bNG-Ac/T-i1SlVGtvI/AAAAAAAACZc/DrpkwFIBKU8/s400/07-beach-to-Llanddwyn-Island.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
...that curls round to Llanddwyn Island.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IWUf3J2cLIU/T-i1T5QFs5I/AAAAAAAACZk/8zmM8kSDwBw/s1600/08-Malltreath+Bay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IWUf3J2cLIU/T-i1T5QFs5I/AAAAAAAACZk/8zmM8kSDwBw/s400/08-Malltreath+Bay.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Malltraeth Bay</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Another wonderful beach runs along Malltraeth Bay.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TjGluJFmXcM/T-i1VM3MmQI/AAAAAAAACZs/Bqy3pR1MV3U/s1600/09-Llanddwyn-Island.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TjGluJFmXcM/T-i1VM3MmQI/AAAAAAAACZs/Bqy3pR1MV3U/s400/09-Llanddwyn-Island.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Llanddwyn Island</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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It's only a short crossing, when the tides out, to Llanddwyn Island.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K0IOLJ9nrb0/T-i1WjiWkNI/AAAAAAAACZ0/TBKDmEBeWoc/s1600/10-cut-path-Llanddwyn-Island.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K0IOLJ9nrb0/T-i1WjiWkNI/AAAAAAAACZ0/TBKDmEBeWoc/s400/10-cut-path-Llanddwyn-Island.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Llanddwyn Island, west side</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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A clear path runs around the edge and through the middle of this sizeable island.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnU9TWoIfDI1eyLpEP5EZuhfhvdbGmrQ11oEkOIYVGEBNLZHFKBTRuwzSjNZX0XwR51xF70Ie-HbkXZt3-LtVxJ2VR9p3p-tRhQb2lIfuG2FYQsKCnr4CpdlkNEIFx8AgGcWqvQsu4LChz/s1600/11-Llanddwyn-Island-cove.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnU9TWoIfDI1eyLpEP5EZuhfhvdbGmrQ11oEkOIYVGEBNLZHFKBTRuwzSjNZX0XwR51xF70Ie-HbkXZt3-LtVxJ2VR9p3p-tRhQb2lIfuG2FYQsKCnr4CpdlkNEIFx8AgGcWqvQsu4LChz/s400/11-Llanddwyn-Island-cove.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Llanddwyn Island</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4SExKzeGuqE/T-i1ZM5wV-I/AAAAAAAACaE/sxGP47WHWiw/s1600/12-Llanddwyn-Island-ruins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4SExKzeGuqE/T-i1ZM5wV-I/AAAAAAAACaE/sxGP47WHWiw/s400/12-Llanddwyn-Island-ruins.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Llanddwyn Island chapel ruins</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GgnGLcr62Lg/T-i1aa0CQkI/AAAAAAAACaM/3fm-b7wAias/s1600/13-Llanddwyn-Island-lighthouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GgnGLcr62Lg/T-i1aa0CQkI/AAAAAAAACaM/3fm-b7wAias/s400/13-Llanddwyn-Island-lighthouse.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Llanddwyn Island lighthouse</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zib3xFps9_Y/T-i1b8s7-uI/AAAAAAAACaQ/6Sv9Ey4YS-E/s1600/14-Llanddwyn-Island-tower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zib3xFps9_Y/T-i1b8s7-uI/AAAAAAAACaQ/6Sv9Ey4YS-E/s400/14-Llanddwyn-Island-tower.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Llanddwyn Island tower</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZbjrUrRlR9g/T-i1dR1eX1I/AAAAAAAACac/MY0IY6pywns/s1600/15-Llanddwyn-Island-beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZbjrUrRlR9g/T-i1dR1eX1I/AAAAAAAACac/MY0IY6pywns/s400/15-Llanddwyn-Island-beach.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The sheltered beach by the tower looked ideal for swimming, and we weren't alone in the thought. It wasn't quite as busy as it looks because this was a school party on a field trip.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sS-X2F5jzNM/T-i1fPFTwnI/AAAAAAAACak/SHQD7d2DLBk/s1600/16-Llanddwyn-Island-tower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sS-X2F5jzNM/T-i1fPFTwnI/AAAAAAAACak/SHQD7d2DLBk/s400/16-Llanddwyn-Island-tower.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Llanddwyn Island tower beach</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FTxegbObEnI/T-i1gH-yR0I/AAAAAAAACas/1-bD3mdSCnQ/s1600/17-Llanddwyn-Island-beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FTxegbObEnI/T-i1gH-yR0I/AAAAAAAACas/1-bD3mdSCnQ/s400/17-Llanddwyn-Island-beach.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Llanddwyn Island, east side</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YkHdI3YAcxY/T-i1hFQdfqI/AAAAAAAACaw/hc2QV2oKAt0/s1600/18-Llanddwyn-Island-interior.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YkHdI3YAcxY/T-i1hFQdfqI/AAAAAAAACaw/hc2QV2oKAt0/s400/18-Llanddwyn-Island-interior.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Llanddwyn Island interior</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zjtKUzdWr7g/T-i1ioxM5kI/AAAAAAAACa8/4SlvXJPGER4/s1600/19-thrift-path.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zjtKUzdWr7g/T-i1ioxM5kI/AAAAAAAACa8/4SlvXJPGER4/s400/19-thrift-path.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
After walking back to Newborough we caught the bus to Aberffraw, but there was no connection to Rhosneigr this time. So it was a long walk home along the coast.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eskH2GU18vk/T-i1j0YSpFI/AAAAAAAACbE/JuNqdoaSqvE/s1600/20-Ynys-Meibion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eskH2GU18vk/T-i1j0YSpFI/AAAAAAAACbE/JuNqdoaSqvE/s400/20-Ynys-Meibion.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ynys Meibion</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We had to settle for a long distance view of Ynys Meibion as the coastal path took us the other side of the Motor Racing Circuit.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-In48D8KpCuY/T-i1lP5fxGI/AAAAAAAACbM/On4Kd2juDI8/s1600/21-Cribinau-road.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-In48D8KpCuY/T-i1lP5fxGI/AAAAAAAACbM/On4Kd2juDI8/s400/21-Cribinau-road.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cribinau</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Just before the Motor Racing Circuit, in between Porth Cwyfan and Porth China, we came to our second tidal island of the day: Cribinau. The island consists of a 13th century church (St Cwyfan) perched upon a protective wall.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-127FMK27kvU/T-i1mReqsOI/AAAAAAAACbU/YedgHDX6E5Y/s1600/22-Cribinau-church.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-127FMK27kvU/T-i1mReqsOI/AAAAAAAACbU/YedgHDX6E5Y/s400/22-Cribinau-church.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St Cwyfan's Church, Cribinau</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GX7d0ZmDnIY/T-i1n-3qHUI/AAAAAAAACbc/NFQGtGCTXJo/s1600/23-Cribinau.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GX7d0ZmDnIY/T-i1n-3qHUI/AAAAAAAACbc/NFQGtGCTXJo/s400/23-Cribinau.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cribinau</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZWhtQMySKIj0SzOS-fgqqlUTwTMlsdcgkfi7hsg_JjgzWWTjTLkNVwEGit-ODjL7gLt1maGQvaowwfod_Z2DAEf0EtE6v_ka4JBNajRK_aRaMJSbbtxZrSe2UOLG76agKxuNqt73q7VMj/s1600/24-Barclodiad-y-Gawres.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZWhtQMySKIj0SzOS-fgqqlUTwTMlsdcgkfi7hsg_JjgzWWTjTLkNVwEGit-ODjL7gLt1maGQvaowwfod_Z2DAEf0EtE6v_ka4JBNajRK_aRaMJSbbtxZrSe2UOLG76agKxuNqt73q7VMj/s400/24-Barclodiad-y-Gawres.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barclodiad y Gawres</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Further on, just past Porth Trecastell is the Neolithic burial chamber of <a href="http://www.megalithics.com/wales/barclody/barcmain.htm" target="_blank">Barclodiad y Gawres</a>. The entrance is closed now due to recent vandalism but it's still possible to look inside.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b3CLeW1gJag/T-i1ro9aj_I/AAAAAAAACbs/WAj1eqmv_vg/s1600/25-Porth-Nobla.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b3CLeW1gJag/T-i1ro9aj_I/AAAAAAAACbs/WAj1eqmv_vg/s400/25-Porth-Nobla.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The sun was getting low as we neared Rhosneigr.TC + DChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01262527192581395294noreply@blogger.com0Ynys Llanddwyn, United Kingdom53.1333333 -4.416666753.057122299999996 -4.5745952 53.2095443 -4.2587382000000007tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4670019149002401709.post-10253240997573779272012-05-22T14:35:00.000+01:002012-06-24T14:37:34.466+01:00Anglesey – day 4: Vallay<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y821xQfugbQ/T-cHbIrx8AI/AAAAAAAACWQ/wEzQ4kJ4B-8/s1600/01-Afon-Crigyll.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y821xQfugbQ/T-cHbIrx8AI/AAAAAAAACWQ/wEzQ4kJ4B-8/s400/01-Afon-Crigyll.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Afon Crigyll</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
No transport today but for our own two feet.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hOzl8wspkX4/T-cHcj1P0gI/AAAAAAAACWY/yeF1Jz5ERHQ/s1600/02-Rhosneigr-river.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hOzl8wspkX4/T-cHcj1P0gI/AAAAAAAACWY/yeF1Jz5ERHQ/s400/02-Rhosneigr-river.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Afon Crigyll</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We strolled to the edge of Rhosneigr, crossed Afon Crigyll and reached the beach at Traeth Crigyll.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3PS4A0-Q7Pw/T-cHeCHzadI/AAAAAAAACWg/6D1PkgWR704/s1600/03-Rhosneigr-from-Treath-Crigyll.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3PS4A0-Q7Pw/T-cHeCHzadI/AAAAAAAACWg/6D1PkgWR704/s400/03-Rhosneigr-from-Treath-Crigyll.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Traeth Crigyll looking back to Rhosneigr</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_AbeNi0XdOE/T-cHfMYy5LI/AAAAAAAACWo/ZVqQvdlz5xo/s1600/04-Ynys-Feirig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_AbeNi0XdOE/T-cHfMYy5LI/AAAAAAAACWo/ZVqQvdlz5xo/s400/04-Ynys-Feirig.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ynys Feirig</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Crossing the dunes brought us to the spindly finger of Ynys Feirig, poking into the sea.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGYuIDQVrE8dQGGMsvrvJrUbZQKDpVQavDPULdkz5KOYIORuVd3BY_D_o1KiAlQQdM13L_jFDuadGI4fdgEo-9LLgfePmeZgHeCBO1ZoPu_IQxbdeaN-bmLGtQxd-vBHGpYn7d8uiIow2x/s1600/05-Ynys-Feirig-closer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGYuIDQVrE8dQGGMsvrvJrUbZQKDpVQavDPULdkz5KOYIORuVd3BY_D_o1KiAlQQdM13L_jFDuadGI4fdgEo-9LLgfePmeZgHeCBO1ZoPu_IQxbdeaN-bmLGtQxd-vBHGpYn7d8uiIow2x/s400/05-Ynys-Feirig-closer.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ynys Feirig</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgresuFSjqp6cc3ZoIGEXkusJoIKkhckp4zorOadN72H6kOgQWnA4sRGhCAhLC40qTtU_eOWA5Ym-SfFEn7DjPr8-Y_36cSlkIN2REuEjf_Y58kfD0cT6V73qoXFRFZ6S0Fj2CK15c0AsSv/s1600/06-RSPB-Warden-caravan-for-Ynys-Feirig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgresuFSjqp6cc3ZoIGEXkusJoIKkhckp4zorOadN72H6kOgQWnA4sRGhCAhLC40qTtU_eOWA5Ym-SfFEn7DjPr8-Y_36cSlkIN2REuEjf_Y58kfD0cT6V73qoXFRFZ6S0Fj2CK15c0AsSv/s400/06-RSPB-Warden-caravan-for-Ynys-Feirig.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
An RSPB warden keeps watch over the tern colony of Ynys Feirig from a caravan embedded in the dunes.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-prut5HL6LdE/T-cHio1dYRI/AAAAAAAACXA/Tmd7YeFlyH0/s1600/07-Valley-airfield.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-prut5HL6LdE/T-cHio1dYRI/AAAAAAAACXA/Tmd7YeFlyH0/s400/07-Valley-airfield.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Ynys Feirig divides the long sandy beach into Traeth Crigyll and Traeth Cymyran. Walking the length of Traeth Cymyran took us past Valley airfield with its constant loops of screaming training jets and scurrying yellow choppers.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-73b9xMdAMnM/T-cHkG_ql8I/AAAAAAAACXI/vser6_Lt6bU/s1600/08-D-snoozing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-73b9xMdAMnM/T-cHkG_ql8I/AAAAAAAACXI/vser6_Lt6bU/s400/08-D-snoozing.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
With the tide out, the channel between Holy Island and Anglesey shrinks to a trickle, allowing you to walk where the water should be. A sheltered ramp of warm sand provided the perfect lunch and nap stop, despite the howling fury of the planes.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iQvMM3mg9pc/T-cHlS8kORI/AAAAAAAACXQ/vkaZGIfKboE/s1600/08b-Ynys-las.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iQvMM3mg9pc/T-cHlS8kORI/AAAAAAAACXQ/vkaZGIfKboE/s400/08b-Ynys-las.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ynys-las</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
After lunch, we plodded through the soft sand and standing water to the island of Ynys-las.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SZq3Tm293WA/T-cHmw18g0I/AAAAAAAACXY/UBVzsg1p_2E/s1600/09-Ynys-las-dune.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SZq3Tm293WA/T-cHmw18g0I/AAAAAAAACXY/UBVzsg1p_2E/s400/09-Ynys-las-dune.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ynys-las</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
A nice dune welcomed us up...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L7gZuTQkJcU/T-cHoW2qbxI/AAAAAAAACXg/hDOABFYAhec/s1600/10-Ynys-las-top.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L7gZuTQkJcU/T-cHoW2qbxI/AAAAAAAACXg/hDOABFYAhec/s400/10-Ynys-las-top.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ynys-las top, looking to Valley</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
...to the gorse pocked top.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLkaQoJDNGr0sMOgyJYO0t3QY3z6Wna2Gv6TeB0oYb4lq0_IulVU06rqhC3CQYVQ97cAR_0uW3TKvrX778H3xSLM-P3YG5mF4JhFD7sZ34KeqQjBxioav2tqQogvXFzo8z2k7WSJRkUjRz/s1600/11-Ynys-las-gully.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLkaQoJDNGr0sMOgyJYO0t3QY3z6Wna2Gv6TeB0oYb4lq0_IulVU06rqhC3CQYVQ97cAR_0uW3TKvrX778H3xSLM-P3YG5mF4JhFD7sZ34KeqQjBxioav2tqQogvXFzo8z2k7WSJRkUjRz/s400/11-Ynys-las-gully.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ynys-las gully</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
A flattened out area is criss-crossed with trails in the grass. The high point is covered in low bramble.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lfHcZGF40bA/T-cHrEQQP2I/AAAAAAAACXw/IX55yYD8W2g/s1600/12-from+Ynys-las.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lfHcZGF40bA/T-cHrEQQP2I/AAAAAAAACXw/IX55yYD8W2g/s400/12-from+Ynys-las.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ynys-las, looking northwards</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEA-8g1eDqj3rbs0bIR0YLRCP2ORCCtYf95OmdPWi66iLKfomX1T4kpQAD7SvKYwkAx_A33_-W925i-foILUXMDF5EacfB2BPSRBGibj8VGj5t5tGdsn1-zHaH2_JwlrIev66BtEdpPLEU/s1600/13-lower-lake-Cae-Glas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEA-8g1eDqj3rbs0bIR0YLRCP2ORCCtYf95OmdPWi66iLKfomX1T4kpQAD7SvKYwkAx_A33_-W925i-foILUXMDF5EacfB2BPSRBGibj8VGj5t5tGdsn1-zHaH2_JwlrIev66BtEdpPLEU/s400/13-lower-lake-Cae-Glas.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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We hooked back in land, back towards the airfield and the nearby lakes. Water lilies covered one of the lakes.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qIBgIrby9Wo/T-cHvPiPNFI/AAAAAAAACYA/ECppMBh-wRY/s1600/14-Llyn-Traffwll-path-fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qIBgIrby9Wo/T-cHvPiPNFI/AAAAAAAACYA/ECppMBh-wRY/s400/14-Llyn-Traffwll-path-fb.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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We continued on to Llyn Traffwll, wandering through the thickets and boulders to discover swathes of bluebells around the water's edge.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2CMXMJapH7U/T-cHw567ydI/AAAAAAAACYI/cB_SjZa2V3Y/s1600/16-Llyn-Traffwll-bluebells.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2CMXMJapH7U/T-cHw567ydI/AAAAAAAACYI/cB_SjZa2V3Y/s400/16-Llyn-Traffwll-bluebells.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Llyn Traffwll bluebells</td></tr>
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Tired and sunburnt again, we traipsed back through a desert of gorse and the golf course to Rhosneigr.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KH7AELX-lXM/T-cHyArGMFI/AAAAAAAACYQ/X5sVfGRaapk/s1600/18-T-photographing-on-Braich-Parlwr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KH7AELX-lXM/T-cHyArGMFI/AAAAAAAACYQ/X5sVfGRaapk/s400/18-T-photographing-on-Braich-Parlwr.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Braich Parlwr</td></tr>
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Indefatigable T couldn't resist the late evening sun on the thrift of Braich Parlwr. Exhausted D curled up in a warm, rocky recess for a quick snooze.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KosYDQjlQ2Q/T-cH0AQ_7qI/AAAAAAAACYY/mBHNmY28Zvs/s1600/19-thrift-on-Braich-Parlwr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KosYDQjlQ2Q/T-cH0AQ_7qI/AAAAAAAACYY/mBHNmY28Zvs/s400/19-thrift-on-Braich-Parlwr.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Braich Parlwr</td></tr>
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<br />TC + DChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01262527192581395294noreply@blogger.com0Valley, Isle Of Anglesey, UK53.282866 -4.55951353.2733725 -4.579254 53.292359499999996 -4.539772tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4670019149002401709.post-55694865129715860132012-05-21T22:45:00.000+01:002017-05-11T14:57:25.151+01:00Anglesey – day 3: Menai Bridge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gFIk4EZCVLI/T-JCveZ4LnI/AAAAAAAACSA/PfU7K-WIojc/s1600/01-Llanfairpwll-station.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gFIk4EZCVLI/T-JCveZ4LnI/AAAAAAAACSA/PfU7K-WIojc/s400/01-Llanfairpwll-station.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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How much mileage can one place get from the length of its name? For the answer you'll have to visit Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch, the longest place name in Britain. This small, otherwise anonymous village was renamed in the 1860s to encourage tourists to stop off at the newly built train station, and has been pulling in the punters ever since. Historically speaking, the train is the right way to arrive, but pronouncing
your destination to the conductor can only cause embarrassment. Even the abbreviated Llanfairpwll proved impossible for a Welsh speaking novice such as myself. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iXRxGAK4Bpg/T-JCw2BDi-I/AAAAAAAACSI/cnHrz6tvUBg/s1600/02-Llanfairpwll-Pringles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iXRxGAK4Bpg/T-JCw2BDi-I/AAAAAAAACSI/cnHrz6tvUBg/s400/02-Llanfairpwll-Pringles.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">James Pringle Weavers</td></tr>
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Alternatively, if you're very old or a foreign student, you can be driven by coach straight to the tourist landmark that is James Pringle Weavers. Here, you can get your 'tourist passport' stamped to prove that you have visited, before buying any amount of Welsh related tat. <br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1nJifeOb368/T-JD_MVFfCI/AAAAAAAACUo/VZYS_09oqTE/s1600/04-Welsh-souvenirs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1nJifeOb368/T-JD_MVFfCI/AAAAAAAACUo/VZYS_09oqTE/s400/04-Welsh-souvenirs.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pA-AzJYJL2E/T-JCyeQZuvI/AAAAAAAACSQ/E3IfLi7wzQY/s1600/03-inside-Pringles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pA-AzJYJL2E/T-JCyeQZuvI/AAAAAAAACSQ/E3IfLi7wzQY/s400/03-inside-Pringles.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mfWFEK-Fr80/T-XzJusJktI/AAAAAAAACV8/DFG86qNYSlo/s1600/26-polite-sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mfWFEK-Fr80/T-XzJusJktI/AAAAAAAACV8/DFG86qNYSlo/s400/26-polite-sign.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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The village never misses an opportunity to promote its name. If you walk down the high street, the pub, the vacuum cleaner hire place and the fish & chip shop all sport a very long sign on their fronts.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4S-vSPl444M/T-JC1eKnIxI/AAAAAAAACSg/i2b1s_bpAz8/s1600/05-column.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4S-vSPl444M/T-JC1eKnIxI/AAAAAAAACSg/i2b1s_bpAz8/s400/05-column.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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After ten minutes we left for the coastal path, passing another local landmark – <a href="http://www.anglesey-hidden-gem.com/marquess-of-anglesey-column.html" target="_blank">The Marquess of Anglesey's Column</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f0FdCV642sU/T-JC3McYAnI/AAAAAAAACSo/PK5mq7Q2HNE/s1600/06-Britannia-Bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f0FdCV642sU/T-JC3McYAnI/AAAAAAAACSo/PK5mq7Q2HNE/s400/06-Britannia-Bridge.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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We reached the water's edge near Nelson's Statue, close to Britannia Bridge, and followed the <a href="http://www.angleseywalkingholidays.com/walks.html" target="_blank">Coastal Path</a> eastwards.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7yLDqCSPT1w/T-JEIolUNdI/AAAAAAAACUw/_FvFgoQVfQU/s1600/07-under-Britannia-Bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7yLDqCSPT1w/T-JEIolUNdI/AAAAAAAACUw/_FvFgoQVfQU/s400/07-under-Britannia-Bridge.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Britannia Bridge</td></tr>
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The original Britannia Bridge was designed and built by Robert Stephenson. It opened in 1850, providing a rail link from London to Holyhead over the Menai Strait. After 120 years of service the bridge was damaged by fire, and it remained closed for nearly two years. The upper road deck was opened in 1980, giving a second, much needed road link to the island.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uLRje9da3QY/T-JC5hvZBJI/AAAAAAAACS4/fXGSgnbeqKI/s1600/08-Ynys-Gored-Goch-Menai-bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uLRje9da3QY/T-JC5hvZBJI/AAAAAAAACS4/fXGSgnbeqKI/s400/08-Ynys-Gored-Goch-Menai-bridge.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Looking down the Menai Strait gives a great view of the Menai Suspension Bridge, with the curious island of Whitebait Island (Ynys Gored Goch) in the foreground.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Tm7dSpZW-M/T-JC7RI99OI/AAAAAAAACTA/M91EXUJ4aj0/s1600/09-Ynys-Gored-Goch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Tm7dSpZW-M/T-JC7RI99OI/AAAAAAAACTA/M91EXUJ4aj0/s400/09-Ynys-Gored-Goch.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ynys Gored Goch (Whitebait Island)</td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.anglesey-today.com/ynys-gorad-goch.html" target="_blank">Ynys Gored Goch </a>lies within the fast moving currents of the Menai Strait, and supports a large, white painted house. It used to be a holiday home, available for rent, but has recently been purchased for private use. As we walked by, the buildings seemed to be having a face lift for the new occupiers. The long walls that emanate from the island act as a fish trap as the tide drops. This fishing technique has been used on Ynys Gored Goch possibly as far back as the 13th century to supply local monasteries. We wished we could have visited. Instead, we dreamed of past days when travellers could ring a shore-side bell for collection and wait to be ferried over for a Whitebait Tea.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pt0x42OJ_Mo/T-JC8qdtoxI/AAAAAAAACTI/Sjz-7MPBRAI/s1600/10-Ynys-Welltog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pt0x42OJ_Mo/T-JC8qdtoxI/AAAAAAAACTI/Sjz-7MPBRAI/s400/10-Ynys-Welltog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ynys Welltog</td></tr>
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A short way further on lies Ynys Welltog – a small, but densely vegetated island nicely positioned between the two famous bridges. Looking through the binoculars, a couple of little egrets balanced on the drooping branches of the trees.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8KctWy5VTRNKTBF_iOsHCSWmkVbl3x_ba9iO_pdIy4wuiVLg9-RlKag8uDjjZhWVI3_iaRNEmyk6QHKT_TstCzZnJKVTcyOFr8w4UuBZxZScHJUDFsAEuJgPfsYEZLOYUGm3d-Tb0uoqY/s1600/11-Anglesey-cows.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8KctWy5VTRNKTBF_iOsHCSWmkVbl3x_ba9iO_pdIy4wuiVLg9-RlKag8uDjjZhWVI3_iaRNEmyk6QHKT_TstCzZnJKVTcyOFr8w4UuBZxZScHJUDFsAEuJgPfsYEZLOYUGm3d-Tb0uoqY/s400/11-Anglesey-cows.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On Anglesey Coastal Path</td></tr>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8zFGKrPfROQ/T-JC__-ZDEI/AAAAAAAACTU/Nc1Hm_fcigg/s1600/12-Church-Island.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8zFGKrPfROQ/T-JC__-ZDEI/AAAAAAAACTU/Nc1Hm_fcigg/s400/12-Church-Island.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The Coastal Path cuts up to a high road from which you can get a great view down onto Church Island (Ynys Disilio) – another fantastical, slightly gothic island. A walled causeway runs out to the island, which as the name suggests is the site of a small church. A huge yew tree stands guard behind the entrance gate, as tilting grave stones cover the rising mound.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5BFmlW3lBS4/T-JDBU-8NZI/AAAAAAAACTg/vU_tYWT0RDE/s1600/13-Church-Island.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5BFmlW3lBS4/T-JDBU-8NZI/AAAAAAAACTg/vU_tYWT0RDE/s400/13-Church-Island.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St Tysilio's Church, Church Island</td></tr>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KeDH6TgT4j8/T-XTDZVoRlI/AAAAAAAACVE/t1ZPYxcInNQ/s1600/22-Church-Island-memorial.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KeDH6TgT4j8/T-XTDZVoRlI/AAAAAAAACVE/t1ZPYxcInNQ/s400/22-Church-Island-memorial.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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A war memorial stands at the very top of <a href="http://menaibridges.co.uk/churchisle.php" target="_blank">Church Island</a>. From here you can get a great view of both bridges.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZNGkWlAW4z0/T-JDCz7tbNI/AAAAAAAACTo/4cHKrIqCJIg/s1600/14-Menai-Suspension-Bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZNGkWlAW4z0/T-JDCz7tbNI/AAAAAAAACTo/4cHKrIqCJIg/s400/14-Menai-Suspension-Bridge.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Menai Suspension Bridge</td></tr>
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The Belgian Promenade, built by WWI Belgian refugees, led us from Church Island to the legendary Menai Suspension Bridge, designed by <a href="http://www.westminster-abbey.org/our-history/people/thomas-telford" target="_blank">Thomas Telford</a> and completed in 1826. This picturesque stretch is justifiably popular with the strolling, scooting, jogging and cycling locals. Without any foundation, I had always thought that the small town of Menai Bridge would be a bit of a dive. So I was genuinely surprised to find such a pleasant, relaxed place – especially along the charming waterfront.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bFfMf2QdzjI/T-JDEcvftCI/AAAAAAAACTw/2k9E1mPP1J4/s1600/15-Ynys-Faelog-path.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bFfMf2QdzjI/T-JDEcvftCI/AAAAAAAACTw/2k9E1mPP1J4/s400/15-Ynys-Faelog-path.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ynys Faelog</td></tr>
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Four islands attach themselves to Anglesey east of the Menai Bridge. The first is Ynys Faelog. A concrete runway jags across the mud and water, past a rusty tin shed to the island.<br />
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A few houses nestle in among the trees that cover the island.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aFb69edKjCs/T-JDKMFoo8I/AAAAAAAACUQ/Uzl_7uJJaSw/s1600/19-Ynys-Faelog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aFb69edKjCs/T-JDKMFoo8I/AAAAAAAACUQ/Uzl_7uJJaSw/s400/19-Ynys-Faelog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ynys Faelog</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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An alternative route onto the island is by the raised private road that reaches out to its eastern end.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NvhLHdJYYW8/T-JDLUd4NNI/AAAAAAAACUY/v_2zxxoqeuE/s1600/20-Ynys-Tobig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NvhLHdJYYW8/T-JDLUd4NNI/AAAAAAAACUY/v_2zxxoqeuE/s400/20-Ynys-Tobig.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ynys Tobig</td></tr>
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A tree tufted islet called Ynys Tobig lies close to Ynys Faelog, but it is too small to warrant any connecting causeways.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ftoL6Sz6ens/T-Xt322BR8I/AAAAAAAACVY/Ce4kGm320zY/s1600/23-Ynys-Gaint-driveway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ftoL6Sz6ens/T-Xt322BR8I/AAAAAAAACVY/Ce4kGm320zY/s400/23-Ynys-Gaint-driveway.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ynys Gaint bridge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Ynys Gaint is the largest island of the four, with a short, straight road servicing the island's two homes.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-503qwg1rthE/T-Xt8-O35DI/AAAAAAAACVg/sN3Sm69h0_s/s1600/24-Ynys-Gaint2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-503qwg1rthE/T-Xt8-O35DI/AAAAAAAACVg/sN3Sm69h0_s/s400/24-Ynys-Gaint2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ynys Gaint</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A3AASsQs28Q/T-XzINYjpvI/AAAAAAAACV0/5X7vtnVW65k/s1600/25-Ynys-Castell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A3AASsQs28Q/T-XzINYjpvI/AAAAAAAACV0/5X7vtnVW65k/s400/25-Ynys-Castell.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ynys Castell</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Ynys Castell enjoys a magnificent spot, which can be enjoyed by all who can afford it as the <a href="http://www.stayinwales.co.uk/detail.cfm?i=7168" target="_blank">seven bedroom house</a> on the island can be hired as a holiday home. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2_UZBBgQr31RmJZcjOxDGuNdYFMTas7c6kECXyMDSyV4RLr-xNTYusqpgdYd5y7xg3EALwTZgbGXW-cfk4inp3fBADdJG6gQFD32h69cZLVZBT2lmVgpd8iMI9rm0heMgnIxalbJkedp4/s1600/21-Ynys-y-Big.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2_UZBBgQr31RmJZcjOxDGuNdYFMTas7c6kECXyMDSyV4RLr-xNTYusqpgdYd5y7xg3EALwTZgbGXW-cfk4inp3fBADdJG6gQFD32h69cZLVZBT2lmVgpd8iMI9rm0heMgnIxalbJkedp4/s400/21-Ynys-y-Big.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ynys y Big</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The final island of the group, Ynys y Big is a small wooded island that is part of a private property bearing the same name on Anglesey.TC + DChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01262527192581395294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4670019149002401709.post-7184602683899843582012-05-20T15:43:00.000+01:002017-05-11T15:01:46.051+01:00Anglesey – day 2: Holy Island (Ynys Gybi)<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzKhcKZ2NPXZpuW5UzssmPn-CyJ-P92ynJtxzy44Am0NXomwAEWQjMitdqnGJ8YFZGIBrUTjsbXbCIuBUWjsWBvUzOScalrMKk4jRqBFpaWpCOjyLCBn_LPYlw5l-l_dn0DNvoVmTediWw/s1600/01-Rhosneigr-high-street.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzKhcKZ2NPXZpuW5UzssmPn-CyJ-P92ynJtxzy44Am0NXomwAEWQjMitdqnGJ8YFZGIBrUTjsbXbCIuBUWjsWBvUzOScalrMKk4jRqBFpaWpCOjyLCBn_LPYlw5l-l_dn0DNvoVmTediWw/s400/01-Rhosneigr-high-street.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rhosneigr High Street</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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We ambled out of sleepy Rhosneigr, along the High Street composed of a handful of bars, restaurants, and cafes, as well as a creperie, gift shop and...<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ELtfv14BEEc/T-Gzx16G31I/AAAAAAAACPQ/gMHoxqRt0gE/s1600/02-Rhosneigr-Post-Office-Spar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ELtfv14BEEc/T-Gzx16G31I/AAAAAAAACPQ/gMHoxqRt0gE/s400/02-Rhosneigr-Post-Office-Spar.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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... Convenience Store. Without a car we had placed a lot of hope in the groaning shelves of the only supermarket in town. As you can probably guess, that hope was misplaced, unless you're partial to a selection of cold meats that is. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cusSQjTUlq4/T-GzzCTh9kI/AAAAAAAACPc/TJj08vkCnxg/s1600/03-Holyhead-mountain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cusSQjTUlq4/T-GzzCTh9kI/AAAAAAAACPc/TJj08vkCnxg/s400/03-Holyhead-mountain.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Holyhead Mountain from Holyhead suburbs</td></tr>
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We caught the train to Holyhead and set out for South Stack. After failing to find the footpath out of town we settled for the road...<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ySzMGWIYChc/T-Gz0s6KCMI/AAAAAAAACPk/8I_o2wU3kcU/s1600/04-the-road-below-Holyhead-mountain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ySzMGWIYChc/T-Gz0s6KCMI/AAAAAAAACPk/8I_o2wU3kcU/s400/04-the-road-below-Holyhead-mountain.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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...which turned out to be a blessing as the verges were overstuffed with flowers.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtPdCsQDMv9B-gOR71FX_034FhTdHR_-EAcLFhs-9BTW96l25kKB-RM0DNejSSi76R-ktajRH5oguoLn_wxvHD58zEXrj0hDJEKIMQkPoiQysQgaM9GJ_FTdMiRvoQaoTL_q3qvBRZNJQP/s1600/05-walking-up-Holyhead-Mountain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtPdCsQDMv9B-gOR71FX_034FhTdHR_-EAcLFhs-9BTW96l25kKB-RM0DNejSSi76R-ktajRH5oguoLn_wxvHD58zEXrj0hDJEKIMQkPoiQysQgaM9GJ_FTdMiRvoQaoTL_q3qvBRZNJQP/s400/05-walking-up-Holyhead-Mountain.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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At this point, something happened against our better judgement. We were enticed from the road to climb Holyhead Mountain. We really should know better by now, we have plenty of experience of being distracted, of aiming for landmarks that look close but are in fact a lot of hard walking away.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJPmPVTl9Iz1SkCaEcr8Y9pVsLUaueZdOsXmzo8vAP7DmJKJq0vWBfeIdjsAJeLof392raqqCyqT1AUW6k0qpnGOdrqBJFXGjyKfXvlelhyphenhyphen8QejoJvJnOkrlamtEbEW0ypWZ4VR2YiWeB-/s1600/06-on-Holyhead-Mountain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJPmPVTl9Iz1SkCaEcr8Y9pVsLUaueZdOsXmzo8vAP7DmJKJq0vWBfeIdjsAJeLof392raqqCyqT1AUW6k0qpnGOdrqBJFXGjyKfXvlelhyphenhyphen8QejoJvJnOkrlamtEbEW0ypWZ4VR2YiWeB-/s400/06-on-Holyhead-Mountain.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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But on the other hand, a summit is a siren call to human nature and our desire for conquest. Who were we to deny it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyfcF-tlpW7kHheBw0oQ5Dkap7OSOYOv4hHUXbHaDQu8Me9uhKaKCAsZzHxbF2UyZUcUSRL8YUoGBa7QH5CXAxY0g1zAWepx4PtD7weGGXA1uJNuZFTKmMM7nP9afqNPTe61w1OjQvoxYx/s1600/07-looking-towards-Holyhead-from-Holyhead-Mountain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyfcF-tlpW7kHheBw0oQ5Dkap7OSOYOv4hHUXbHaDQu8Me9uhKaKCAsZzHxbF2UyZUcUSRL8YUoGBa7QH5CXAxY0g1zAWepx4PtD7weGGXA1uJNuZFTKmMM7nP9afqNPTe61w1OjQvoxYx/s400/07-looking-towards-Holyhead-from-Holyhead-Mountain.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Of course what we thought to be the top, was not the top, but we made it eventually – all 220m to the summit. Not huge by any means, but the highest peak on Holy Island, and taller than anything to be found on Anglesey. As ever, the views were worth it, especially looking over Holyhead, and the UK's longest breakwater snaking into the sea.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U7e1HJjUkLY/T-Gz66GtRWI/AAAAAAAACQE/LWkIm-1km-4/s1600/08-Orchid-in-front-of-Holyhead-Mountain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U7e1HJjUkLY/T-Gz66GtRWI/AAAAAAAACQE/LWkIm-1km-4/s400/08-Orchid-in-front-of-Holyhead-Mountain.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Continuing west, we came off the mountain and were pleased to see some orchids in the heath.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LiepwyIrzL4/T-Gz8pant-I/AAAAAAAACQM/ZpmzSY7JXos/s1600/09-South-Stack-Holy-Island.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LiepwyIrzL4/T-Gz8pant-I/AAAAAAAACQM/ZpmzSY7JXos/s400/09-South-Stack-Holy-Island.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">South Stack (Ynys Lawd)</td></tr>
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Hot and sunburned, we reached the large visitor centre of South Stack. There were cakes, but nothing too tempting, so we pushed on for our first view of <a href="http://britishislands.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/island-no-460-south-stack-ynys-lawd.html" target="_blank">South Stack island</a>. The crumpled, orange cliffs were inundated with sea birds as well as a couple of rock climbers starting out from sea level.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gDu21S4XpZ8/T-G0MKxWKcI/AAAAAAAACQc/QVnHmEmuQqg/s1600/North-Stack-coast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gDu21S4XpZ8/T-G0MKxWKcI/AAAAAAAACQc/QVnHmEmuQqg/s400/North-Stack-coast.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gogarth Bay</td></tr>
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Doubling back from South Stack to Holyhead Mountain provided a stunning view along the coast to North Stack.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uoUVdNfzyRA/T-G0Kv0zC-I/AAAAAAAACQU/ZKH7nwEYH9s/s1600/North-Stack-The-Old-Coastguard-Cottage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uoUVdNfzyRA/T-G0Kv0zC-I/AAAAAAAACQU/ZKH7nwEYH9s/s400/North-Stack-The-Old-Coastguard-Cottage.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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An old fog warning station can be found on the headland next to North Stack. It's a truly amazing spot – the actual fog warning at the end of the garden has been converted into a kind of summerhouse.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinTMTh2VeXAxneS5AcCUdx5teEAlLn54yO9nUa_06ACj31F7AJfGZjLOIDjMTmFTSEEOyFJuedDQdUyNCKboGOGDFnnoO58L1hXEO9zHFV6SR-wc3_fTTZy3l0h05XckluQcSEQ9XfrkJh/s1600/North-Stack-studio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinTMTh2VeXAxneS5AcCUdx5teEAlLn54yO9nUa_06ACj31F7AJfGZjLOIDjMTmFTSEEOyFJuedDQdUyNCKboGOGDFnnoO58L1hXEO9zHFV6SR-wc3_fTTZy3l0h05XckluQcSEQ9XfrkJh/s400/North-Stack-studio.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The sign outside suggests the artist's (<a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/northwestwales/hi/people_and_places/arts_and_culture/newsid_8293000/8293034.stm" target="_blank">Philippa Jacobs</a>) studio is up for sale. I couldn't think of a nicer place to paint.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtutBQwPKkjQoaLZvuvPiX45yqUbmXfszeEoeAIgUVjeHC9oW1QDj2qSJE5PTJ6ke5Nmc4x3fo6yGS-0iyHht2EynQmvTfEkclRYYN9R-az38jUaUAIsMEdgg_lMwILJYguhR_-4PmQ376/s1600/North-Stack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtutBQwPKkjQoaLZvuvPiX45yqUbmXfszeEoeAIgUVjeHC9oW1QDj2qSJE5PTJ6ke5Nmc4x3fo6yGS-0iyHht2EynQmvTfEkclRYYN9R-az38jUaUAIsMEdgg_lMwILJYguhR_-4PmQ376/s400/North-Stack.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">North Stack (Ynys Arw)</td></tr>
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North Stack itself is a bit of a disappointment after seeing the dramatic headland next to it. I'm not sure if it can be classified as an island as a sheep will certainly have trouble living there. However, it is a substantial block and home to many seabirds. Also, we had walked way too far for it not to be added to the list.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhienCnF3BYPNmzbKQvWDo8-KWTSPn-GA_V8dI12FbSbsYlWkWvXzvmUcTaC16UzW6FapSSfTAWR8tTfvJ-MD5xItgEuv7h_71-BSh45k4-7-xW2H2QQEUjhJ1qiqPvGU8I33mTm9ZCPHm9/s1600/10-Ynys-Wellt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhienCnF3BYPNmzbKQvWDo8-KWTSPn-GA_V8dI12FbSbsYlWkWvXzvmUcTaC16UzW6FapSSfTAWR8tTfvJ-MD5xItgEuv7h_71-BSh45k4-7-xW2H2QQEUjhJ1qiqPvGU8I33mTm9ZCPHm9/s400/10-Ynys-Wellt.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ynys Wellt</td></tr>
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Oh dear, another grey rock for an island, which to be fair, were a lot less frequent in Wales than in Scotland. The culprit here is Ynys Wellt.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-238CV7pb6iM/T-G0V2kiRZI/AAAAAAAACQ8/7kmp0IUdDpM/s1600/11-Salt-Island.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-238CV7pb6iM/T-G0V2kiRZI/AAAAAAAACQ8/7kmp0IUdDpM/s400/11-Salt-Island.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Salt Island (Ynys yr Halen)</td></tr>
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We were running out of time to make our train, so the last section looping back to Holyhead was rushed. I just about managed to grab a shot of Salt Island from a distance. Just a few weeks earlier we boarded the ferry to Dublin from here. Anyway, we missed the train but ended up having a hearty meal in the Venue Walkway. There's not a great deal of choice in Holyhead for dining, so the Venue Walkway goes down as our recommendation for its good location, large portions and a menu showing some imaginative tweaks to good pub staples.TC + DChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01262527192581395294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4670019149002401709.post-54783761755015954822012-05-20T13:08:00.000+01:002017-05-11T15:03:16.226+01:00Island No. 460: South Stack (Ynys Lawd)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CJvoWVUm3AM/T-HzjMNr-aI/AAAAAAAACRI/TxbyDye9ZQ4/s1600/12-South-Stack-gate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CJvoWVUm3AM/T-HzjMNr-aI/AAAAAAAACRI/TxbyDye9ZQ4/s400/12-South-Stack-gate.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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If you think South Stack looks like the perfect location for a comic book, then you are not alone. The combination of a lonely lighthouse on a small island, accessed only by a metal bridge across a narrow sea channel after descending 400 cliff-side steps understandably appealed to the creator of <a href="http://www.glenatbd.com/bd/les-gardiens-des-enfers-9782723475839.htm" target="_blank"><i>Les Gardiens des Enfers</i></a>. There's no doubt it fires the gothic imagination, but on a sunny day it's simply a stunning place to visit. Before starting your descent, make sure you have the £4.80 cash to buy an entrance ticket at the bottom, or turnaround and buy your ticket from the <a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/s/southstackcliffs/about.aspx" target="_blank">RSPB Visitor Centre</a> down the road.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oE-9DhBbqG0/T-HzkRxwhuI/AAAAAAAACRQ/g7MR0H8N5iM/s1600/13-South-Stack-descent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oE-9DhBbqG0/T-HzkRxwhuI/AAAAAAAACRQ/g7MR0H8N5iM/s400/13-South-Stack-descent.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The path down offers great views of the nesting seabirds on the adjacent cliffs. Choughs pad around on the nearby grassy slopes, and the warm walls provide welcome hotspots and shelter for some of our rarer butterflies.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aWw01zANPnc/T-Hzmcb6t1I/AAAAAAAACRY/nrqVkhnGStM/s1600/14-South-Stack-nesting-gull.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aWw01zANPnc/T-Hzmcb6t1I/AAAAAAAACRY/nrqVkhnGStM/s400/14-South-Stack-nesting-gull.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://southstack.co.uk/index.html" target="_blank">South Stack</a> is covered with herring gulls nesting amongst the sea thrift. It is also the only place on Earth where you can find the <a href="http://birding-paradigms.blogspot.co.uk/2010/05/south-stack-and-penmon-anglesey-wales.html" target="_blank">spatulate fleawort</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NfKwVSlPYRw/T-HznpFT5sI/AAAAAAAACRg/tsBnGauvnQc/s1600/15-South+Stack-lighthouse-staircase.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NfKwVSlPYRw/T-HznpFT5sI/AAAAAAAACRg/tsBnGauvnQc/s400/15-South+Stack-lighthouse-staircase.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Part of the entrance fee includes a guided visit to the lighthouse, built in 1808-09. It has a fine, if vertigo inducing, spiral staircase.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NVp4koGovoE/T-Hzp2lsFKI/AAAAAAAACRo/fSOp-2ltxqo/s1600/16-view-from-South-Stack-lighthouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NVp4koGovoE/T-Hzp2lsFKI/AAAAAAAACRo/fSOp-2ltxqo/s400/16-view-from-South-Stack-lighthouse.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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From the top of the lighthouse, 60m above sea level, you can see the precipitous zigzag of the cliff path down to the island's bridge.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vFzSFhAeXrs/T-HzrFwh_OI/AAAAAAAACRw/6Gl0HUgo7dA/s1600/17-South-Stack-bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vFzSFhAeXrs/T-HzrFwh_OI/AAAAAAAACRw/6Gl0HUgo7dA/s400/17-South-Stack-bridge.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The latest incarnation of the bridge was built in 1997 to span the 30m gap.TC + DChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01262527192581395294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4670019149002401709.post-18743553359321757622012-05-19T16:16:00.000+01:002017-05-11T15:06:46.870+01:00Anglesey – day 1: Rhosneigr<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b4S9s12PI2U/T8Tn7-lgjpI/AAAAAAAACM0/dOd7XY73z00/s1600/01-Rhosneigr-train-station.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b4S9s12PI2U/T8Tn7-lgjpI/AAAAAAAACM0/dOd7XY73z00/s400/01-Rhosneigr-train-station.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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It's a five and a half hour train journey to Rhosneigr from Lewes, East Sussex, via London and Chester. Not that much quicker than if you travel by car without any stops, but I have to say, a lot more pleasant and relaxing than my recent drive up to nearby Llandudno.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bfy3eLbeC9o/T8Tn9meqoyI/AAAAAAAACM8/S-fZ1MO8QPA/s1600/02-Rhosneigr-exit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bfy3eLbeC9o/T8Tn9meqoyI/AAAAAAAACM8/S-fZ1MO8QPA/s400/02-Rhosneigr-exit.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Rhosneigr is a request only stop on the route to Holyhead. We were the only two people to get off the train, and as soon as we pushed through the squeaky gate we knew we were going to love it here. The grassy verges sprouted an array of flowers, open fields surrounded us divided by drystone walls and blossoming hedgerows and after three previous washouts in Wales, the sun was actually shining!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3IQH4bQI_lU/T8Tn_JYe6bI/AAAAAAAACNE/keKgG7x-0Gk/s1600/03-Anglesey-kit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3IQH4bQI_lU/T8Tn_JYe6bI/AAAAAAAACNE/keKgG7x-0Gk/s400/03-Anglesey-kit.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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We had managed to squeeze everything into five bags for the trip, and T had the idea of photographing our kit to show just how much stuff it's possible to carry halfway across the country on public transport. Unfortunately, the lure of the beach was too great, so we only took one photo of the small day pack's contents and never found the time to do the others. As you can see, one of the headaches of travelling in Britain is the need to be prepared for any type of weather, no matter what time of year you go. To complicate things further, you should never travel in summer without your snorkel.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4Id7thbyhKA/T8ToAku_Y7I/AAAAAAAACNM/oFEnI-4C408/s1600/04-Traeth-Llydan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4Id7thbyhKA/T8ToAku_Y7I/AAAAAAAACNM/oFEnI-4C408/s400/04-Traeth-Llydan.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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We followed Rhosneigr High Street until it spilled us onto sandy Traeth Llydan. It's backed by a ripple of dunes, and the beach is studded with slabs of rock. Later in the week we saw surfers, entirely covered in neoprene, except for their oval blue faces, braving the icy brine to ride the most meagre of waves.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_tG_IK_5MRg/T8ToCPLTG3I/AAAAAAAACNU/S7AjjXvJifY/s1600/05-Traeth-Llydan-river.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_tG_IK_5MRg/T8ToCPLTG3I/AAAAAAAACNU/S7AjjXvJifY/s400/05-Traeth-Llydan-river.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The river from the lake of Llyn Maelog wends its way through sand dunes, across the beach and into the sea.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3rfVY9PJ7j0/T8ToDjUfT3I/AAAAAAAACNc/1b0VIrUpnDc/s1600/06-Oyster-Catcher.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3rfVY9PJ7j0/T8ToDjUfT3I/AAAAAAAACNc/1b0VIrUpnDc/s400/06-Oyster-Catcher.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Nestled within the dunes is the newly opened <a href="http://www.oystercatcheranglesey.co.uk/" target="_blank">Oyster Catcher</a>. We didn't sample the food and drink on offer, but it's owned by the people behind the <a href="http://www.white-eagle.co.uk/" target="_blank">The White Eagle</a> on Holy Island, so expectations are high. It seemed an odd place to build a restaurant, behind the dunes, away from the sea, until I found out that it's on the spot of an old hotel that had fallen into disrepair.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BABa0CAhvcY/T8ToEvxpiYI/AAAAAAAACNk/7dnoG3cPY0c/s1600/07-Traeth-Llydan-dunes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BABa0CAhvcY/T8ToEvxpiYI/AAAAAAAACNk/7dnoG3cPY0c/s400/07-Traeth-Llydan-dunes.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Traeth Llydan dunes</td></tr>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U4HXDTGvuK8/T8Xt2ApjyPI/AAAAAAAACOA/QFJJ0kI91xo/s1600/10-Braich-Parlwr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U4HXDTGvuK8/T8Xt2ApjyPI/AAAAAAAACOA/QFJJ0kI91xo/s400/10-Braich-Parlwr.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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As the tide was out, we explored the rocks and islands close to the shore. Braich Parlwr is a beautiful long fingered rock that reaches into the sea but never quite escapes the shoreline to become an island.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg25ySWh0sN8NW6PBw39G3JRtVosyFdN9UNelVUPl4KH6kAgDm_RWj048BpC6eqda3opAIRmWrxo604pVf0U24tzAjHskZNwnOC3NDOZUrGJlBeS1cGBec_RnOjcnpzp3f5wKnMpN_8e2nK/s1600/flowers+on+Braich+Parlwr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg25ySWh0sN8NW6PBw39G3JRtVosyFdN9UNelVUPl4KH6kAgDm_RWj048BpC6eqda3opAIRmWrxo604pVf0U24tzAjHskZNwnOC3NDOZUrGJlBeS1cGBec_RnOjcnpzp3f5wKnMpN_8e2nK/s400/flowers+on+Braich+Parlwr.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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The sea thrift and trefoil covered Braich Parlwr.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xolAH4IgB-M/T8ToGBM1btI/AAAAAAAACNs/ZuoPWixOBgQ/s1600/08-Rhosneigr-road.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xolAH4IgB-M/T8ToGBM1btI/AAAAAAAACNs/ZuoPWixOBgQ/s400/08-Rhosneigr-road.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rhosneigr road</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcKewRW0EqZpiYSF916473TFiUFmqwTRXr-I1V3RFBJ6cqTxhSXnujR6p5TGF2HrqTibZ7XT_Rq4I1Nq13BwKo3nsvaBRmEGoCLCAkR9sXfBDFJE-ZMSzESazBmIcoz18RqNusV3JrT4x_/s1600/09-Rhosneigr-street.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcKewRW0EqZpiYSF916473TFiUFmqwTRXr-I1V3RFBJ6cqTxhSXnujR6p5TGF2HrqTibZ7XT_Rq4I1Nq13BwKo3nsvaBRmEGoCLCAkR9sXfBDFJE-ZMSzESazBmIcoz18RqNusV3JrT4x_/s400/09-Rhosneigr-street.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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As we walked back along the High Street, every so often a road runs down to the beach offering a glimpse of the sea. Rhosneigr is in a great position, sandwiched between two long stretches of beach and dunes. This hasn't gone unnoticed as more and more holiday apartments are being constructed. That's not to say it's being ruined though, there's enough space and enough charm for Rhosneigr to handle getting a little larger.TC + DChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01262527192581395294noreply@blogger.com0Isle Of Anglesey, UK53.2692804 -4.321285253.1173394 -4.6371422 53.4212214 -4.0054282tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4670019149002401709.post-82053131576068173982012-05-19T11:32:00.000+01:002012-05-30T12:09:40.434+01:00Island No. 458: Braich yr Osedd<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifq0Cpk1ER5shQe9DMXV5z5VLs5EOGHdyorRhdqiTGYQ2OlBDgldIGYxzkpwMWU7dTkFJvBXoOLxLyyPn56GQbHK4lK_phCR2E0sCuhr8u5R9oo_ztnpoG7KuGQWl6V0E_vi3p0WahG6MW/s1600/11-Braich-yr-Orsedd-bump.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifq0Cpk1ER5shQe9DMXV5z5VLs5EOGHdyorRhdqiTGYQ2OlBDgldIGYxzkpwMWU7dTkFJvBXoOLxLyyPn56GQbHK4lK_phCR2E0sCuhr8u5R9oo_ztnpoG7KuGQWl6V0E_vi3p0WahG6MW/s400/11-Braich-yr-Orsedd-bump.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?msid=204522493017632214738.00046c89e41d95117db1f&msa=0&ll=53.224728,-4.522483&spn=0.008581,0.022724" target="_blank">Braich yr Osedd</a> is a sizeable chunk of rock with an enticing camel's hump. At low tide, it's a short walk from Rhosneigr. It seemed to be a good platform for lichen, sea thrift and trefoil, and has an impressive rock pool.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6aLnzmmvjpA/T8X1i4JHoRI/AAAAAAAACOc/yulDP3stSOc/s1600/12-walking-on-Braich-yr-Orsedd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6aLnzmmvjpA/T8X1i4JHoRI/AAAAAAAACOc/yulDP3stSOc/s400/12-walking-on-Braich-yr-Orsedd.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The rock pool on Braich yr Osedd</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QjsO3Q628CU/T8X1kyMzJfI/AAAAAAAACOk/vJ9vSQX3038/s1600/13-Braich-yr-Orsedd+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QjsO3Q628CU/T8X1kyMzJfI/AAAAAAAACOk/vJ9vSQX3038/s400/13-Braich-yr-Orsedd+.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking back to Rhosneigr from Braich yr Osedd</td></tr>
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<br />TC + DChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01262527192581395294noreply@blogger.com0Rhosneigr, Isle Of Anglesey, UK53.228996 -4.51976153.2194905 -4.539502 53.238501500000005 -4.50002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4670019149002401709.post-26497738855563064072012-05-19T11:00:00.000+01:002012-05-30T12:09:25.948+01:00Island No. 459: Ynys Groes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo9ga4BQfYmtPjvrA8yw0ONBC2i-7UkJem3ttak10mbL5psJH7FDCUsypB5LJ6mIEgXJxCXhk25TBrqgmmCAcKOp8FNwcCUxD3e_oSeCqQGL7ya_yGI78nLuMm0D8RejdpE5x9rcz_gx6A/s1600/14-Ynys-Groes-Rhosneigr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo9ga4BQfYmtPjvrA8yw0ONBC2i-7UkJem3ttak10mbL5psJH7FDCUsypB5LJ6mIEgXJxCXhk25TBrqgmmCAcKOp8FNwcCUxD3e_oSeCqQGL7ya_yGI78nLuMm0D8RejdpE5x9rcz_gx6A/s400/14-Ynys-Groes-Rhosneigr.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The three mounds of <a href="https://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?msid=204522493017632214738.00046c89e41d95117db1f&msa=0&ll=53.224728,-4.522483&spn=0.008581,0.022724" target="_blank">Ynys Groes</a> give the appearance of three separate islands, but they are classed as a single entity on the OS map. The island offers safe anchorage to small boats just off Rhosneigr.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CYzBRgALTeM/T8X8-jCMmBI/AAAAAAAACO4/Nrhc9m7Xu2Y/s1600/16-T-on-Ynys-Groes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CYzBRgALTeM/T8X8-jCMmBI/AAAAAAAACO4/Nrhc9m7Xu2Y/s400/16-T-on-Ynys-Groes.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">T scales one of the mounds on Ynys Groes</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3pc9Vr1cr3o/T8X9AEsBLoI/AAAAAAAACPA/xHerOm2OgRU/s1600/17-Ynys-Groes-Rhosneigr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3pc9Vr1cr3o/T8X9AEsBLoI/AAAAAAAACPA/xHerOm2OgRU/s400/17-Ynys-Groes-Rhosneigr.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking back to Rhosneigr from Ynys Groes</td></tr>
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<br />TC + DChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01262527192581395294noreply@blogger.com1Rhosneigr, Isle Of Anglesey, UK53.228996 -4.51976153.2194905 -4.539502 53.238501500000005 -4.50002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4670019149002401709.post-18692512253039544972012-05-17T10:10:00.000+01:002012-05-17T10:12:28.345+01:00Outdoor Photography: Island Journal Pt 20<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-on8iNJA5YrU/T7S-v20djKI/AAAAAAAACMY/E6BSdQyJY9s/s1600/Island-Journal-Osea-Island.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-on8iNJA5YrU/T7S-v20djKI/AAAAAAAACMY/E6BSdQyJY9s/s400/Island-Journal-Osea-Island.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">In part 20 of Tracy Hallett's
Island Journal, T covers our recent trip to Osea Island. The article appears in<i> <a href="http://www.facebook.com/outdoorphotographymag" target="_blank">Outdoor Photography</a></i><a href="http://www.facebook.com/outdoorphotographymag" target="_blank"> </a>magazine, Issue 153, June 2012. </span></div>TC + DChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01262527192581395294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4670019149002401709.post-67170837412342268952012-03-15T21:55:00.000+00:002012-05-10T21:16:00.595+01:00Essex - day 5: Osea Island<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxBGde60xlzYgYtojH_vQl6SMmFKDgC8SfqwHjdt2pWCZD_TY7JkISTA85jz0KpLS9rDFeUyRVtg8mBqA7dzsSZexP9cydb_unb0_QE3zlTkFW6IppiB8qugCUdiWzA3HoOZ3XXZzrroYZ/s1600/01-misty-lime.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxBGde60xlzYgYtojH_vQl6SMmFKDgC8SfqwHjdt2pWCZD_TY7JkISTA85jz0KpLS9rDFeUyRVtg8mBqA7dzsSZexP9cydb_unb0_QE3zlTkFW6IppiB8qugCUdiWzA3HoOZ3XXZzrroYZ/s400/01-misty-lime.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Our last full day in Essex finally saw us spend some time on <a href="http://www.oseaisland.co.uk/" target="_blank">Osea Island.</a> It was another misty start.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Yz1hLPJ243E/T6GfkueDlJI/AAAAAAAACJw/I46qdbQZ0ns/s1600/02-Osea-Island-shingle-beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Yz1hLPJ243E/T6GfkueDlJI/AAAAAAAACJw/I46qdbQZ0ns/s400/02-Osea-Island-shingle-beach.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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We strolled around the island's edge to see what we could find. Every so often the sea mist rolled in.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xVJtp3YhhfI/T6GfmHeJvgI/AAAAAAAACJ4/gL6WckB47Ug/s1600/03-swing-tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xVJtp3YhhfI/T6GfmHeJvgI/AAAAAAAACJ4/gL6WckB47Ug/s400/03-swing-tree.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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A swing on an oak tree was a good place to start.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lexlpCtsSdw/T6GlsN3J9BI/AAAAAAAACL8/wdsy_dssweQ/s1600/Osea-Island-walk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lexlpCtsSdw/T6GlsN3J9BI/AAAAAAAACL8/wdsy_dssweQ/s400/Osea-Island-walk.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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A grassy path, walled by thickets of blackthorn and trees guided us around the northeast part of the island...<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0BnjP3XwK0w/T6GftCDFhQI/AAAAAAAACKQ/HMXymrPo-V0/s1600/06-Osea-Island-lane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0BnjP3XwK0w/T6GftCDFhQI/AAAAAAAACKQ/HMXymrPo-V0/s400/06-Osea-Island-lane.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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... before we picked up the island's road...<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LS2HMZnerxk/T6GfukNgPmI/AAAAAAAACKY/RmvFRYU0GHo/s1600/07-BTS-causeway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LS2HMZnerxk/T6GfukNgPmI/AAAAAAAACKY/RmvFRYU0GHo/s400/07-BTS-causeway.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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... that leads to the causeway.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3sGJnqp4rII/T6Gfv7hXpmI/AAAAAAAACKg/-W4TM9b86E8/s1600/08-Osea-Island-causeway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3sGJnqp4rII/T6Gfv7hXpmI/AAAAAAAACKg/-W4TM9b86E8/s400/08-Osea-Island-causeway.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-57gjdFlZURo/T6GfzV2iw8I/AAAAAAAACKw/-ZvdYb8RQm4/s1600/10-south-coast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-57gjdFlZURo/T6GfzV2iw8I/AAAAAAAACKw/-ZvdYb8RQm4/s400/10-south-coast.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The salt marsh of the north coast is replaced by a pebbled shore on the south coast. As a result, erosion is much more apparent here.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r8-6YSDem-c/T6Gf2r8msSI/AAAAAAAACLA/E7NtYODfMwU/s1600/12-Osea-Island-houses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r8-6YSDem-c/T6Gf2r8msSI/AAAAAAAACLA/E7NtYODfMwU/s400/12-Osea-Island-houses.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Osea Island houses</td></tr>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O-BEdKQTr9s/T6Gf3yJxMMI/AAAAAAAACLI/oKi1FWPadJ0/s1600/13-Osea-Island-lunch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O-BEdKQTr9s/T6Gf3yJxMMI/AAAAAAAACLI/oKi1FWPadJ0/s400/13-Osea-Island-lunch.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Returning to our cottage, we enjoyed a restful lunch, looking over the River Blackwater. Osea Island has a long history of treating addiction. Sitting on the white garden furniture near the water creates the pleasant sensation of visiting a 19th century sanatorium.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6n4Nn3O1TypAOUV_p1aqe_yfyoVb4CSNugtzRCDkBUtd13S1OCx1uAb1VOmt89G1KbPNjOC6vxbCruIMqI0KdRbk6IurLKatvCHJtL5s2lTYiAhevmIJX5DjcCLZAOlN-WAmpj-KIJrDV/s1600/15-Osea-Island-village.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6n4Nn3O1TypAOUV_p1aqe_yfyoVb4CSNugtzRCDkBUtd13S1OCx1uAb1VOmt89G1KbPNjOC6vxbCruIMqI0KdRbk6IurLKatvCHJtL5s2lTYiAhevmIJX5DjcCLZAOlN-WAmpj-KIJrDV/s400/15-Osea-Island-village.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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After lunch, we ventured into Osea Island 'village' – a collection of holiday cottages and apartments.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-awCx0gxj_-Q/T6Gf8rd-vwI/AAAAAAAACLg/arcQgWEu6Vo/s1600/16-Osea-Island-house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-awCx0gxj_-Q/T6Gf8rd-vwI/AAAAAAAACLg/arcQgWEu6Vo/s400/16-Osea-Island-house.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This house is by the second electronic gate that gives access to the island. A code has to be punched in before the gate opens, allowing you to enter.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--uzHmQAk22w/T6Gf9mHbwsI/AAAAAAAACLo/9Kf-G9l1jVU/s1600/17-Osea-Island-house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--uzHmQAk22w/T6Gf9mHbwsI/AAAAAAAACLo/9Kf-G9l1jVU/s400/17-Osea-Island-house.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This huge house is divided into six large apartments.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ODB9CFw1m6c/T6Gf-6UOFfI/AAAAAAAACLw/2pa_Wd14c7U/s1600/18-Osea-Island-pond.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ODB9CFw1m6c/T6Gf-6UOFfI/AAAAAAAACLw/2pa_Wd14c7U/s400/18-Osea-Island-pond.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Essex had surprised us. It is much wilder than we could have imagined, in landscape and character. There's a sense of a frontier land, of rules being broken, of an independent spirit. The constant proximity to water and mazes of muddy channels, surrounded by an unremitting flatness casts a chilling, Victorian atmosphere at times. When the fog rolls in, it becomes a place where dreadful things could happen, quietly. But for the most part, it's a lovely place to walk, especially along the seemingly endless sea wall, looking over various rivers and fields, enjoying the open space, spotting the abundant wildlife.</div>TC + DChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01262527192581395294noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4670019149002401709.post-68164670511808248282012-03-14T20:42:00.000+00:002012-05-10T21:16:00.598+01:00Essex - day 4: Bridgemarsh Island<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZagZavViD6M4QtiqLP2UaTPt3Yc9ijESL6lxOJp4L6dmqWbzJr6twGIiOp5vfD77_4DIxJEsWuPm8zKEu3ZQuldZOYmKjjm6CDj002XooelX2Z9Mt2cvWH9VPVRNnt8Rr2ATssXFT19yZ/s1600/01-Bridgemarsh-marina.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZagZavViD6M4QtiqLP2UaTPt3Yc9ijESL6lxOJp4L6dmqWbzJr6twGIiOp5vfD77_4DIxJEsWuPm8zKEu3ZQuldZOYmKjjm6CDj002XooelX2Z9Mt2cvWH9VPVRNnt8Rr2ATssXFT19yZ/s400/01-Bridgemarsh-marina.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Bridgemarsh Island lies to the south of Maldon on the River Crouch. It's a short walk to Bridgemarsh Marina from Althorne train station.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pQvlcKfGQzg/T6GIdXpcsEI/AAAAAAAACGw/qIDn7UtCUok/s1600/02-Bridgemarsh-Marina-hut.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pQvlcKfGQzg/T6GIdXpcsEI/AAAAAAAACGw/qIDn7UtCUok/s400/02-Bridgemarsh-Marina-hut.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The island used to have a seawall around it, but the flood of 1953 put paid to that. Since then, channels crisscross the land, slowly returning it to the sea.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iDRG5hhiv8c/T6GIfMplfoI/AAAAAAAACG4/hM28LK1t-_A/s1600/03-Bridgemarsh-Marina-seawall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iDRG5hhiv8c/T6GIfMplfoI/AAAAAAAACG4/hM28LK1t-_A/s400/03-Bridgemarsh-Marina-seawall.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The trusty seawall on the mainland runs parallel to the length of Bridgemarsh Island.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sRIJ8Oz2-ko/T6GIgcKRPyI/AAAAAAAACHA/2AXnV8Ni5fs/s1600/04-Bridgemarsh-island-tip.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sRIJ8Oz2-ko/T6GIgcKRPyI/AAAAAAAACHA/2AXnV8Ni5fs/s400/04-Bridgemarsh-island-tip.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bridgemarsh Island (eastern tip)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nSSQ1q9OQCI/T6GIifshOFI/AAAAAAAACHI/DwNxaWnKYSQ/s1600/05-Bridgemarsh-island.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nSSQ1q9OQCI/T6GIifshOFI/AAAAAAAACHI/DwNxaWnKYSQ/s400/05-Bridgemarsh-island.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bridgemarsh Island (southeast bank)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lxEl7pXEp9Q/T6GIopMsvvI/AAAAAAAACHg/7KOa6Q6qH18/s1600/08-Essex-home.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lxEl7pXEp9Q/T6GIopMsvvI/AAAAAAAACHg/7KOa6Q6qH18/s400/08-Essex-home.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The</i> Essex home</td></tr>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xcNn-EDOJZ0/T6GIqbinMBI/AAAAAAAACHo/m84p0gul_l4/s1600/09-hawthorn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xcNn-EDOJZ0/T6GIqbinMBI/AAAAAAAACHo/m84p0gul_l4/s400/09-hawthorn.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5Hu6xI6kehY/T6GIr-9mr-I/AAAAAAAACHw/AUU4Lntncmg/s1600/10-Bridgemarsh-groynes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5Hu6xI6kehY/T6GIr-9mr-I/AAAAAAAACHw/AUU4Lntncmg/s400/10-Bridgemarsh-groynes.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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There's no escaping the mud. The groynes point out to Bridgemarsh Island.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qqJru6Kx_10/T6GItUwljUI/AAAAAAAACH4/DGjwMHxff3Y/s1600/11-Bridgemarsh-mud.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qqJru6Kx_10/T6GItUwljUI/AAAAAAAACH4/DGjwMHxff3Y/s400/11-Bridgemarsh-mud.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wG0UU6wSXfs/T6GIvWLBBBI/AAAAAAAACIA/Hsy6MRywXz4/s1600/12-Bridgemarsh+end.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wG0UU6wSXfs/T6GIvWLBBBI/AAAAAAAACIA/Hsy6MRywXz4/s400/12-Bridgemarsh+end.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bridgemarsh Island (western tip)</td></tr>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S3YmQXMHa0s/T6GIw0dzBUI/AAAAAAAACII/HJcuSBvY17c/s1600/13-sit+down.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S3YmQXMHa0s/T6GIw0dzBUI/AAAAAAAACII/HJcuSBvY17c/s400/13-sit+down.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yZ9zZSsKM0I/T6GIy9gEOwI/AAAAAAAACIQ/_ctY-PJsyKc/s1600/14-Bridgemarsh-chalet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yZ9zZSsKM0I/T6GIy9gEOwI/AAAAAAAACIQ/_ctY-PJsyKc/s400/14-Bridgemarsh-chalet.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smugglers Club, Althorne, Essex</td></tr>
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Facing Bridgemarsh Island is a sizeable enclave of static caravans, chalets and bungalows called the Smugglers Club.</div>
<br />TC + DChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01262527192581395294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4670019149002401709.post-59120565147866872782012-03-14T09:00:00.000+00:002012-05-10T21:16:00.593+01:00Pewet Island<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RJpgBA0nPrg/T6GUi9PkM9I/AAAAAAAACIc/DxnMHCMtpoA/s1600/01-Bradwell-marina.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RJpgBA0nPrg/T6GUi9PkM9I/AAAAAAAACIc/DxnMHCMtpoA/s400/01-Bradwell-marina.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Our second stop of the day was at Bradwell, located on the River Blackwater. We pulled into Bradwell Marina as the sun was waning.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gf7VU3kzE00/T6GUkibeoWI/AAAAAAAACIk/Ml9M_jYF6LQ/s1600/02-Bradwell-Chandlery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gf7VU3kzE00/T6GUkibeoWI/AAAAAAAACIk/Ml9M_jYF6LQ/s400/02-Bradwell-Chandlery.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bradwell Marina chandlery</td></tr>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qCpyHsfY4VI/T6GUmEv5hjI/AAAAAAAACIs/mzcMSgUEiOo/s1600/03-Pewet-Island.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qCpyHsfY4VI/T6GUmEv5hjI/AAAAAAAACIs/mzcMSgUEiOo/s400/03-Pewet-Island.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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We'd travelled over to see this: Pewet Island.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xUk235J1hQg/T6GUnVpkakI/AAAAAAAACI0/Bcm65TowCPc/s1600/04-Bradwell-power-station-caravans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xUk235J1hQg/T6GUnVpkakI/AAAAAAAACI0/Bcm65TowCPc/s400/04-Bradwell-power-station-caravans.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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But Bradwell Power Station was perhaps more eye catching.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UugJvbrqONc/T6GUoNnPW7I/AAAAAAAACI8/RuvCsF-wBJw/s1600/05-Pewet-Island-silhouette.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UugJvbrqONc/T6GUoNnPW7I/AAAAAAAACI8/RuvCsF-wBJw/s400/05-Pewet-Island-silhouette.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pewet Island, Essex</td></tr>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DgNp2H_yF7k/T6GUr8-4oLI/AAAAAAAACJM/T7XDx6nU_PY/s1600/07-Pewet-Island.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DgNp2H_yF7k/T6GUr8-4oLI/AAAAAAAACJM/T7XDx6nU_PY/s400/07-Pewet-Island.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Pewet Island seen from the shore at Bradwell.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UYMS3ZPjQ9g/T6GUstf5kEI/AAAAAAAACJU/GVr0BEMzi-s/s1600/08-Pewet-Island.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UYMS3ZPjQ9g/T6GUstf5kEI/AAAAAAAACJU/GVr0BEMzi-s/s400/08-Pewet-Island.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pewet Island, Essex</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3wYLUX6w6FQ/T6GUuBPzKdI/AAAAAAAACJc/6G7aneqEiks/s1600/09-Pewet-Island.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3wYLUX6w6FQ/T6GUuBPzKdI/AAAAAAAACJc/6G7aneqEiks/s400/09-Pewet-Island.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pewet Island, Essex</td></tr>
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<br />TC + DChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01262527192581395294noreply@blogger.com0