Sunday 9 February 2014

Bleak & Beautiful

Sometimes you just have to get out don't you. Even if it's heaving down and there are gales trying to blow you to kingdom come. We discovered a new bit of coastline yesterday, well new to me, this is Woody's old stamping ground of the Wyre and Fylde coasts. 

We togged ourselves up, new wellies got an airing and once our hoods were up we hardly noticed the rain and wind. It was just fantastic, exhilarating, to be out there, being blown about, sandblasted and getting lungs full of the freshest, fresh air.
This is Rossall Point, close to Fleetwood which was once the country's busiest fishing port but these days is a struggling coastal town. Such a shame, there's stunning scenery and great architecture. I loved the North Euston Hotel and it's curved, sweeping frontage. It must have been fabulous in its heyday. 

We climbed the observation tower that monitors shipping and the tides and is manned by lovely volunteers who welcome bird watchers and anyone keen to explore this estuary landscape with views across Morecambe Bay and the Lakeland hills.
 Even on a raw, epic afternoon it was beautiful. Such stunning textures, sounds and colour. We saw lots of oystercatchers and waders in their element in the storms. Brilliant. Exactly what we all needed. Of course Blackpool had to follow. More about that next time!




12 comments:

Laura said...

There's nothing better than a walk on an empty beach in the winter. We walked along Sandy Hook, NJ (where we live) on New Year's Day... There was ice & snow and it was blooming freezing, but we spotted a snowy owl sat in the dunes. A bird watcher said he'd being doing that for 30 years and hadn't seen one, so I guess we were pretty lucky! Happy Sunday. Lx

Country Rabbit said...

looks a lovely coastal scene...always good to get out whatever the weather ;0)x

CJ said...

What stunning photos. I do love bleak but breathtaking winter seascapes, they're utterly beautiful. Glad you had such a good walk.

driftwood said...

ooh looks fabulous. x have you warmed up yet?

Schotzy said...

Yes, sometimes my spirit calls for bleak.....as long as there is a toasty fire nearby! Breath taking views!

Unknown said...

Lovely photos. Thanks for sharing. It's nice to see something not covered by snow : )

Anonymous said...

You are braver than me Steph to face the wind and rain, it looks absolutely stunning though. While you were feeling the fresh, icy air we were feeling the heat here down under! Your post is making me look forward to some cool weather! Simone xx

Margje-Margo said...

the pictures are great, but I really like your writing, I was there for a moment, getting blown about! Thank you you for sharing!

thrift deluxe said...

The observation point is brilliant isn't it, I love going up there. The shipwreck Abana has been visible recently too, the dubious weather has some high points!

SandyshoesCornwall said...

Great to get a dose of fresh sea air isn't it. I think being sand blasted is a cheap way to exfoliate, but it doesn't help if you're wearing glasses! Lovely to see your new pictures x

Rebecca D said...

We live by the ocean and I love the shore in the winter... When I tell people this they look at me like I'm nuts. Of course today it was 7 degrees (Fahrenheit) today so no beach time for me!

Attic24 said...

We have been visiting this coast and discovering it's natural beauty, although we tend to go a bit further up nearer to Lakeland. Do you know Heysham village? It' lovely there. You have inspired me to head there this week if we can, I sure could do with a blast of sea air.
Lots of love
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