Xmas week....Still stormy

The stormy weather continues relentlessly, it is now starting to get people down. Although the pictures generally have some light in them the reality has been dawn to dusk semi light. The cloud-base has been very low, the rain has been considerable, the winds gale-force at times, but it is still unseasonably mild and the winter solstice is now behind us, yippee.

 The tide has brought all the rubbish to the entrance to Western Gailes

I wasn't sure what this was at first but as we closed in it became obvious that it had washed off from a fishing boat.

This is more like it the rain hitting the Irvine side of the bay

Xmas day.

Dec'16 2013.....Storm damage

Our coast has been battered by even stronger storms than those that blew in during the previous weeks. My walk along the beach today showed the effects of the pounding it has received. Our dunes are not large and we can ill afford to lose these but they have collapsed all along the beach. As you can see from this picture the grass on the left to middle should not be there. You can see the fence line is collapsing as the sands subside.
The bird flying over will be hoping to pick up fresh insects in this debris but not many others will be pleased.
However this is nature at work at only time will demonstrate what effect this will have.





You can see from the following how much sand has been pushed up by the high tides. The 1st shot was take earlier in the year, the bottom two today. Although most of the hanging display has survived the sand lines have risen significantly.

Before

Sand piled high

Sand now covering the left side

Further along the beach i took this shot looking out to sea. There should not be any shrubbery from this viewpoint but now there is!!

wef Dec9th'13......Dark dark days

At this time of the year the days are the shortest and frequently the gloomiest. Constant cloud cover results in very dark days indeed. It seems that we have the house lights constantly on, not a good sign. Still to be positive the temperature is still milder than normal and the shortest day is only a few weeks away.
The winds are damaging most days, neighbours have lost roof tiles but so far we have escaped unscathed.
These 3 shots were all taken around 9am, nice and dark with threatening morning red skies.

wef Dec2nd.....Stormy Weather

Like most of Britain we were hit by storm force winds which combined with full moon high tides meant the water surges were spectacular. My morning walk was interesting, it is no exaggeration to say that I was struggling to keep my feet at times in the strong gusts.

 The tide is retreating from its highest level, you can see the amount of seaweed pushed up the beach on both of these pictures.

A not untypical December stormy day however the temperatures are unseasonably high so not all doom and gloom.

wef 25Nov13.....Big Skies week

Overall a good week, still plenty of mixed weather around, as always when you go out in this fine country be prepared to get wet.

 Blue skies this morning

 Winter clouds over Arran

 2 dog walkers on a deserted beach

 Towards Troon with the Merrick just peaking up on the horizon

Red sky in the morning shepherds warning

Week 18th Nov'13 Arran

It has been a better weather week even though its much colder and there are still very strong winds at times but the blue skies on many of these days make everyone much happier.

Arran is looking spectacular with its dusting of snow. The island is known as 'the sleeping warrior' and if you look from right to left you can see why it gets this name.
The dog wandered into the photo just as I snapped. I took another shot without the dog but when comparing them I think that the dog adds something to the photo.

 A zoomed shot illustrates perfectly the mountainous terrain with the Arran's highest top 'Goatfell', on the left, showing its magnificent profile well.

Further along the beach the clouds are blowing in from the north with further wintery conditions expected.

week 11thNov'13 Clouds and blue sky

This was a poor week for the bay. We had a week of grey skies, high winds and a fair amount of rain. At times the house lights were on early afternoon thinking it was impending night already. Gloomy stuff indeed.
However on one day we did get a weather break for 10 minutes whilst I was out walking and I snapped these.

This view looking at Troon harbour would normally have the Ailsa Craig prominent but today the stormy cloud hides the island. looks nice but you know there is a squally rain-shower in among those clouds.

5 minutes later the storm clouds have gone but so has the Ailsa Craig!!!

Week 4th November What a difference

Even though the weather is improving still a deserted beach

The tanker is still there with Arran behind

Low tide, blue skies it must be summer, not.

Arran behind the bushes

Troon harbour with Ailsa Craig prominent

1st Nov'13 deserted beach

There goes another month, two left and then another year disappears, alive only in the memory. They say it is better to live for the moment and not the past so out I go for my morning saunter. I have been jog/walking this week but the tendon is flaring up this morning so just the walk. This is definitely the windiest day of the week and a touch cooler into the bargain. I have been fortunate to get out most mornings this week but that will not always be the case so there will be more irregular postings.

Guess who put on less gear this morning? The reason was because I was overheating yesterday? Well I will just need to get up a faster pace and get the body warm. For a change I went the golf course side of the beach. It is obviously a different perspective and also you are slightly sheltered from wind thanks to the dunes and the undulating nature of the golf course. You also get to see people as the green-keepers are out doing their stuff.
All my photos today show a little bit of greenery just to show you that it is not all sand, sea and cloud.

A tanker rides on the waves waiting for its turn to go somewhere. I think to the open cast mine at Hunterston. It has been noticeable over the last couple of years how many tankers are 'docking' at sea, presumably the cheaper option, saving port fees etc.

Two views from the 7th tee at Western Gailes golf course, the hole is appropriately called 'sea'. It is a short but testing par 3. It is rated as one of the best par 3's in Scotland.
Whether running or walking I always stop at this tee for a few seconds to take in the view.
Today the wind was straight off the sea which makes this a very testing golf course today. The design of the course is effectively 2 nines side by side. Therefore, if you have a strong wind off the sea, or indeed from the east, then your ball is always going to move sideways and sideways here is a lot of rough. get the sniffer dog out or take a lot of balls with you.
I will post more photos of the course as we go on.

31st October 2013 Sea Foam

The storm is still hitting us pretty hard this morning, but thankfully just strong southerly winds, no rain. The jog/walk back home will be pretty tough today. It will be a good test for the lungs.





As can be seen from this snap the clouds, the beach and the sea are merging into the one set of tones. A fairly normal scene for this time of the day.

The stormy weather conditions have allowed sea foam to form. In some countries this develops to the extent a human could walk through it and be covered from head to toe. However, this would not recommended, as sea foam is said to contain noxious substances and could be harmful to humans as well as the marine life. Some of these foam types are natural formations but in some places could be man made and these are more likely to be toxic.

Just 5 minutes later the sun makes an appearance and the colours are more vivid, almost a summers day. This will be short lived as heavy rain forecast today.
The changing light is truely one of the joys of living in this area. The wind is not!!

30th Oct 2013 Where are all the people

A calmer morning with lower winds today but as you can see it still high tide along the bay.

The beach is in a mess and you can see from the above the two tide lines illustrated by the seaweed trails. The beach will be cleaned by nature only until at least March. The beach straddles two local authority councils, East & South Ayrshire, but they do not always agree to clean up.

Further north along the beach is a lot cleaner. The high tide has not reached this level today. You can see my footprint trail which is from yesterday.

29th Oct 2013 All the seasons in one walk

 This view was taken at Barassie sands looking northwards along Irvine Bay with the North Ayrshire coastline in the distance including the towns of Saltcoats and Stevenston. The high tide is starting to recede.

About 15 minutes later the view from the beach, Arran just visible in the distance. The stormy weather has taken the seaweed out to sea and the tide is returning it.

The same location but looking south towards Troon harbour with the Carrick hills outside Ayr visible.

Again the same viewpoint with Troon harbour magnified.