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