Dunstanburgh and Embleton - Northumberland

It was a cold but bright day last Sunday when we drove to Craster and walked along the coast past Dunstanburgh Castle and then along the beach across Embleton Bay. At one point we encountered a stream running across the beach that was too wide/deep to be crossed wearing boots. Failing to find a bridge upstream, we decided to take off our boots and socks and wade across. I have rarely felt such pain, the water must have been just above freezing point. How people can swim in the sea during the winter is beyond me!






Part of the Whin Sill I presume, a protrusion of hard igneous rock that surfaces in these parts.



There is a collection of beach huts at Low Newton by the Sea, this one caught the sun nicely and produced a reflection in the wet sand.



Holy Trinity, Embleton Parish Church



We had intended to catch the bus back to Craster, but despite having consulted the Internet timetable to confirm its operation, there were no buses on a Sunday. We therefore walked rather further than planned!

Canon 5D 24-70L

Fatfield in the Snow

Now that the snow has gone (permanently I hope) I feel that it is safe to post some wintry shots.

The river Wear, not frozen over, but with patches of ice.




A couple of shots of Penshaw Monument






Canon 5D 24-70L

The One That Got Away

I visited the Washington Wetlands Centre (http://www.wwt.org.uk/washington) this afternoon and spent a very cold hour within the woodland hide. The usual suspects were to be seen, a blackbird or two, bullfinch, chaffinch, various tits and the ubiquitous Robin. Rumour has it that a tree creeper was spotted, but not by me.

Lulled into a false sense of security, I completely missed the opportunity when a Sparrow Hawk plunged into the scene, briefly alighted on a branch and was gone as quickly as it had appeared. Needless to say, the locals all scattered.






I used my aged Vivitar 285 flash to take these photographs. The birds don't appear to be bothered by flash, whereas movement or noise does disturb them.

Canon 450D Sigma 100-300 f4 Vivitar 285 flashgun.

First post of 2010 - Sledging down Worm Hill

Those who know the song, The Legend of the Lambton Worm, might also know the location of the hill around which this mythical creature wrapped itself three times.



Canon 5D 24-70L