A stark contrast against yesterday’s beautiful sunshine this morning, dull grey clouds block out the sun and a light consistent rain, that the wind pummels into you as you walk, greats me this morning. Though not as cold as yesterday the wind still forces you to wrap up to fend off its cold bite.
I head down the coast path where rose hips and some remaining slows cling on to the branches of Roses and Blackthorn as the small bushes are thrown around by the wind. The skies seem free of birds this morning with only a couple of brave Wood Pigeons and Herring Gulls passing by. Even the hedge rows are quiet, though this may be because I can’t hear over the howling wind.
Heading round the headland the Tamarisk fronds whipping to and frow, while the sea below relentlessly crashes into the cliffs. I spot the frantic wing beats of a Guillemot heading out to sea, desperately trying to battle the wind, it eventually gives up and fly’s back towards the ledge.
Looking back towards the Guillemot ledge, it’s an almost full house this morning, though not to full to be uncomfortable. A handful leave, with a couple of them deciding against it and heading back while others plough on. Approximately ten rest on the tumultuous water below the ledge, seemingly unfazed by the white horses rushing underneath them at regular intervals. Their dark chocolate brown backs hard to spot in the dull gloomy water.
Down the gully where I find a brief reprieve from the wind, the waves crash over the lower ledges at the bottom of gully. Heading up the other side I get brief glimpses of a Rock Pipit heading up the path, as it pops below the path and back up at regular intervals.