Amazing rocks at Kilve on the North Somerset coast. It's a Site of Special Scientific Interest and really astonishing. The photos really don't do it justice. There were all sorts of layers and so many different types of rock all in one place. I know absolutely nothing about geology, but I imagine it's even more fascinating if you know exactly what you're looking at. We found fossils galore.
It used to be a smuggling port, with barrels of spirit brought in under cover of darkness and carried away on hardy little smugglers' ponies. The story goes that when the revenue men came a-calling the barrels were set on fire.
There was the usual selection of plastic on the beach. Leanne, I picked up this plastic ring for you to make up for the ball. (Leanne lives in Cornwall and has been out picking up some of the stuff that rolls in with every tide.) It's a big bad problem out there in the world's oceans. No doubt you've seen the photos of it all clumping together in ghastly plastic islands and of birds making their nests from it so that their chicks start their lives all tangled in it. I loathe plastic with a vengeance.
We got a bit competitive in our fossil hunting. We didn't move any of them, just looked. We left the beach as we found it, no stones removed, nothing left behind. It really was a remarkable place. Wordsworth used to come here apparently. Bit different from the daffodils.
Thank you for all of your suggestions as to what my mystery flower might be. Amanda identified it for me, it was a pink sanguisorba. I'm adding it to my list of things to look out for. It's a very long list... There's a great post about some of the best plants for pollinators on Countryside Tales if you're wondering what's good to plant for different insects.
I hope you all have a lovely Sunday. I actually have a football-free morning so I shall hove myself into the kitchen and bake something for those who have not given up sugar and pudding for Lent. (That's everyone apart from me). Lent has flown by and the jeans aren't much looser. I think I may be eating too much cheese to compensate. I actually dreamt about Stilton last night. I think's its a sign.
Blogland is great isn't it, you only have to ask the question and hey presto! I'm off in the garden soon, beautiful sunny day today here. We are moving a raised bed just a couple of inches and because it's full of soil that's no mean feat! I will have a look at that list, I'm having some raised flower beds made for the top of the garden and I want to fill them with bee friendly flowers. Happy baking! :) xxx
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful coast, certainly a lot different to where I live. Amazing fossils, your boys must have been in 7th heaven. Happy baking!
ReplyDeleteOnly one subject that I enjoyed in school back in the day and that was Geology which led to passing interest in paleontology. Your pictures have piqued my interest once more CJ.
ReplyDeleteAnother tip for good pollinator plants is to watch in the garden centres which plants are attracting the bees etc.
ReplyDeletePlastic is even worse for sea life when it breaks up into granules. I despair of how much plastic and cans litter road side verges, - why would anyone think it was OK to throw such rubbish from their cars.
Brilliant fossils. You must have incredible will power to bake for everyone whilst abstaining yourself - I'm sure I'd have to have a sneaky taste! Enjoy the week. xx
ReplyDeleteThat looks like a brilliant place to explore, my boys would have loved it.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Meredith
What great photos! I am sure you had a wonderful time exploring on that beach.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed seeing the fossils and hearing about the beach. I'm with you regarding plastic. I remember seeing a documentary about the oceans and great floating mini islands of plastic, but I think what really brought it home to me was seeing a bird with one of those plastic drink rings (that hold a six pack of drinks together) the ring was jammed around its neck. Have you read the two fiction books about Mary Anning's life. One is by a Canadian author Joan Thomas. it is a rather fine read. Jean Winnipeg
ReplyDeleteBeautiful stones, rocks, shells and fossils,you have so many interesting specimens there. Lovely patterns and the stones look so smooth when polished by the sea and wind.
ReplyDeleteI really like ammonites. Our oceans are being destroyed by plastics and many birds and sea creatures die because they are entrapped by plastic rings, plastic bags, fishing lines and hooks, it is a tragedy which could be avoided. These microscopic pieces of plastic have now entered the food chain risking human health as well.
Happy baking!
xoxoxo ♡
Interesting post, and fascinating pictures. Enjoy the rest of the weekend. Flighty xx
ReplyDeleteWhat a fascinating read, CJ. Your photos are so interesting. I love to hunt for fossils. We have very different ones here, not being close to water. It really is scary and sad to think of how much plastic there is in our oceans, and what it does to the plants and animals. There is a lot of plastic trash blowing through open spaces in my area too, especially this time of year when the wind is very strong. I'm constantly picking up trash that has blown into my yard. I've started trying hard not to bring more plastic bags into the house when I shop. Luckily the store I shop in most often will give you a credit for every reusable bag you bring in with you. The points go toward discounts on gasoline at their own fuel pumps. I have been saving money on gas too, so it's a good situation all around when I remember to bring bags with me. :) I hope you're having a good weekend.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing place you visited! I also detest plastic and how people just litter the world with it. Those plastic islands - a lot of that is from the Tsunami in Japan.. and yes, a lot of it is from idiots who dump their trash in the ocean. Geez. We're having out son's family over for a going-away dinner.. they're moving to California. :-(
ReplyDeleteYou are good not taking anything, It is extremely frustrating about the amount of plastic in the seas and the hedgerows xx
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your fascinating finds, CJ. I have seen few fossils, in the wild on my own, but where we live now has interesting specimens of petrified wood and other rocks that were collected by the original owners who had a rock shop. I too hate the plastic islands littering the oceans, and worry that my recycling efforts fall far short of helping the situation. Thanks for caring...which spurs on my efforts to improve my recycling efforts! xx
ReplyDeleteKilve is somewhere I know well, it really is a fascinating place isn't it. The beach is great for exploring and the walks are great with stunning scenery. I am glad you enjoyed your visit. xx
ReplyDeleteI'd not heard of Kilve before now – it looks an intriguing place. The whole litter/plastic situation thoroughly depresses me. As well as the stuff washing up on beaches here, we have the added joy of lorries chucking out all their rubbish onto the verges, so the hedgerows and trees along the roads to the port are covered in bags, plastic bottles, etc. It makes it look even more of a dump. Sigh. Hope you enjoyed your footie-free day and have a good week ahead. Sam x
ReplyDeletewhat lovely rocks. x I've eaten very little chocolate and my jeans are no looser either, I think I might be with you on the excessive cheese....
ReplyDeleteNatural creates very beautiful things, true works of art! Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteKatie x
http://long-may-she-rain.blogspot.co.uk
I'm new to your blog and highly recommended by my wife, Alexandra. I'm a London expat, living in Colorado but still have family in both London and Yorkshire. Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed reading through your blog and look forward to learning more about you and your family. Your photos are lovely and yes, sad to know our oceans are being polluted. I did read an article just yesterday of a 20 year old lad who's created an invention to begin sifting the ocean and hopefully, in time, cleaning out the plastic and such tossed in.
ReplyDeleteHope you have a wonderful week!
Beautiful collages CJ - what a fascinating place. My husband would love it! Bet your boys had a blast.
ReplyDeleteWhat great fossils - fascinating. By coincidence, I was talking about plastic debris in the ocean with one of my daughters today. Apparently, lids from take away coffees are one of the worst things.
ReplyDeleteYou visited a beautiful place. I love rocks and fossils. Am married to a geographer which is handy when visiting places as I also know next to nothing about rock formations! Thank you for the link my dear :-) xx
ReplyDeleteThere is something very calming about these photos and colors. When I click on my internet browser, before I select a specific website, it gives me little thumbnails of all of the ones I visit most frequently and their current content. Yours caught my eye immediately. I hope you enjoyed the football free day!
ReplyDeletewhat an astonishing place you have taken us to this week (sorry - last week). your photos are fully of wonder and awe. the colours are so soft and calm - so that bright plastic ring really jars.
ReplyDeleteI shall wish you happy easter as that is now just around the corner :-)
I really love your blog CJ but you might like to know that many of your blog roll links go to the same page rather than their intended destination. Wishing you a happy Easter :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for letting me know, I've no idea how that happened, I'll have a look at it. Wishing you a happy Easter as well. CJ xx
DeleteBeautiful photos and a beautiful place! I'd like to visit there one day :) The abnormality of the plastic in these photos is striking, and not in a good way. :( It makes me more conscious of the waste I'm producing every day and how I can go about dramatically reducing it :)
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter since it's only a few days away now! :)
Thank you for your very good site….
ReplyDeleteLOL dreaming of stilton. That sounds great. I want cheese now. I have a friend that is a monochrome dresser. She teases herself about it, but her style is impeccable that she can do whatever she wants. I wish I was like that. I get a football/soccer free weekend next weekend. I am secretly happy indeed. I will compensate with some baking as well. Maybe chocolate sugar cookies...
ReplyDeleteA lovely spot apart from the plastic! Sarah x
ReplyDeleteWe took your recommendation and visited Kilve yesterday. Such an amazing place. Thank you.
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