Adrian's Photoblog

The world is full of wonderful beaches...and no-one would choose the Bournemouth area as the best of the lot...!! But in my opinion, on it's day, the beach below Highcliffe Castle near Christchurch is unbeatable. The descent through the pine trees gives furtive glimpses of the sea and as you get lower, then you see the beach, sea and Isle of Wight and it's always hugely uplifting. On the beach the outlook to Isle of Wight and Hengistbury Head is stunning, and the backdrop of pine trees behing the beach is the icing on the cake.

We went down after work yesterday and stayed for a couple of hours and had a BBQ and it was just gorgeous. Izzy and her friend braved the sea and had a great time on the boat in the waves. The changing light as the evening progressed was really dramatic...as you can see from the set if you click on the picture

Just for those who love data...especially geographical data - we've had some unusual rainfall in Romsey lately...and I thought I'd make a note of it here.

25 May - 15mm
26 May - 46mm
27 May - 0
28 May - 15mm
29 May -15mm (that's 90mm in 5 days against an average May rainfall of 45mm)

...and 3 June then had 40mm

There you have it...

I've promised (they would say threatened) to take the girls along Striding Edge and have stayed at our rented caravan in Patterdale twice before and not done it. This year we did it and I was a proud man as wife and daughter relished it and made light work of the scrambling. Dee had done it 3 times before (over 20 years ago now..!!) and confidently takled all the scrambling without wavering from the crest. Izzy was like a mountain goat and seemed to find energy rarely seen on mountains and scampered ahead almost unable to stop - eventually going on ahead where she met us on the summit.

After my many crossings the fine situation and consistent quality and difficulty of the scrambling still impressed me greatly....and I think it's also the perfect length - not to short to leave you wanting more (as Sharp Edge can be) but not so long that it becomes 'too much of a good thing'.

I haven't done it in shorts for a very long time and there was something of a party feel on the ridge with so many first timers on the ridge...some struggling, but all really proud of their achievements. A great day out in the best of lakeland.

To see the set, click on the link below (or the photo)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/adeeh2/sets/72157605484925682/