Category: Love

Part 21 of my coverage regarding daily treks down and around Whaligoe Steps which began back in May, 2023…

This blog entry covers the duration from Monday, February 5th, 2024, up to and including Sunday, February 18th, 2024.

There was snow once again, winds and prolific rainfall, plus outbursts of golden rays of sunshine. Momentary hints of the beautiful sunrises which regularly visit this coastline were observed too, plus most encouragingly, the presence of seabirds like gulls and fulmars gathering on the rocky ledges.

Feb. 5th, 2024: Mild and cloudy trek during this Monday moment. The photograph below capturing the wet and overcast day perfectly.

Feb. 6th, 2024: Seabirds wearing fancy dress costumes, or could they be jackdaws?

Feb. 7th, 2024: Below shows the third flight of Whaligoe Steps carrying the weight of some snowfall.

It was during this trek where I was able to photograph and experience an incoming blizzard which I’ll share…

This blizzard was brief, and quite an experience.

Feb. 8th, 2024: Snow remained prominent as can be seen by the photograph below. Sitting on the tips of the shrubbery were hints of snowfall bathed in the rays of a winter sun.

Feb. 9th, 2024: By Friday, most of the snow had thawed. It comes and goes along this coastline at quite a pace.

The photograph below shows off some restless waves of the North Sea and the condition of the fourth flight of Whaligoe Steps.

Feb. 10th, 2024: Waves had become more dramatic as the day rolled into Saturday.

Feb. 11th, 2024: Over the past couple of months, producing significant quantities of foam has been effortless for the North Sea waves during the consistent storms which have battered the U.K. coastlines.

This link over at National Ocean Service, explains further about sea foam and what it’s all about… What is sea foam? (noaa.gov)

Feb. 12th, 2024: A personal favourite when it comes to recent photographs of the sunrises which grace this stretch of the coastline.

Beatrice wind farm is faint below the radiant glare of the morning sun.

Feb. 13th, 2024: The broken anchor which lays around on the nearest pebble shore keeps moving. On this day, nestled among the pebbles and rocks when the tide was sufficiently out, I took this photograph.

Feb. 14th, 2024: To celebrate the association with romance for this particular day, below is a photograph of a couple of fulmars. They’re related to albatrosses and when they mate, they are monogamous for life.

Feb. 15th, 2024: Wet and drizzly ambience wraps itself around the remains of the old Salt House on the Bink.

Feb. 16th, 2024: Standing on the Bink and looking out across the North Sea to Beatrice and the horizon.

Feb. 17th, 2024: Maybe the clouds ran out of energy or exhausted their supplies of rain… Sunshine grows shadows on the third flight of Whaligoe Steps.

Feb. 18th, 2024: From a distance, you can get an overall view of the Bink and see some context with elements like the Salt House, and the placing of points regarding the zig-zagging flights of stone steps descending the cliffs.

So that brings us to a close, as another fortnight is showcased documenting my attempt at tackling treks down and around Whaligoe Steps for three hundred and sixty five consecutive days.

Above, is a thirty second clip I filmed of the waterfall here at Whaligoe Steps. The sun made the experience look gentle and inviting, although the wind on top of this cliff where I was standing remained present.

The next blog entry on this continuing adventure will share photographs from Monday, February 19th, 2024 up to and including Sunday, March 3rd, 2024.

Thank you for your generosity of time, kindness and support. Take care and know I’m sending you positive wishes.

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Thank you for dropping by this freezing cold, blog entry. If you’re looking for some winter-themed images then you’ve come to the right place. Perhaps you’re simply curious about the coastal location where Whaligoe Steps is situated and wish to see photography showcasing snow covering? Then once again, you’re in the right place.

The fortnight documented below from Monday, January 8th up to and including Sunday, January 21st, 2024, was remarkable for the snowfall and prominent wintery weather. I was caught in a blizzard which was both alarming and comical simultaneously. Just wait until you see a selfie I struggled to capture once I returned to the top after a serene and frozen descent.

Anyways, you don’t want to see my icicles, you want to know how my daily trek challenge is going…

Link to my last episode about this daily trek challenge – New Year for my Daily Trek Challenge! – Whaligoe Eye

Other useful links relating to my daily trek challenge: Recap for Whaligoe Steps 365… (Parts 1 to 14) – Whaligoe Eye

Daily Trek Challenge (Part 15) – Whaligoe Eye

Daily Trek Challenge: Part 16 (Nov. 27th – Dec. 10th, 2023) – Whaligoe Eye

Daily Trek Challenge during December, 2023 – Whaligoe Eye

Now that you’ve caught up, let’s get to this blog entry and what I had the luxury of documenting.

Jan. 8th, 2024: If you were a seagull or fulmar flying over this part of the coastline, I wonder if you’d see this sort of view?

The Bink with a section of the zig-zagging lower flights of Whaligoe Steps, and the Salt House.

Jan. 9th, 2024: After the recent couple of years where bird flu has ravaged the seabird populations, it’s a joy to confirm that there are building numbers of feathered friends returning to rocky ledges once more.

Jan. 10th, 2024: You know by now that I like a silhouette, and I hope this doesn’t disappoint.

Jan. 11th, 2024: Some gravel litters these steps after being dragged by rainfall and stormy conditions above. This is a photograph of the fifth flight of Whaligoe Steps.

Jan. 12th, 2024: This image tickles me due to the posture adopted by the gull in the top left hand corner.

Jan. 13th, 2024: In the early hours I found this image to be atmospheric. Tranquillity in a moment of cold, yet calming ambience.

Jan. 14th, 2024: The trek was evident for really freezing temperatures, and knowing how subtle changes to the landscape had taken place over the past two months, it wasn’t a surprise to find the broken anchor had moved.

Jan. 14th – Afternoon… Later in the day, I ventured down and around Whaligoe Steps for a second visit. A light covering of snow as temperatures held firmly hinting that perhaps more was to come…

Jan. 15th, 2024: Plenty of snow fell and gripped the landscape. The photo below is of the first flight of Whaligoe Steps in the early hours.

Jan. 16th, 2024: Icicles aplenty… The freeze continues.

There is a blog entry sharing images of this day which you can view by clicking on this link – Beautiful January Days of White Satin – Whaligoe Eye

Jan. 17th, 2024: The view along the coastline as it travels northwards from Whaligoe Steps.

Jan. 18th, 2024: A personal fave, I ended up using this photograph in conjunction with a daily poem too…

Solace swoons where mingling matters whisper winter words (#Only8Words)

Jan. 19th, 2024: An ominous ascent from the bottom of the first flight heading back to my home.

Jan. 20th, 2024: By the time I ventured out for my daily trek on this Saturday, the snow was melting considerably and I took an opportune moment to craft a ‘snow heart’ on some grass, located on the Bink.

Jan. 21st, 2024: As the thaw continued, some feathered friends took to the sky in celebration.

I hope you enjoyed this blog, and with just over three months left until I finish my daily trek challenge where I go down and around Whaligoe Steps each and every day for a whole year, look out for further entries as I continue my adventures.

All going well, the next blog will be documenting the fortnight from Monday, January 22nd up to and including Sunday, February 4th, 2024.

Thank you for your generosity of time and kindness, stay safe and take care.

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History research continues in the background, two blog entries are being tweaked as I type this out. Life continues at a pace and so as a consequence, I’m sharing this general overview of updates with you. I sincerely hope that this October entry finds you winning in all of the challenges you find yourselves in, as the world continues to rock and roll. Before I dive in with photographs and words, just wanting to send you all positive wishes and thoughts.

On March 4th, 2021, the Highland Council announced a necessary investment in tourism for the Highland region £1.5m tourism investment gets the green light in Highland’s budget proposals for Recovery, Health and Prosperity | The Highland Council

On August 25th, 2022, the Highland Council made the promising announcement of their ambitious investment for tourism infrastructure Ambitious Tourism Infrastructure Development Plan approved | The Highland Council

Watching with great optimism, the period in which these investments get underway range from two to five years. The residential car park located at the top of Whaligoe Steps is to receive £90,000 of financial input, with current estimations on increasing the parking facilities to accommodate more vehicles.

Access to the car park could still be noted as a concern, but so far, the news is greeted with optimism. Despite not receiving any replies to any communications regarding concerns over further property damage, hazards to residents or visitors alike, it is a positive moment to hear anything which is to benefit the immediate area, via this public announcement. It can only be for the betterment of residents and visitors once this investment is turned into actual activity and purpose.

Since August of this year, throughout September and thus far, October too, I have been doing my rounds up and down Whaligoe Steps. The wildlife has been most entertaining and wonderful to observe. Gulls of various sorts are swooping, watching and generally being active, plus the grey seals keep the North Sea company with their exploration of the coastline.

It is the time of year for sunrise moments and the moon too has been getting in on the action. Not only wonderful moon spectacles at night, but during the early mornings as well.

The moon has been quite a sight, and despite plenty of cloudy skies there have been sunrises too…

Over the past couple of months, the grey seals have been putting on a show. A new-to-me moment of witnessing five grey seals on the rocky coastline at the same time here at Whaligoe Steps, made quite an impression. Here are some photographs to celebrate a welcome coastal visitor.

Sshh… Don’t tell anyone, but last year Halloween featured as a time to focus on a little history and also a time to dress up and be a bit silly. Halloween Special: Miller Brothers Mystery – Whaligoe Eye

This year, as Halloween yet again looms large, I’ll be doing something silly again. Plus, there are some interesting darker-themed events which have surfaced during the historical researching which I might be sharing. Time-permitting, and logistics to consider.

During a busy September this year, plenty of visitors were coming and going. On the odd occasions, I find myself chatting to some of them. Always a pleasure to exchange anecdotes and views about various and sundries. One particular fellow called David Albutt entered into conversation as he was visiting Whaligoe Steps with his drone.

Many thanks for the conversation and for giving permission of such a fabulous photograph from your drone. Whaligoe Steps from the viewpoint of a swooping seagull. David Albutt (@david_albutt) • Instagram photos and videos

Last year, I wanted to give something back to those of you who subscribed to receive a newsletter or two. It was such fun and a pleasure to organise, I’m doing it all over again this year. Thank you to all of you who have signed up. Just know that I barely send newsletters out at the moment, so you’re unlikely to be snowed under!

The giveaway simply has me putting my hand in a cup of scrunched up bits of paper, which contain the names of the individuals who are on the newsletter list, and at random the winner is selected.

Due to the exciting response from those of you who use Facebook, there is going to be a giveaway of a hat. (I only have the one keyring at the moment). Keep your eyes peeled regarding updates for that activity.

Autumn brings a lot more rain than usual, and this year it has created more flow to the waterfall. This photograph was taken by me only a few days ago on a frequent visit down Whaligoe Steps.

The resident cat who is a Star by name, and by nature, has been busy catching rodents around the Steps. She is doing very well for herself.

One last thing to mention for those of you who enjoy following my poetry pursuits, I am thrilled to share I have been published in a second poetry book.

The first book was a charity-driven book of poetry raising awareness about autism, raising money for a charity based in England called ‘Austism Angels UK’…

The second poetry book which includes three of my poems, has a focus firmly on the theme of love, and is a project assembled by the kind and creative mind of Stuart Matthews (Instant Eternal). An impressive list of Poets which belong to a community on Twitter, all contributed their words following prompts. ‘A Whisper of Your Love’ can be purchased from all good book retailers.

Thank you again for your time and kindness, it is much appreciated. Just by following on Twitter, Facebook, checking out this humble blogging website, looking at the photographs, liking comments, subscribing to the mailing list, mentioning the website or generally being so positive about WhaligoeEye.co.uk, you’re helping with keeping attention on the infrastructure here. This in turn, is going to make the environment safer and better in many ways for those who visit or live in the area.

Thank you.

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