My attempt to go down and around the Whaligoe Steps each and every day for a year, starting from May 1st, 2023, is still going strong despite several challenges and events which have been close to ceasing this target.
There are six previous blog entries showcasing a fortnight on each publication with two photographs documenting the day in question I’m sharing.
New Challenge (Part 1) – Whaligoe Eye
New Challenge (Part 2) – Whaligoe Eye
New Challenge (Part 3) – Whaligoe Eye
New Challenge (Part 4) – Whaligoe Eye
New Challenge (Part 5) – Whaligoe Eye
New Challenge (Part 6) – Whaligoe Eye
Now it’s time to share with you some highlights from the latest fortnight of visits down and around the six flights which make up the Whaligoe Steps… From July 24th, 2023 up to August 6th, 2023.
July 24th, 2023: It’ll be no surprise that the odd dead seagull was seen floating in the North Sea at this particular time of the year. Enough to raise suspicion that some sort of bird flu may be present. Even the mainstream media had begun speaking about it. A great black-backed gull posed while waves made a splash along the rocky shoreline.
July 25th, 2023: Standing at the base of the landfall, I peered over the vegetation toward the shallow cave on the furthest pebble shore. During this specific trek, I observed a beautiful sky.
July 26th, 2023: Below are two distinctive views from 250 feet on top of a cliff beside Whaligoe Steps. The photograph on the left is looking along the coastline to the north. Looking south, I photographed the coastline jutting out.
July 27th, 2023: A beautiful sunrise on this trek, plus the offshore wind farm called Beatrice. Not always visible with the naked eye from the mainland as it hovers on the horizon just over eight miles away.
July 28th, 2023: Two young gulls go swimming before the abundance of dead gulls appear later (due to avian flu). Meanwhile, Star, the resident feline stretches her claws on a post relating to the John O’Groats trail.
July 29th, 2023: Another beautiful morning greeted me here at Whaligoe Steps, as the sunrise blazed across the skies, delighting the seabirds.
July 30th, 2023: During my early morning saunter, I was standing on the far side looking over the zig-zagging Whaligoe Steps at another stunning sunrise. Also, wildflowers complimented each other with hints of yellow and purple.
July 31st, 2023: Sighting of a grey seal quite some distance out to sea, showing off their belly to a soft sunrise. Meanwhile on land, 250 feet on top of a nearby cliff, a wild rabbit remains alert as a photographer and known blogger attempts to take their photo!
August 1st, 2023: A dandelion provides yet another opportunity to make a sneaky wish. Below is also a chance to admire the stonemason’s work on the third flight of the Whaligoe Steps.
August 2nd, 2023: During this Wednesday morning trek, the bodies of many gulls were littering the pebble shoreline. As a tribute, I took these photos. Here is a link to the RSPB regarding their online information about ‘bird flu’ – Avian Flu (Bird Flu) | The RSPB
August 3rd, 2023: Flurries of yellow and purple break up the greenery here at Whaligoe Steps currently. On this particular trek during a Thursday morning, I observed jellyfish.
August 4th, 2023: Watching a light show out to sea doesn’t happen everyday, but on this particular early morning outing I was able to photograph this cruise liner sharing some speckled neon. A drizzly ambience welcomed me once I reached the Bink at the base of the Whaligoe Steps.
August 5th, 2023: Thistles are doing very well around the ‘Steps at this time of year, plus a wild rabbit greeted me at my front door.
August 6th, 2023: The stonemason’s tribute can be seen on the bend between the second and third flights of Whaligoe Steps. Charlie’s Mum Etta has a wonderful plaque.
That’s all from me for now, but I’m preparing a blog entry which’ll be addressing the car parking fiasco here. I’ve reached out to an MP and have notified a department of the Highland Council. Awaiting replies, but have some amazing documentation which I’m currently negotiating of a tourist urinating against my wall, cones being run over, campervans nearly colliding, a resident holding up traffic and general vehicle-themed ambience as traffic overwhelms this cosy corner of the Scottish Highlands.
To those visitors which I’ve been lucky enough to meet and speak with regarding the chaos here in the residential car park, I wish to say thank you for your patience and understanding regarding the pandemonium. The lack of facilities and infrastructure are something I’ve been addressing for quite some time and as I’ve mentioned prior, the Highland Council were gracious enough to accept some government tourist-related funding and will be investing £90,000 within the next four years from the time of this blog entry.
Take care, stay safe and thank you again for your time and interest.
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