Tag: Waves

Known by some as ‘Storm Babet’, to others as a ‘weather system’; strong winds and relentless showers bombarded parts of the United Kingdom to varying degrees.

Here at Whaligoe Steps from Thursday, October 19th, 2023 and continuing through to Saturday night (Oct. 21st), the North Sea expressed remarkable turmoil in dramatic waves and a roar so loud as the coastline was battered.

The wave below ran up to the very top of a two hundred and fifty foot cliff face…

The video clip above was filmed at around 13:20 British Standard Time on Thursday afternoon… The microphone was being abused by the harsh weather, so remember to mute your speakers.

It was difficult to stand up and film this clip due to the ferocity of the weather during the first day of Storm Babet being active, but you can see the extreme swelling of the tides and the North Sea and you can get a real ambience of this thankfully irregular weather experience.

On Saturday (October 21st, 2023) afternoon, I tentatively ventured down Whaligoe Steps which was a partial waterfall and the rain was prolific – Video clip above.

The photographs below were taken during Friday, October 20th…

The waterfall was behaving in an unusual way, defiant of gravity and what the eyes normally witness… It went up the way instead of down!

Now for something I filmed this Sunday (October 22nd, 2023) morning during my daily trek down and around Whaligoe Steps… A clip from the pebble shoreline with a notably diminished wind factor and raging storm in the rear view mirror!

Nature’s very own foam party!

During my daily trek this Sunday and assessing the damage and change in landscape after the weather system had ravaged the coastline for three days, here are some photographic highlights of what I witnessed.

Foam was abundant on the pebble shore and I was pleased to see Star out and about…

My thoughts go out to all those who are confronting the fallout from this severe natural weather condition. I’ve personally never experienced the ferocity of wind which I encountered when I ventured out over these past few days, and I’m another statistic looking at property damage as a result of the devastating weather system.

Until my next blog entry documenting my ‘Whaligoe Steps 365’ challenge, I’m sending you positive wishes as always. Thank you for your continued support, generosity of time and for being You.

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As September lumbers into October, this fortnight of my daily trek challenge (walking down and around the Whaligoe Steps each and every day from May 1st, 2023 onwards) finds the North Sea restless and proposing shapes in the waves like artistic expression, and dandelions with a wild rose breaking up the greenery. Rabbits continue to hop and graze to vibrant and varied sunrises which provide exuberant brushstrokes to an open sky.

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

Daily Challenge (Part 7) – Whaligoe Eye

Daily Challenge (Part 8) – Whaligoe Eye

Daily Challenge (Part 9) – Whaligoe Eye

Whaligoe Steps 365 (Part 10) – Whaligoe Eye

Starting from September 18th right up to and including the 1st day of October, 2023, this is your next insight to a fortnight visiting the Whaligoe Steps…

Sept. 18th, 2023: The third flight of ‘Steps burdened by rain water. During this Monday trek, the boat winch looked suitably rustic.

Sept. 19th, 2023: Sunshine brings out more activity from the wildlife here on the coastline.

Standing on the periphery of the North Sea presents some beautiful views where the eye can view for several miles.

Sept. 20th, 2023: Star enjoying a contented nap beneath a generous sunlight, whilst shadows lurk within the jagged stones which make up the fourth flight of Whaligoe Steps.

Sept. 21st, 2023: From the edge of the Bink (grassy platform at the base of the ‘Steps), there is a stunning view which on occasion showcases the off-shore wind farm called Beatrice. The Bink is where you’ll find the remains of the old salt house too.

Sept. 22nd, 2023: Despite the impact of Avian flu earlier this year, an odd gull can still be witnessed around this region. The wild rose which can be seen growing in the verges alongside the ‘Steps provides some invaluable floral beauty.

Sept. 23rd, 2023: With an increase in rainfall, the waterfall itself becomes more alive with it’s liquid signature finding a way down the two hundred and fifty foot drop.

Before heading home, I noticed a bumblebee clambering over a vibrant dandelion.

Sept. 24th, 2023: Wild rose gazing at people as they descend the Whaligoe Steps.

As I tackled the terrain around the ‘Steps, I realised I’d never taken a simple overview photograph of the Whaligoe Steps zig-zagging down the cliff with coverage of the prolific waterfall included.

Sept. 25th, 2023: Difference between day and night…

Sept. 26th, 2023: After discovering that the North Sea is the coldest sea on the planet, I began digging further to figure out what the difference between an ocean and a sea is. This website provided answers in the form of geographical meanings – What’s the difference between an ocean and a sea? (noaa.gov)

Below are photos of the North Sea during a Tuesday trek where winds were present and waves were hinting at restless expression.

Sept. 27th, 2023: During the early morning visits down and around Whaligoe Steps, for a few days I observed some fishing boat activity.

Another beautiful sunrise was witnessed on this day.

Sept. 28th, 2023: Clouds react to the light given off by the early morning sun, and below I occasionally capture through the humble lens some striking definitions and colours.

A reminder of the restless waves which throw remarkable shapes when impacting the coastal rock.

Sept. 29th, 2023: Silhouettes dot the skyline as you descend the Whaligoe Steps, where flora grace the foreground the skies behind provide varying shades of light.

The moon almost hid behind drifting wisps of cloud during this particular trek.

Sept. 30th, 2023: Below, another dandelion becomes host for a flying traveller, as another part of this area some wild rabbits congregate amongst lush grassland.

Oct. 1st, 2023: Just for fun, how many rabbits can you spot in the photo below?

Thank you for your continued support of time and kindness during these challenges documenting the changing of season and the constantly interesting natural developments taking place here at Whaligoe Steps. If I can reach the end of October with the momentum I have currently, then you and I will have photographed and witnessed highlights for each and every day for half a year!

That’s one hundred and eighty two and a half days of exploring and sight-seeing!

Sending you positive wishes, take care and stay safe.

Thank you again for being You.

All going well, the next blog will be showcasing October 2nd, 2023 up to and including October 15th, 2023…

TWITTER (X): Whaligoe Eye (@WhaligoeEye) / X (twitter.com)

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TWITTER (X) – Gary: Gary (@floodland08) / X (twitter.com)

EMAIL: WhaligoeEyeToo@gmail.com

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.

FACEBOOK: Whaligoe Steps. | Facebook

TWITTER: (2) Whaligoe Eye (@WhaligoeEye) / X (twitter.com)

TWITTER (Gary): (2) Gary (@floodland08) / X (twitter.com)

EMAIL: WhaligoeEye@gmail.com