Tag: January

On December 16th, 2023, I assembled a recapping blog entry showcasing the first fourteen parts of a daily trek challenge which I began on May 1st, 2023.

The blog which assembles those entries can be viewed at this link: Recap for Whaligoe Steps 365… (Parts 1 to 14) – Whaligoe Eye

The daily trek challenge began on May 1st, 2023, hopes were high that I could walk and document life down and around Whaligoe Steps each and every day until May 1st, 2024. This was initially going to be utilising commentary and photography, but latterly has incorporated wee video clips too.

Personally, with all that life throws at us, something of this discipline is hard to achieve.

It is the three hundred and forty second day of my daily trek challenge and I can happily report that I remain on target to succeed in this ongoing endeavour.

Today is a Saturday, full of overcast skies and strong gusts, visitors are still dropping by to visit this location. Life goes on.

It’s also a good time to have fun with numbers. For example, roughly I may well have walked two hundred and three thousand, one hundred and forty eight steps thus far. Another way to look at such a distance is to say I have walked one hundred and one miles.

This achievement has highlighted the extraordinary stamina and results of those individuals who tackle the remarkable ‘Land’s End to John O’ Groats’ trek – Traditionally seen as the most extreme journey by foot within the United Kingdom, starting out in western Cornwall, England, and eventually finishing up in the northern territories of Scotland.

I’ve only managed perhaps a sixth or an eighth of what that distance would encompass. But still, it’s provided an insight to a coastal way of life, for those who would frequent the trail or stone steps down this cliff to the North Sea below.

Below is a photographic highlight which can be found via this link: Daily Trek Challenge (Part 15) – Whaligoe Eye (November 13th up to and including November 26th, 2023)

Dramatic skies are vibrant in the photograph below, found via the following link: Daily Trek Challenge: Part 16 (Nov. 27th – Dec. 10th, 2023) – Whaligoe Eye

Photograph of the sixth flight of Whaligoe Steps, found via the following link: Daily Trek Challenge during December, 2023 – Whaligoe Eye (December 11th, 2023 up to and including December 24th, 2023)

A serene rainbow captured during the fortnight I document during my daily trek challenge via the following link: New Year for my Daily Trek Challenge! – Whaligoe Eye (December 25th, 2023 up to and including January 7th, 2024)

Winter weather strikes me as I tackle another fortnight of daily treks down and around Whaligoe Steps: Daily Trek Challenge in January! – Whaligoe Eye (January 8th up to and including January 21st, 2024)

The moon tries to hide unsuccessfully during another fortnight of daily treks: Spring Whispers on a Daily Trek Challenge… – Whaligoe Eye (January 22nd up to and including February 4th, 2024)

A mixture of weather conditions captured during my daily treks throughout February: Frozen Frolicking in Fabulous February… – Whaligoe Eye (February 5th, 2024 up to and including February 18th, 2024)

Short video clip of the Whaligoe Steps waterfall: Dancing Waterfalls To Windswept Songs – Whaligoe Eye (February 19th up to and including March 3rd, 2024)

March offers up some pleasant weather in 2024: Beautiful Nights and Daily Flights – Whaligoe Eye (March 4th up to and including March 17th, 2024)

Beautiful coastal signs of spring photographed in another fortnight of daily treks: March Springs with Light and Life – Whaligoe Eye (March 18th up to and including March 31st, 2024)

Thank you for your kindness and support up to this point. All going well, I’ll be sharing another blog entry as April continues to entertain with changing weather conditions and visitors continue to arrive in larger numbers. At the time of this entry, the Bink (grassy platform at the base of the six flights of Whaligoe Steps) is still quite muddy and slippery, so caution is advised.

Take care, stay safe and thank you for being You.

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EMAIL: WhaligoeEyeToo@gmail.com

Welcome to part 20 of my attempt to share and document treks down and around Whaligoe Steps, for each and every day from May 1st, 2023 up to and including May 1st, 2024. Enjoying and enduring depending on what’s relevant; stormy weather, sunrises, natural wonders, beautiful views and amazing experiences.

Despite witnessing several sunrises, the one thing I agree with is how each one has a unique personality. The above sunrise was captured on a trek during the morning of February 3rd, 2024.

Below is a blog which tackles coverage from Monday, January 22nd up to and including Sunday, February 4th, 2024. Hope you enjoy the first grey seal sighting this year, the sunrises, waterfall and the hints of spring as the seabirds gather on the rocky ledges around here.

Jan. 22nd, 2024: Cloudy trek meant that the sun was concealed, but it didn’t slow down any attempts to shine.

Jan. 23rd, 2024: The bend as the top flight works a route directly into the second flight. The descent down the six zig-zagging sets of stone steps is still quite something even after all these years.

Jan. 24th, 2024: Talking of that descent, it’s best to take it at a snail’s pace.

Jan. 25th, 2024: Steady intervals of showers meant the ground was wet underfoot, plus with melting snow from days earlier all around, water was abundant beside a large mass like the North Sea.

Jan. 26th, 2024: During this Friday morning trek, I found myself gazing at a splendid moon.

Jan. 27th, 2024: Windswept waterfall generously gushing down the impressive coastal cliffs around Whaligoe Steps.

Jan. 28th, 2024: The remaining boat winch located between the pebble shores and the Bink, without snow on it this time…

Jan. 29th, 2024: A wonderful time of year to hug each other in the name of staying warm. Below is a pair of fulmars which have been entertaining company in these recent weeks as they gather on the many ledges.

Jan. 30th, 2024: What a fine morning crowned with a glorious sunrise.

Jan. 31st, 2024: A breezy trek which held me in a gaze towards the shallow cave and the pebble shorelines. These are a little cumbersome to negotiate depending on your physical presence, but occasionally I see visitors down there enjoying echoes against the cliff face or generally exploring.

Feb. 1st, 2024: Both sides of the moon during the morning haze.

Feb. 2nd, 2024: I thought I saw a wabbit, I did! I did!…

Feb. 3rd, 2024: The North Sea wears many masks, but below you’ll see the softer side and the twinkle as sunlight reflects. An anchor which is broken is held in place by a large rock, moved by recent storms.

Feb. 4th, 2024: Salutations to the wonderful grey seal, first sighting of 2024. Hopefully, they’ll be a regular visitor as sadly the body of another recent grey seal was washed ashore during December.

That’s all folks for another fortnight of visits down and around Whaligoe Steps. I mentioned it before, but the thought of local folk in previous generations negotiating the steps on a regular basis, carrying containers of fish and all manner of items in all weathers really speaks volumes. I have nothing but respect and admiration for them.

All going well, the next blog entry will be covering and documenting highlights from Monday, February 5th up to and including Sunday, February 18th, 2024.

Thank you, only always, for your kindness and support. Take care and know I’m sending you positive wishes.

FACEBOOK: Whaligoe Eye | Lybster | Facebook

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

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EMAIL: WhaligoeEyeToo@gmail.com

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.

FACEBOOK: Whaligoe Eye | Lybster | Facebook

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

TWITTER (X) – GARY: Gary (busy ✌🙄) (@floodland08) / X (twitter.com)

EMAIL: WhaligoeEyeToo@gmail.com

Thank you for dropping by this humble blogging website, which goes around and down Whaligoe Steps documenting life and exploring all manner of curiosities relating to this coastal location in the northerly area of the Scottish Highlands.

This blog is Part 18 of an ongoing series showcasing my attempts to trek down and around here each and every day for a whole year. To explore and document the changing seasons, to feel and experience what it must have been like for the families which carried fish up those steps, and for the fishermen who would have been active in this wee coastal indent; this remarkable, small, historical harbour.

You’re about to witness a fortnight from Monday, December 25th (Christmas Day) up to and including Sunday, January 7th. So prepare for some mighty peculiar time travel as we leave 2023 behind and enter 2024…

Dec. 25th, 2023: To make this Christmas Day expedition down and around Whaligoe Steps special, I carried a wee Christmas tree with me. Placing it in various locations around this area, I then proceeded to take some photographs. Gave it a festive flavour hopefully.

Dec. 26th, 2023: What a Boxing Day trek I experienced. A slightly restrained, but nevertheless beautiful sunrise.

Dec. 27th, 2023: Below is a blue glow as I tackled an early moment of restless weather around the third flight of Whaligoe Steps.

Dec. 28th, 2023: This time, the photo below is nearer to the mighty North Sea. Certainly a time of year for windy coastal weather, and therefore some active waves and tides.

Dec. 29th, 2023: Looking up the third flight of Whaligoe Steps during the early hours.

Dec. 30th, 2023: Often overlooked, this fifth flight of Whaligoe Steps is quite short in comparison to the rest.

At the time of this blog entry, I am aware of the gravel and scattered debris which currently litters these steps, but here before the recent storms hit the area you’ll notice how they look when they’re not covered.

Dec. 31st, 2023: Standing on the nearest of the wee pebble shores looking out across the North Sea on New Year’s Eve…

January 1st, 2024: The moon during my Monday trek, and what a sight for the first day of a brand new year.

Jan. 2nd, 2024: Gusts of impressive presence often took my breath away, but thankfully gave it back to me as well. North Sea roars once more as waves are in abundance.

Jan. 3rd, 2024: Waves crashing and clattering against rocky landscapes weren’t exclusive to a single day, they relented…

Jan. 4th, 2024: I have accumulated an impressive collection of sky-themed photographs during this daily trek challenge and prior, with the below capture showcasing the variation in cloud.

Jan. 5th, 2024: It’s one thing to experience many days of gusts, yet the rainfall around this time of year can also be plentiful. The photo below is of the landfall tucked away in a corner and off to the side of the Bink. As you can see, the rain is washing down crevice and groove.

Jan. 6th, 2024: This is a personal fave, I was standing on top of a cliff which is about two hundred and fifty feet in the air when I saw this delicate rainbow. It frames the coastline which wriggles northwards and is slightly highlighted by soft sunshine.

Jan. 7th, 2024: We reach the end of the first week of the new year, and this particular Sunday presented a rabbit or two. I’ve observed them over these past nine months.

There are about three fluffles or colonies of wild rabbit living at the top of Whaligoe Steps and I notice that when the sun shines, they’re more likely to hang around and catch some rays. If it’s cloudy or generally unpleasant, they aren’t so keen to pose for photographs.

Hopefully you’ll have a positive 2024, and I always like to share my gratitude with you, so please accept my humble thanks for all you are. Your time and kindness when I meet you in person or via social media is always welcome.

The next blog entry will continue regarding my adventures during these daily treks down and around Whaligoe Steps. This time covering the fortnight from Monday, January 8th up to and including Sunday, January 21st, 2024…

Take care, stay safe and know I’m sending you positive wishes only always.

FACEBOOK: Whaligoe Eye | Lybster | Facebook

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

TWITTER (X) – GARY: Gary (busy ✌🙄) (@floodland08) / X (twitter.com)

EMAIL: WhaligoeEyeToo@gmail.com

I’ve just returned from a daily trek this morning, amazed at the beauty here at Whaligoe Steps and how these winter vibes bring out new delights.

A recent question came my way regarding how I was progressing with the ‘Whaligoe Steps 365’ daily trek challenge, where since May 1st, 2023 I have been visiting and documenting each and every day since.

The answer is that I’m thrilled to say I am still on course to achieve this awesome feat. Despite the aspects which life throws at us, I remain on course to achieve the objective of going down and around Whaligoe Steps each and every day for an entire year.

More blogs regarding this will be forthcoming.

Thank you to one and all who have made enquiries and been supporting this whole challenge, and for the kindness I have been experiencing on Twitter (X), Facebook and in person. It really means a lot.

The above photograph was taken moments ago as I negotiated precarious and remarkable snow under foot. It brings me joy to share this image and the following ones…

I saw the waterfall, landfall, rabbits and landscape in a new light today. It was also a pleasure to witness those icicles again this year.

Here are some more winter themed images I caught during the trek this very morning…

Somehow, the rabbits this morning were not bothered by my presence and went about hopping in the snow.

Thank you again, for your company during my daily treks, and for reading and looking at the documentation via social media and on this humble website. I’ll be gradually catching up as my photos continue to be taken, and my thoughts continue to assemble, as I reflect on so many things.

The waterfall…

It also brings me pleasure to share that another of my poems has made an appearance amongst some wonderful talent in a book titled ‘We Are The Waves’

If you enjoy poetry and art in the shape of the written word, this recent publication could be just what you need as you wrap up warm and cosy in these winter days.

I’ll leave you with a photo of my ornamental cat which ponders life in my garden.

Take care and stay safe. You’re awesome, don’t forget.

EMAIL: WhaligoeEyeToo@gmail.com

FACEBOOK: Whaligoe Eye | Lybster | Facebook

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

TWITTER (X) – GARY: Gary (✌🙄 busy) (@floodland08) / X (twitter.com)

In passing when I’ve been talking with visitors to Whaligoe Steps, I occasionally get asked about what it is like living here during the winter season. Looking through my photographs of Whaligoe Steps taken over the years, I didn’t find any really good ones which showcased a visual for the winter season.

Today, I corrected the oversight as I watched hail, sleet and gentle snow flurries grace the landscape from the evening of January 3rd, continuing intermittently throughout the morning of the 4th.

Take my hand as we tentatively negotiate the slippery Steps from the top down to the Bink…

It was a little slippery underfoot, as the descent took place accompanied by a light breeze and a crispy cold ambience.

On this specific trek over the snow covered steps, I noticed how prominent the presence of the winter covering was on the higher flights than the sets of steps further down. Remember, there are six flights of steps which zig-zag down the cliff face making up the Whaligoe Steps.

The north sea gets darker with the wintery weather and provides a pleasant contrast on the eye.

These sets of Whaligoe Steps were given a makeover by the Stonemason Charles Juhlenski during several months of 2021…

As the fourth flight of Whaligoe Steps (photograph directly above this text) reaches its end, at the time of the blog post the steps are in a precarious state of disrepair with some specific examples now wobbling significantly. (Please be aware if you read this at the time of the blog post being published for obvious safety reasons).

At this stage of my descent, I noticed how the north sea breeze and perhaps the shelter from the landscape were disrupting the snow from settling as much.

We made it! The Bink welcomes us after we cautiously trekked down the Whaligoe Steps…