Daily Trek Challenge during December, 2023

Part seventeen of my daily trek challenge, where I go down and around Whaligoe Steps each and every day for a whole year. It began back on the first day of May, 2023.

So far, I’ve gone through about seventy-six batteries, two pairs of footwear, a camera, and two computers that packed up on me.

I’ve experienced Storm Babet, Storm Isha and Storm Jocelyn, plus several others, in and amongst enduring ice, snow, rain, sunshine and calm. Still, at the time of composing this blog entry, there are just three months to go before I complete this epic adventure!

This entry covers the fortnight from Monday, Dec. 11th up to and including Sunday, Dec. 24th, 2023…

Dec. 11th, 2023: Below, to kickstart this documentation of my daily trek challenge, is another fine example of the wonderful skies which grace this part of the coastline throughout December.

Dec. 12th, 2023: Throughout November and December, I would encounter Star going about her travels and business. Here she is pondering fascinating things on the top of the sixth flight of Whaligoe Steps.

Dec. 13th, 2023: There is a blog entry (House with Many Names – Whaligoe Eye) which delves a little deeper about this building, which still remains with one whole wall standing on the Bink. Over the years it has been given many purposes and names, but it’s most commonly referred to as the Salt House.

Dec. 14th, 2023: Charlie Juhlenski has worked tirelessly on Whaligoe Steps utilising his stonemasonry skills. This is a plaque, a tribute to his Mum, which can be found at the base of the second flight of steps.

Dec. 15th, 2023: The below photograph is a simple example of what’s witnessed as you stand at the top of the final and sixth flight of Whaligoe Steps which leads down to the Bink.

At the time of this blog post, I notice how the steps themselves look identifiable and you can clearly see the stone. In actual reality, the recent storms have dragged a significant quantity of gravel from the top of the cliffs and deposited amounts all over the various flights.

Dec. 16th, 2023: An example of a beautiful and rich sunrise providing a backdrop to Beatrice, the wind farm located just over eight miles off the coastline here.

Dec. 17th, 2023: Sir Billy Connolly CBE, visited Whaligoe Steps in the nineties and met a couple of locals, Jimmy Miller and William Taylor. During his encounter with this coastal dwelling he noted how the waterfall was the first one he’d seen which goes up the way!

Dec. 18th, 2023: Something peaceful when you gaze at the moon. This is the moon as it looked on this particular Monday over Whaligoe Steps.

Dec. 19th, 2023: We’ve seen Star in different stages of action or rest. Here she is in huntress mode… Watch out rodents!

Dec. 20th, 2023: Below is an example of the occasional build-up of plastic pollution which litters the pebble shoreline here at Whaligoe Steps. I gather up the garbage and carry it back up with me in case you’re wondering.

Dec. 21st, 2023: This is the third flight of Whaligoe Steps. Notice the hint of rainfall which nestles on the surface of each step.

Dec. 22nd, 2023: I love the colouring in the photograph below. Typical of the rustic flora on show during this time of year around here.

Dec. 23rd, 2023: Another example of the flora which has really died back during these winter days. Plenty of cloud and rainy days.

Dec. 24th, 2023: The remaining boat winch looked a little sad for itself during Christmas Eve. I took pity on it and out came the camera.

There you have it for another blog entry showcasing some views and highlights of life down and around Whaligoe Steps this December.

The next blog entry will be significant for taking you and I out of 2023, and letting us in on the beginning of the next year. So, if you get a moment I’d welcome your company as we celebrate Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year with more photographs taken during my daily trek challenge.

While the local population discuss these amazing observations amongst themselves, I’ll say thank you only always for your generosity of time within social media, in person and also thank you for being You.

Stay safe, take care.

Link to the last blog entry if you’re curious – Daily Trek Challenge: Part 16 (Nov. 27th – Dec. 10th, 2023) – Whaligoe Eye

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30 Days Wild ’22 (June 1st – June 10th)

Tortoise shell butterfly, June 9th, 2022…

Since 2015, The Wildlife Trusts | The Wildlife Trusts have been promoting nature appreciation with a programme running over thirty days in the month of June. My first time attempting some nature-based education and fun began last year but sadly I didn’t get to complete the entire event for various reasons.

This blog aims to share the fun of the first ten days of June, 2022, for 30 Days Wild here around Whaligoe Steps on the north easterly coastline of Scotland. The plan is to share the following twenty days over two more blogs. Wish me luck!

DAY 1: WILD BREAKFAST

Top of Whaligoe Steps, June 1st, 2022…

DAY 2: FAMILY OF SHAGS (PHALACROCORAX ARISTOTELIS)

June 2nd, 2022…

DAY 3: SEAWEED & ALGAE IDENTIFICATION

DAY 4: SENSORY WALK

DAY 5: BAREFOOT IN NATURE

Bare feet in the north sea. (Crikey, it was cold!)

DAY 6: WILDFLOWER IDENTIFICATION

DAY 7: BIRDWATCHING

DAY 8: WORLD OCEAN DAY

DAY 9: SOWING WILDLIFE TRUST WILDFLOWER SEEDS!

DAY 10: BUTTERFLY WATCH

Thank you as always for dropping by during these busy times we live in, and I hope you found some of these images to be enjoyable. There are twenty days to go, so the idea is to split those up into two more blogs each covering ten days of capture and content. Keep your fingers crossed.

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Take care and stay cosy!