New Year for my Daily Trek Challenge!

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

Whaligoe Steps – Three Hundred and Sixty Five (Part 14)

My daily treks down and around this engineering marvel, located along the coastline in Caithness continue. This blog entry shares with you another fortnight, dated from October 30th, 2023 up to November 12th, 2023…

The skies were notable at this time for being spectacular, adding a precious ambience to the experience of capturing nature here in this picturesque location.

Previous blogWhaligoe Steps 365 (Part 13) – Whaligoe Eye

Welcome once more to Whaligoe Steps…

Oct. 30th, 2023: Clouds were sauntering through rich blue skies, whilst the ‘forgotten’ flight of Whaligoe Steps juggled with rain and hints of grass.

Oct. 31st, 2023: Sunrise wrestled with more clouds during this Tuesday trek.

As I ascended the steps, I was greeted by my first sighting of the robin this autumn.

Nov. 1st, 2023: Ventured into the shallow cave on the pebble shoreline.

Since storm Babet, I’m still discovering the changes within the landscape around here. This includes how the rusty broken anchor has been moved and partly covered.

Nov. 2nd, 2023: It doesn’t happen every morning, but it’s a treat to witness both the sun in one direction and the moon in the other. The photos below show how prominent the moon was during this particular trek.

Nov. 3rd, 2023: Unsettled weather was captured as waves whipped up into gusty symphonies.

Nov. 4th, 2023: Star was attentive and delightful as she always is.

A clattering of jackdaws enjoy the sunshine which coats a roaming fence.

Nov. 5th, 2023: Two faces of the North Sea captured in one trek. Waves excitable reach for the skies, and then a little later there were tranquil waters.

Nov. 6th, 2023: A wild rabbit plays peek-a-boo.

I found that Whaligoe Steps has a heart of stone.

Nov. 7th, 2023: Landscape moments where perception is captured from a distance. Looking down on the Bink where the North Sea shares a clarity.

The waterfall here continues to flow with abundant energy.

Nov. 8th, 2023: Ambience of another cloudy autumnal day.

Nov. 9th, 2023: On this Thursday trek, I was fortunate to see two versions of a sunrise. A softer glow behind swaying flora was the first encounter.

Then a little later, a fire sandwiched between well defined clouds.

Nov. 10th, 2023: Standing beside the old Salt House down on the Bink gives a sense of history within this coastal environment.

During this trek, I pondered over the vastness of the enduring tides of the North Sea.

Nov. 11th, 2023: Temperatures fell during these treks down and around Whaligoe Steps, but still the sun watched from afar.

Pleasant ambience on this early Saturday afternoon.

Nov. 12th, 2023: Silhouettes.

Wrap up warm and know you’re appreciated. Thank you for your generosity of time and for your support, they mean a lot.

Until the next one, take care.

FACEBOOK: Whaligoe Eye | Lybster | Facebook

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

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

EMAIL: WhaligoeEye@gmail.com