early risers

29th April 2018, Beadnell Bay, 6am

By 5:45am I was sharing my bed with 2 wriggling leggy lurchers and before I was kicked out completely I decided to give up, get up and go to the beach...

It was totally worth it for the solitude, freedom and blissful peace.

The tern nesting site at Long Nanny will be occupied by National Trust wardens (and terns!) any time now so this will maybe be our last walk up here until August.

We caught the edge of an unexpected shower which was dramatic in the light of sunrise.

They work as a team these two "you look that way and I'll check this way"

two's company

28th April 2018, Newton Point, 4pm

A blissful walk with Daisy and her sister Bess for company.  There were few people about so the dogs could roam free but we still had a nice chat with a friend.

I kind of wished I'd brought a beer and some dinner as it was a shame to have to head home and leave the beautiful beach to the birds and waves.

burning candles

27th April 2018, Embleton Bay, 7am

I got to my bed about 1am after a great Rothbury Roots night and I was up at 6:30am for our walk. Strolling along the beach with just the dog and her shadow for company was very energising and I’ll be back in an hour or so with a happy holiday group from HPB Lucker Hall

smell-o-vision

26th April 2018, Howick shore, 3pm

A beautiful looking day but I’m back in my winter layers. We’ll be down on that beach in a minute and we’ll find shelter from the West wind.

Down on the beach...Much more relaxed and warm

The smell of gorse in the spring is one of my favourite things. Shame I can’t share it.  I hope you can imagine it!

finders keepers

 25th April 2018, Embleton Bay, 7am

The beach was huge and the sea very calm.  Hidden in that big wide landscape was at least a couple of photographs just waiting to be found.

energy

23rd April 2018, Embleton Bay, 7am

Out early to avoid the roadworks besieging our village this week.

It was bright but with a very chilly wind so we perched up high but I was hunkered down out of the wind.

24th April 2018, Embleton Bay, 7am

Another early start and Daisy had a burst of energy as soon as she saw the big empty beach and all the low tide sand.

24th April 2018, Chatton, 10am

I was very chuffed to see my first adder.  Males are black and white and females more brown.  This one struck me as cream and dark brown when I saw it but I can't be sure. He/she was moving quite fast energised by the bright sun and soon disappeared into a clump of grass except for a tip of a tail.

Earth Day

22nd April 2018, Dunstanburgh, 6:30am

It's Earth Day today. I like to think that every day for me is a day to celebrate the natural world. My photography is inspired endlessly by the nature that surrounds me on this beautiful Northumberland coastline.

Today was no exception with the beautiful light of the new day shining over the sea.  I was drawn to different silhouettes of grass rocks and headland.

I had to rush for this shot as I could see that the sun would soon disappear into the wee cloud.

Further up the coast and the sun had come back out from the cloud.  I couldn't decide which composition I preferred but seeing as I don't really have to choose, here's both!

 Further up the coast again and the sun was more hazy

avoiding trouble

21st April 2018, Howick shore, 6:30am

I leave the house early to find peace and solitude and to see aspects of nature that few others witness.
I find it best to avoid the crowds which will descend on Northumberland today (sunny weekend).

The light over the sea was beautiful and we had a grand walk despite a burnt out sofa on one beach a couple lighting a fire on another beach some rogue sheep to negotiate and a vicious little dog that had a go at Daisy.

I was quite glad to get home and leave the coast to the ravages that the day will bring.

the solitude of the lurcher walker

20th April 2018, Beadnell Bay, 6:15am

Up early for a treat.  Still too late for sunrise but early enough for a peaceful walk up the sand with a glassy sea and yesterday's footprints for company.

I've learned not to expect Daisy to trot along by my side and when it's this quiet I don't mind her running off to nose around the long grass of the dunes.  Eventually we caught each other up and she was in hunting mode - ever alert and looking for trouble...

layers

19th April 2018, Embleton Bay, 8am

Properly warm.  Daisy cooled her paws in the sea and I was only wearing 3 layers and summer trousers.  Lovely!

unremarkable

18th April 2018, Embleton Bay, 8am

I tell people that i record the landscape as I find it - whatever the weather but i am sometimes guilty of only recording remarkable weather and leaving the grey days to themselves.

This morning was unremarkable in its featureless greyness.

shaggy dog tail

17th April 2018, Dunstanburgh, 8am

Someone's been digging into this WW2 dugout which previously was just a depression in the grass.  It's interesting to see the structure of the stonework.  This is one of 10 "weapons pits" that were part of a trench and dugout system around a pillbox close to Dunstanburgh castle.  Personally I wouldn't dig around too much or it could all blow up in your face!

17th April 2018, Newton Point, 3pm

Warm but windy and Daisy's fur was in a state!

The clouds were beautiful

mist retreating

16th April 2018, Embleton Bay, 8am

At last a warm day.  Daisy was warm enough to cool her paws.

The last tendrils of the morning fog seemed reluctant to release their grip on the castle towers.  I live for photographic opportunities like this.

sisters together

14th April 2018, Dunstanburgh, 7:15am

At last a hint of sunlight.

As the seasons roll by the sunrise becomes more inaccessible.

I was out at 7:15 this morning but that was more than an hour after sunrise. Still there can be beautiful light at any time and I was there just in time for the first of the day's sun to peak out from the mist and clouds that were retreating off to the East.

water, water, everywhere

10th April 2018, Dunstanburgh, 7:30am

It was raining - a lot.  My first set of waterproofs was soaked by the end of the dog walk...

10th April 2018, Roughting Linn, 10am

...and into my 2nd set of waterproofs to lead a damp archaeology walk to Roughting Linn.  the waterfall was in fine voice.