Oyster beds at Allonby

We decided to head for the coast today and hope that the promised frequent showers would not be too troublesome. I'd checked the tides and we headed for Allonby to find the oyster beds.

By the time we arrived, the tide was still too high to see them, so we set about finding a much needed (!) coffee. That proved a bit difficult. The Codfather fish and chip shop and post office did not start serving until 1130 and served take away coffee. Other cafes were closed. Finally we found a nursery with a lovely cafe.

Restored we set about finding a good place to park, donned our wellies and waterproofs and climbed down to the sands. The wind was very strong, but it wasn't raining. As the tide went out, the oyster beds became visible and gradually we approached them. Sadly, even at the lowest point of the tide, the outer beds which held the oyster baskets were beyond our reach.

The wind was much too strong to have the tripod at any height without them blowing over and I could nto produce an image where the tips of the posts did not hit the horizon. Better luck next time!

On our way back, we met Wilf, the oyster man, driving his van along the beach. He told us a lot about the process of growing and harvesting the oysters. He also explained that this was the highest low tide of the week and the water would be inches lower in Friday. Too late for us.

In the extra you can see a flock of oystercatchers taking off. See how the rough seas have churned up the sand, making the water bronw.

This evening we went to hear the Orchestra of the Swan playing. They played a Rossini overture, the Dvorak cello concerto with Raphael Wallfisch and Beethoven's Symphony 8.  It was a wonderful evening in the packed Theatre by the Lake.

Tomorrow I move on to Penrith - not Kendal as I said yesterday - for the photoworkshop.