A secret portal

I was again drawn to the coast by the prospect of the spring tide when the sea retreats from the land to its furthest limit, exposing a nether world that is normally hidden. Rocks rear up to unimagined heights, seaweed protrudes from the water bowed down by its own weight and acres of submerged seabed are uncovered, all studded with limpets and painted calamine pink with algae. In this cove (where I found the dead seal a few days ago), there a particular attraction for me in using this cleft in the rocks to reach a further bay which is otherwise inaccessible. Normally the waves swirl fiercely through this narrow corridor but today even a small dog could traverse the hidden portal with dry feet.

My primary mission was accomplished: the seal's head was harvested and is now gently simmering in a stockpot to release the skull. (It smells quite nice - fishy!)