Storm Eunice

Having lived on this coast most of my life, I have a deep-held respect for the sea and the elements. Storms, gales, high seas - they all need to be treated with respect, so while I briefly consider the idea of travelling over to Anglesey to capture waves crashing against Penmon lighthouse, common sense prevails. The journey itself would be unnecessary, and I’m fairly sure the conditions there at high tide would be treacherous. Sensibly, I abandon the idea. 

In reality, we awake to relative calm, but the force of the storm has yet to hit. Of course, it’s to the south that Eunice is wreaking havoc, but even here we’re soon aware of the howling gale. We watch the bending trees from the warmth and safety of our home. 

Eventually, high tide and highest wind speeds having passed, we decide to drive around our coastal area. 

Rollers are battering the steeply banked north shore of Llandudno, spindrift flowing in the high winds. On one side, waves crash against the Little Orme; on the other, the ‘Queen of Welsh Resorts’ is edged by undulating ocean. 

We head off round the Great Orme, coming into the full force of the storm. Opening the car door is hard enough; standing upright to take my shots is nigh impossible. 

We leave the high ground to end our journey on West Shore, the sky now lightening and the sea flattening into a foamy whole. But still the wind’s ferocious, whipping bitter cold from the snowy tops of the Carneddau. 

Today, it’s very much a storm ‘set’ but for my main, I’ve eventually decided to go with waves against the Little Orme - with Llandudno, the Great Orme, West Shore and Waves in extras.