The Long & Short Of It, Dungeness

I only realised recently that I was getting close to my fifth blipversary, so I thought today's title was apt (it actually comes from Shakespeare's The Merry Wives Of Windsor). My very first blip was way back in late April 2012 so it's taken me along and winding road to get to this point! However, it has also seemed very short because the time has flown by due to Blipfoto being such a rich and enjoyable part of my life. A day without getting a blip always feels like a disappointment. It's also a wonderfully friendly and kind space unlike so much of the online world today. It's helped me through both good and bad periods in my life - sometimes just a kind word, a star or a heart has really lifted my spirits when I've ben struggling so I'd like to thank everyone who has responded to my blips, it means so much.
Today's trip was a double header - first stop off was the eerily strange and other worldly Dungeness. The main image is of a wood and steel T-shaped tower that was built as a navigation landmark for seafarers before the nuclear power station and the "new" lighthouse was built. The guy-wires ensure that the structure doesn't blow down. It's presence was due to the shoreline being more or less featureless and so it allowed seafarers to judge their distance and heading from Dungeness. I noticed the light was shining straight into my lens when I took the shot but I rather like the effect of the flaring in the image. The tiny human is actually my brother! The first extra is the rather magnificent newer lighthouse.
While we were there we also saw Derek Jarman's beautiful Prospect Cottage. It's been recently renovated and is used as a writer's retreat. Dungeness does cast a weird spell,  it's not exactly conventionally beautiful, but it really does draw you in.
The second part of the trip was another visit to Camber Sands. The two could not be more different.The hard pebbles and stones of Dungeness give way to the long serene stretch of golden sand. Due to the bad weather recently the sand had got everywhere from the play areas (see third extra) to the car park with waves of undulations in and around the buildings (see last two extras). Luckily, one of the cafes on the beach was still open so we managed to get a cold beer each and some lunch.
After all that activity and sea air it was time to head home.
Once again I'd like to say massive thank you to everyone who has commented or given me a star or a heart over the past ten years since I started blipping. It really does mean a lot and I'm so grateful.