Skateraw

After a couple of days of going no further than the front drive and still feeling under par, we took our persistent cold germs on a trip to the seaside. Careful selection of the destination included a quiet parking place with a nice view while we ate a picnic and sat reading our books. Also, should we have the energy to do so, to have access to a walk on the beach without the need to wade through yards of loose sand. Skateraw sounded perfect, its isolation attracting few visitors.

There were half a dozen cars already parked but no crowds of people, so we sat at a picnic table with a coffee, watching the waves beak over the rocks, with a louder whumph than the distance suggested. It was pleasant in the cool, fresh air so a stroll along the beach felt manageable... then along the flat rocks, layered with ripple-marks, at the north end, to the level outcrop where the birds congregate and those waves break over Chapel Point or rush past towards Barns Ness. (See extra, looking north). I was intrigued by the cloud, which appeared to have a waterfall along the following edge - whether there is a classification for this I do not know, it may be merely my imagination.

We returned on the higher level, past a private barbecue, to our picnic lunch. By now there were more people arriving and enjoying the seaside, especially the dogs, we counted over a dozen and more coming down from that barbecue, with two or more dogs each. According to a local the increase in visitors with dogs has seriously affected the wading bird breeding population as there are too few areas for ground nesting. We were also informed that car parking is allowed at the power station, by the visitor centre, so checked that on our way  out and will bear it in mind when back to full strength.

I do feel the better for the sea air but poor Mr Flum is still coughing.