I embarked on my Spring tour of Devon and Cornwall on Thursday, heading into North Cornwall via Dartmoor. Spring flowers on the coast can be quite hard to time just right, especially on the Atlantic coast where they are under constant attack from the elements. They are at their best for precious little time. For instance, despite being in flower all along the coast, I discovered the patch of bluebells I had scouted out last year were still nowhere near flowering.
So, yesterday I chose to stay nearer to my North Devon base in Westward Ho!
So, yesterday I chose to stay nearer to my North Devon base in Westward Ho!
I remembered I had recently read that Trinity House had short-listed the lighthouse at Hartland Point for closure. Apparently all sea going vessels now use the Global Positioning System (GPS) and there is no need for a visual warning. Forgive my ignorance, but isn't that the same GPS that reportedly has a number of satellites overdue for replacement, and isn't our own star just embarking on it's natural cycle of increased solar activity that threatens to knock out satellites?
Anyway, built in 1874, the light from this little lighthouse can be seen from Westward Ho! Where I am staying. Infact I can see it while I write this. I have photographed the lighthouse on a number of occasions, but with the possibility it might soon be switched off I thought it would be a good idea to pay it a visit and photograph it's light once more, perhaps for the last time.
Anyway, built in 1874, the light from this little lighthouse can be seen from Westward Ho! Where I am staying. Infact I can see it while I write this. I have photographed the lighthouse on a number of occasions, but with the possibility it might soon be switched off I thought it would be a good idea to pay it a visit and photograph it's light once more, perhaps for the last time.
There is a great spot just south of the lighthouse on the cliff top a short distance off the beaten track where you get a clear view over the bay and the lighthouse and at this time of year the Thrift (Sea Pinks) should just about be in flower. I had in mind this would make a great place to photograph the Thrift and the lighthouse with it's light shining against a heavy grey sky. Perhaps if I was lucky a splash of evening sunlight from the West too.
When I arrived I found most of the cliff edge on which I had stood a few years earlier had fallen onto the rocks below and the Thrift was all but gone. A tiny clump remained and was clinging on precariously for life and was nowhere near flowering. The cliff top looked rather untidy and made for a very unsatisfactory foreground. I moved up the coast a little and had to settle for a composition lacking any foreground and regrettably lacking a view of the light I had set out to photograph.
I exposed one sheet, but I fear it's unlikely to match the two photographs shown here from 4 years ago. I probably should not have exposed it at all, but I felt compelled to make at least one exposure given the lighthouse may not have a future.
When I arrived I found most of the cliff edge on which I had stood a few years earlier had fallen onto the rocks below and the Thrift was all but gone. A tiny clump remained and was clinging on precariously for life and was nowhere near flowering. The cliff top looked rather untidy and made for a very unsatisfactory foreground. I moved up the coast a little and had to settle for a composition lacking any foreground and regrettably lacking a view of the light I had set out to photograph.
I exposed one sheet, but I fear it's unlikely to match the two photographs shown here from 4 years ago. I probably should not have exposed it at all, but I felt compelled to make at least one exposure given the lighthouse may not have a future.
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