Tidal Surge 2013 at Cromer, Norfolk

 I had been looking forward to a visit to Snettisham for the Wader Spectacular and wished for a northerly wind to ensure the waders were driven off the mudflats at today's Spring Tide (4.1 metres). Be careful what you wish for as yesterday there were the highest tides along the Norfolk coast since 1953 and Snettisham Reserve was closed today as was much of the A149 coastal road. We visited those areas that were accessible - at Moreston Quay the car park was half under water and seal trips definitely off.
We also visited Cromer where the waves were still topping the pier well after high tide. The final images show the extensive damage to the shops and beach huts at Cromer.

In some cases, the doors on the beach huts stayed firm -  one owner said as a result of extra mortis locks at the top. Where the door caved in then the window, front wall and all the contents were washed out. 

Kimmeridge and West Bay

 Our next stop was Kimmeridge Bay, famous for the flat rocks but these were covered as the tide was higher  than expected probably due to the onshore wind. The wind surfers kept us occupied for a couple of hours - very brave folk in the huge waves. I remembered that West Bay had a promenade and therefore might be good to photograph at high tide, so we ended up there. The spray was fantastic but even more intriguing were the large lumps of foam being propelled into the air.

Cambridge on a Stormy Sunday

 Walked round Cambridge on Sunday morning showing Charles and Janet some of the photographic gems. The weather was very varied from sun to hail. Occasionally the light was right for the scene.

Blossom and Stormy Sky

The pear and plum blossom looked great against the very stormy sky that we had this afternoon

Rainbow, Full Moon and Beach Huts

A sequence of images from a late afternoon visit to those Beach Huts. Beauriful sunny scene when we arrived and then the storm clouds came. End of Pier image has no HDR processing - the clouds reminded me of the images of hurricanes approaching in USA. No rain came until after a visit to the Fishing huts and then only enough to give a rainbow over the Beach Huts. To finish the unreal scene, a full moon was present just above the horizon - you can just see it in the centre of the bow.
The clouds disappeared and the moon gave lovely lighting on the water.

On the Beach at Prestatyn

Many thanks to Margaret and Helfin for entertaining us to lunch and then to Margaret for sharing her favourite beach. Right on cue storm clouds arrived giving some great lighting on the lighthouse. Above image appropriately for those who know Margaret is 'Boy and his Dragon' taken with the fish-eye lens.
The sky was ready-made for infrared so a few more beach images including some very attractive Sea Holly.

Trip into Cambridge

We arranged a club outing to Cambridge today and were rewarded with some wonderful skies and storm lighting though the threatened showers did not arrive till after we had finished. The dark sky and brightly lit buildings as we walked out of Clare College were amazing.