Somerset's Jurassic Coast

Generally it is the Dorset coast which is referred to as the Jurassic coast but Somerset does have it's own fossil rich stretch of coastline. Kilve is situated close to Watchet and the beach is approached via a lane in the middle of the village.

The first sign of the curiosity of this beach is reached before you  get to the beach and is just on the edge of the parking area.

This curious tower was built in the 1920s and is a brick retort for smelting oil. The shale on the beach is oil rich and the spectacular idea was to refine oil! It never really took off.

Beyond here you get your first view of this coastline that was described by Wordsworth as 'Kilve's delightful shore'.

I have visited this area before but hadn't previously been down onto the beach. Walking across the rocks is not easy but is well worth the effort. It is obviously dependent on a low tide.

The various layers of rock laid down millions of years ago are very evident and create curious patterns along the beach.

There are layers of oil rich shale and lias which is rich in fossils.

It is an area of Special Scientific Interest and it is forbidden to remove any rocks. Walking only a short distance on the rocks certainly revealed a large number of interesting rock formations and fossils.

There are a mixture of ammonites and vertebrates.

We then went for a walk along the cliff path which is an ideal place to admire both the coastline and the stretches of agricultural land.

South Wales is visible across the Bristol Channel in the distance.

Then it is possible to see further down the coast the new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point being built.

More Celebrations

Good morning to you all on this dull cloudy Monday. I have a pile of washing to get done and I am not convinced that much of it will see the washing line this morning. I hope you have all had good weekends.

It's been another busy one here with Student Daughter home and a table top sale to make cakes for plus helping with the refreshments (sausage baps) on Saturday morning. It was then partying from 4pm to Midnight and friends round for lunch on Sunday.

The party was another family event with a small marquee on the lawn.

Our niece celebrates her 30th birthday this week and she never misses a good opportunity to celebrate.

Her sister made another of her superb cake creations.

There was also croquet on the lawn.

The new addition to the canine family enjoyed the party.

She belongs to my brother in law and is now growing at a rapid speed after a rather steady start.

We were lucky to have no rain but the fire pit came back into action and was certainly needed on a cold September evening.

I might add that nobody is on fire in the above picture it's just a trick of the lens!

Have a good week everyone.

An Interesting Selection

Leading on from my post yesterday there was quite a variety of different squashes on show in the produce part of the ploughing match. These three massive pumpkins were on show outside the marquee as entries for the heaviest pumpkin. There is a shoulder of a child sat by them on the left if you are considering how big they are. Perhaps also an entry for No. 14 A Trilogy of Three  for the SPSH.

 There were a good variety on show inside. Some very interesting shapes.

The second prize went to this extraordinary squash which fortunately has the name of the variety written next to it.

 There were also some fine looking marrows. So how do you cook your marrow? I have a good number ready to use and am always grateful for new ideas.

Take Three Thursday: A Rogue Plant

Today I am joining Mary Lou with her Thursday meme where you show three photos following a theme of something you have observed during the week.

Out in the potato field there is a rogue plant growing.

Amongst the potato leaves there are some marrow/ squash type leaves. Taking a closer look one can see that the plant is flourishing.

1.

2. 

3. 

The shape is like a squash but the colour is like a marrow. Any suggestions?

The Vintage Section

Yesterday I showed the horses competing at the ploughing match today I am moving on to the vintage section. It was great to see all the old tractors working.

It emphasises how much farm mechanism has changed.

Some of the competitors were doing high cut ploughing. I gather from Farmer Husband that with high cut a small furrow with a sharp pointed ridge is made. The seed was then sown by hand and would roll into the furrow before being covered.

Some of the  ploughing is a two man job.

There was plenty to wander round and watch.

Occasionally a comfort stop is required.

There was also a section of the competition for modern ploughs. Many of these had finished by the time we got over there.

Towards the end of the day a service for the blessing of the plough was held. Plough Sunday  is traditionally held in January when the plough is brought to the church for blessing. Work in the fields did not used to start until after this date. 

On this occasion the congregation at the ploughing match were encouraged to tie a piece of coloured baler twine onto the plough while they paused for a moment for thought and prayer.

Horse Power

It is many years since I last visited the North Somerset Ploughing Match but this year we managed a visit. This was the 175th ploughing match and the 31st craft and produce show. It proved to be a good day out. There was a lot to see particularly as this year it combined with a Heavy Horse Society so horses were very much in evidence.

It's great to see the tradition of ploughing and working the ground with horses continuing.

It looks pretty hard particularly controlling two or more large horses as well as working the ground.

This girl was working particularly hard.

It is easy to forget than horses were a huge part of the farm workforce only one generation back.

There is also a massive amount of work involved in preparing the horses and their tack.

How wonderful they look.

This however is my all time favourite.

Any suitable captions?