A bit of a mixed bag this week for the challenge. It’s strange how we all interpret a theme differently but this is how I see security. Weston-super-Mare has some fantastically wide and long beaches but it has one major failing. The tide goes out such a long distance and after the sand ends horrible thick cloying mud is exposed, the low tide mark in Weston Bay is about 1 mile (1.6 km) from the seafront. Trust me you don’t want to walk into it. you sink quickly and can immediately be up to your knees. Now here’s the worrying part. The tide that went out so far comes back in at a really fast speed and it’s unforgiving. If you’re stuck in the mud, and each year people do, you’d better hope the Rescue Team get to you in time, because Weston-super-Mare has one of the highest tidal rises in the world as much as 48ft (14.5m).
So for people’s own security and safety there are signs all along the beach warning of the dangers of sinking mud, and yet they are often ignored.
Still in Weston-super-Mare. Because of those fast, incoming tides it is all too easy to get caught out. Take a look at the photograph below. On the causeway between Knightstone Island and WSM the tide often surges over the top. Now Knightstone really isn’t an island anymore. There is a perfectly good road which loops round the sea-front and is not much longer than the causeway. So there’s no need to put yourself in danger by walking across when the tide is coming in. Remember, it’s a fast tide that rises a considerable height. Look at the little dog on the lead. it’s been turned around by the waves. At this point she was halfway across and fortunately she made it safely……..
……and here’s the same causeway on a wild and stormy night.
Further along the coast is Uphill Beach. You can walk from WSM to Uphill and it’s a really nice walk with sand dunes and of course long sandy beaches. Here they have a similar problem with mud, but there’s also an additional problem on the beach – boy racers. You can drive on Uphill beach and often the idiots will come on and start tearing up and down at a fair old speed. Supposedly there is a speed limit of 15mph but they don’t pay attention to that. So there are signs warning beach goers about the mud and speeding cars.. The local farmer makes a small amount of money each year towing cars out of the mud before the tide comes in. I’ve even towed a family car out that got stuck in soft sand.
I took this photograph a long time ago and it’s an old lighthouse at Burnham-on-Sea. further along the coast from WSM. Since I took this the steps have been repaired but it’s a long time since I’ve been to Burnham- so I can’t really say if the lighthouse is still in good repair.
Although they have weapons, I think these guards are more for show than anything else. This is a popular tourist spot – Prague Castle.
Anyway that’s it for this week and like I said a bit of a mixed bag which hopefully convey some meaning around security.
Here’s what other bloggers are saying about this weeks challenge.
Margaretakirken – artishorseshit
By Tram, Escalator and Ferry- Hong Konging it – psychologistmimi
phoetryartwrasana Catalyst
This is Another Story A Special Necklace
Hot Dogs and Marmalade New Use for an iPod
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Weekly Photo Challenge. Security. – The Digital Teacup
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I enjoyed the mixed bag. Very nice photos. I would not want to even get near that particular area. It all sounds too dangerous to me. I can’t understand why people take chances.
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It’s fine as long as you stay on the sand, Yvonne. The sandy beaches really are very wide, a good half mile or more. Locals know what it’s like, it’s the tourists who think the signs don’t apply to them. Fortunately, they now have a hovercraft which can get across the mud flats, with special equipment on-board to suck the thick cloying mud away from people, enabling them to be rescued before the tide comes in.
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Thank goodness for the hovercraft. I have yet to understand why tourists take ridiculous chances. They do it over here in National Parks especially. People want to be photographed near or up close and personal with wildlife. It boggles the mind.
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It’s all too easy and everyone wants that amazing photograph that they can put on FB/Instagram/Twitter for they’re on second of fame. They don’t think about the trouble they can get into. I see them here Snowdonia all the time. Just because it’s nice and sunny at the base of a mountain doesn’t mean it’s going to be like that at the top. Unfortunately Snowdon is very accessible, it’s one of the most visited mountains in the world, because most of the paths to the summit are pretty easy. But weather conditions change all the time. I’ve seen people walking up wearing trainers and track suits. On a good day, fine they’ll get away with it but if it starts to rain or the wind gets up, and it does on Snowdon, wind-chill soon sets in. Rant over.
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It’s a good rant and informative. I can’t comprehend the need for a that “second of fame” but y0u are right. We live in changing times and cultures where people are easily bored and identify with celebrities. I had no idea that people go up Snowdon as well not thinking of the consequences. Poor decisions of the climbers/hikers put the lives of rescuers in danger. Such a pity.
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That poor dog on the causeway! That smacks of animal cruelty…
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Twice it nearly got washed away. it was only the lead that kept the dog close to her.
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You have to wonder if the dog is glad of the lead in that situation. Mind you, without the lead, the dog wouldn’t have been stupid enough to be in said situation. 🙂
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great photo’s Mike, feel for the poor dogs, same thing happens on Holy Island, a week after I visited and sat in the Sentry (Rescue) box some idiot tried to drive across while the tide was coming in and got stuck. I watched the tide come in while there and it is amazing to see it racing across the sand.
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I like Holy Island, great place to visit, but you’ve got to watch those tide times and just because it says high tide is whatever hour people think they can cross 10 minutes before that. We have a similar problem at Llandwyn Island, Anglesey and Hilbre on the Wirral. They’re only for walkers but people do misjudge the tide times.
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Very beautiful pictures 🙂
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Thank you, glad you liked them
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Nice photos and it was interesting to read about the causeway.
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It’s not a long causeway by any means, but that tide does shift very fast. If its just starting to come over as you start to walk it will be fully over the causeway by the time you get to the end. I’ve seen quite a few get wet feet because of this.
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Wow this is really informative and that essential quality which makes informative readable – well written and interesting. Must say felt a bit quilty about the taking chances comments, for when I started reading it I was thinking to walking there on my bucket list but 14.5 meter tide remark quenced that thought. Nice photos
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It’s fine to walk there when the tide is out Abrie. The beaches are beautiful and sand and well used by families. It’s only when you venture past the signs warning of the dangers of the mud that you can get in difficulty. Yes, the tide does come in quite fast and yes it is high, but its safe if you take normal precautions for any coastal walk. i.e find out the tide times and check the weather.
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