Invisible nature reserve

July 3rd, 2008

Tryggevælde stream is a nature reserve in Eastern Zealand, 30 km south of Copenhagen. The sluggish river is covered with yellow water lilies. The banks are mainly reed, with very few flowering plants. The damp meadows beside the stream are invisible, and our group didn’t think to get out to look at the reportedly rich flora, being mainly concerned with completing the 11 km to the sea.

tryggevaelde aa

The rain turned to thunderstorm. We took a cool windswept lunch in a park near the mouth of the river.

gazebo

Much praise to the driver of the 20 kayak trailer. It took a while to load and unload the trailer and about an hour from clubhouse to the starting point. So there was much logistics for slender reward.

trailerloading

Edible landscape

May 18th, 2008

Choppy water round the corner of Froward Point persuaded us that a relaxed tour of the beach in Newfoundland cove would be a good way to enjoy the spring sunshine, and it gave us an opportunity to sample the spring crop of wild food - Rock Samphire (Crithmum maritimum, not to be confused with marsh Samphire) at the back of the beach, wild cabbage, whose yellow flowers colour the lower slope, interspersed with pink Valerian further up.

newfoundland cove

cabbage

A melancholy monument

May 11th, 2008

Under the high and jagged cliffs west of Dartmouth a small memorial is set into the rock, only reachable by kayaks and swimmers.

Memorial cliff

The inscription reads:

Erected by friends of Reginald Colebrooke Reade, of Torquay, architect, M.A. to mark the spot where he fell and lay dying in the prime of health and strength, 28 June 1891, aged 37. He was heard to say “It’s all right”.

reade memorial

New tourist season at the Mewstone

May 4th, 2008

We were greeted by the seals, more than usually curious. Maybe they missed us. No wind but sufficient swell to make some white water.

mewstone whitewater

First meeting of the season

May 1st, 2008

Low tide and a sunny evening make even the lower depths of the Kingswear railway station look romantic.

railwaypillars

And it’s the last season for the higher ferry and the gentle surfing waves generated by its paddles. The paddles have been painted for the season but the rest of the boat reveals its soon to be scrapped status. Or was it always like that?

higher ferry

Pre-season meetings

April 22nd, 2008

A cheerful group enjoyed the warm air and muted sunshine. Kingswear castle in the background.

kingswear castle

Limit to navigation

April 16th, 2008

Bow bridge is where the Harbourne river meets the tidal water of the Dart estuary. The lowest of the many watermills on the river is just visible to the right behind the bridge. On the left is the terrace of the Waterman’s Arms pub and in the foreground is the pair of swans whose nest is just beyond the bridge on the left bank. Behind the camera stretches the three km of Bow Creek, a quiet stretch of water, expansive but shallow, with rocky south shore and a sinuous deep water channel, which discourages keel boats and speedboats and so the creek is rich in aquatic birds.

Bow Bridge