Hello again. on Saturday the 25th of September after spending most of the day in Ellins Tower I went a roving. Whenever I am at the South Stack reserve I always carry my small digital camera in my pocket. You never know when something interesting is going to happen. I am usually ready for anything and take lots and lots of pictures, they are useful for my blogs. Saturday afternoon whilst in the tower minding my own business, Dave one of the resident volunteers, incidentally who had only been with us a matter of hours, spotted 10 Dolphins passing very close to Ellins tower. We frequently get porpoise but Dolphins especially so close to the tower are a real treat.
I acted quickly, used my radio to call the centre and asked them to inform our visitors of the opportunity to see these wonderful creatures. I then, like everyone else was glued to the window watching this fabulous spectacle. I was so absorbed that I committed a cardinal sin! I forgot to take a picture! I am still hurting from this, however, on with the roving.
I left the visitor centre not really knowing where my walk would take me. I decided to take the route over the mountain and started up the path that begins just below the visitor centre.
It wasn't such a bad afternoon, the morning had not been as good. I soon caught up with four people also enjoying a walk. The young lady in the group was stalking a Chough hoping to get a good close picture. The Chough are surprisingly not too shy as long as you do not crowd them and move reasonably slowly.
The young man in the group told me that earlier in their walk they had come across a common newt! This was a good find.
I left them looking at the wild flowers and soon came to the next gate. I did the obvious thing to open it but found that in spite of my efforts I could not move the gate. I put away my camera in order to be able to use two hands on the brute.
It turned out that the gate did me a favour. As I looked up not very far from me sat on a rock was a female Peregrine Falcon. Had the gate opened at my first attempt I would probably not have seen the bird and disturbed it. After watching it for some considerable time it eventually flew off. I then continued towards the mountain.
I always look back the way that I have come often we miss out on the best views by not doing so. In front of me I got a wonderful view of the gorgeous heather.
I travelled on towards the mountain.
My next encounter was with two lovely Labradors and their owners. We had quite a good chat they came from the south of Birmingham and were on holiday.
I met these two nice people later on the path down to Ellins tower where I showed them how to spot the Lizards. I then carried on and headed towards North Stack.
I looked for a path that would take me back which was closer to the sea but there was no path visible and once off the main route the ground was quite wet.
I then decided to make my way back to the visitor centre. The staff at South Stack including the volunteers carry radio communication. I was quite a long way from the centre and was surprised to hear on my receiver a conversation between two of the staff. This is very reassuring to know that they operate at this distance.
I next encountered several wild flowers some of which I took pictures of. I am not too good at identifying them but I feel sure that Mo will help me out.
At last base is in sight.
This view and that of Ellins tower have been gazed upon countless times, some of the people quite distinguished. Queen Victoria went down to the lighthouse at least twice. She would visit on her way back from Ireland. When you travel up the road to South Stack you are tracing history. The road that you travel is in fact the original road (minus of course the tar macadam).
And here I am home again.
Thank's for the company: mel