Whale, Surfing, Landslips

Jesse's working hard up at the house, so planning things to do at the weekends. Today we set off on the 2 hour drive to go surfing on the south coast, just a few miles to the east of Lulworth Cove, site of many a geography fieldtrip.

We were cold before we even left, strapping the boards to the roof left us with numb fingers and shivering, so the idea of getting in the sea and gong surfing was the last thing on our minds. As we left, determined to get there at least, it began to snow in small flurries.

After arriving, the surf was low, and due to pick up later, so we went on a walk. The cliff path was closed due to cliff-falls and landslips - but we still ended up walking around the coast, on the rocks and wave cut platform (you can't really call it a beach), wary of the towering cliffs above. Occasionally you could hear a stone or two come loose, which would send you skittering back or towards the sea, while you watched the cliff face for any more movement.

We continued on, aware of tidal constraints, and pushed on past a wet headland, where, as the tide was rising, marked a point of no return. Not always the best feeling when you're unsure of the way ahead, and if you can even get round back on to the top of the cliff for the path back.

All the way along I was finding interesting fossils - this part of the coast is known as the 'Jurassic Coast' because they're so much in abundance, and as we walked this stretch of beach we came across a huge bone. I mean huge - you couldn't have got your arms around it, let alone lift it. As we went closer to investigate, we almost stepped on it - the rotting carcass of a Fin Whale. Luckily we noticed before we put out feet though the rotting flesh. In this photo I'm holding one of - not even the biggest - of the rib bones that had become separated from the body, and wern't as smelly.

We continued on, and the cliffs above us became increasingly unstable and put me more and more on edge. There were icicles that dangled from the waterlogged fronts, and still the occasional rockfall. I wanted to get out, and fast. Unfortunately, we were cut off by a headland, with waves breaking on it, with no other choice than to continue forwards. Shitty situation. I stripped down to my toes, Jesse in his wellies, and we pushed on - careful not to rely on the support of the cliff above us, that had a large array of cracks and looked very, very unstable.

We got round but were pummelled by a few waves. I was ok, Jesse's boots were filled, but we were out of the sea.

And into landslip territory. The beach was almost completely covered by recent slips, with some so big that were the sea had truncated them they were double overhead. It was all to easy to imagine what would become of you if one happened as you were passing under.

Luckily, none did, and we got back to the coast path OK. It was still as 4 mile walk back to the car, and the way was riddled with scar lines and landslips where the path had fallen into the sea below. It was clearly a good idea to close it.

Back at the car, as dusk fell, Jesse went surfing. I couldn't be doing with getting much colder, so I sat by the side an watched. Looked fun, but very cold.

Back home, looked up the whale, . No wonder it was stinky.