Amid the wreckage

The promise of a thaw on Boxing Day meant that we could escape from the reverse micro-climate of this part of Devon (invariably colder or wetter or icier)  and head to the county's north coast. Like me, my friend M at Random Distractions - who lives there - has had a different sort of Christmas and we make the most of winter sunshine to visit Crow Point. To walk, talk and take photos. 

M is an excellent guide; she knows the geography and history of this unexpected landscape, with its burrows and dykes. She tells me about salt marshes, linhays, Dutch engineers, and about the US soldiers who trained here in World War II.

As the estuary beach at Crow Point curves, two wrecked boats come into view and the Edinburgh Boy is off like a shot. Really, it is like living with a small boy; he is fascinated by things mechanical and vehicles of all kinds: tractors, trucks, lorries - and boats. But he has never seen a wrecked boat. He is off like a shot:

 

and carries out a quick inspection:

  

There is a raw beauty in these wrecks, from whichever angle they are viewed:

 

 

 

 

  

The beauty, as so often, is in the detail - layers of flaking paint, a section of frame revealing echoes of the boat-builder's craft, rusting iron, lichen and splintering, weather-worn wood.

 

I don't know the story behind the wrecks but, driving back home, I invent one and tell it to the Edinburgh Boy, as he licks the sand from his paws. But my seal-black, bright-eyed sea dog has his his own story to tell . . .

 

 Master and commander

Comments

[Jay]

How lucky you were to find two wrecked boats! Unlucky for the owners, for sure, but lucky for you. They are just so picturesque, aren't they? You did a great job on the photography, too.

Just through watching the weather forecasts I've noticed over the years that some of Devon has much worse weather than areas further north. It's always seemed very odd to me, since we think of the West Country as warmer.

[Maureen]

Fabulous photos, D. Thanks to you and the young sea dog for making the Boxing day walk so special.

[materfamilias]

Wonderful post -- thank you!

[wendy robertson]

Dear Boots

I walked with you on your walk and started to think of stories about those wrecked boats with their ruined beauty. Your photographs are exquisite - works of art in themselves: palimpsests of sailor's lives.

Just a lovely post.

wx

[60 Going On 16]

I hope you're not all shivering this morning. Mid-Devon awoke to the effects of yet another sub-zero night, with treacherous patches of ice on our hillside road and all the other surrounding hillside roads. But the sun is shining and, with luck, we might manage another coastal visit to start the New Year.