Portland Bill and Chesil beach battered by storms




Portland Bill like the rest of the country had a bit of a battering weather wise this weekend.

Portland and the south coast in general had some flood warnings issued over the weekend and with the wind helping the sea along it was a wise move.

The main causeway connecting Portland to the mainland known as "beach road" is pretty vulnerable to flooding in high winds.

Annoyingly my own rechargeable batteries for my camera ran out so a old friend who took these great pictures has allowed me to share them with you all.

Thank you to the lovely Serena for allowing me to share...

As you can see from the first picture the waves were very long and crashing in hard on the pebbles, this beach being made wholly of pebbles itself is part of the reason we get flooding as the beach tends to move in and upwards.

On any other day you will notice the beach steps up as the beach gets higher, the tiers are non existent in this kind of weather, as you see below taken slightly further back from the first one.




This untamed wind topped 80 mph at least, I'd say it got to 90mph at times out there, indeed my son had trouble staying on his feet.

Although he had never seen this so rough, the last time I remember it getting this bad was 1989, or thereabouts.

The boats had been moved off the beach and placed on the wall itself or behind the wall for better shelter.

With this second picture you an clearly just how far up the beach the waves are going, and with only the beach stopping it going over onto the street where I live and the beach road itself it's no surprise the place was reinforced 20 years ago near the Cove inn and behind my own home.




Facing the waves from the vantage point where Serena took the pictures you are looking at this coming towards you, crashing against the sea wall itself, where people usually walk, (it was closed by the coastguard) and you will get WET here!

Serena also went out to Portland Bill no doubt to show her kids the things we grew up seeing, what makes Portland so great in stormy weather.

It's the Portland we get to respect when she shows her true power.

As you an see below the crane itself is dwarfed by the crashing waves.


12 comments:

  1. some good photos your OLD friend has taken Rob bless her heart you will have to replace the batteries for yours or you may get caught napping again mate

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  2. shelley16.11.09

    Love the pictures,she must be mad!!!

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  3. Ha .. Serena will kill me!! :o)

    She did indeed take some good shots here, was an amazingly strong wind and I am surprised Serena stayed upright to take these, and the fact the camera took the pictures ok considering how hard it must have been to keep still.

    I can't believe I have charged them batteries 1000 times or more as they are claimed to be able to do, yep will have to get new ones, can't not have the camera.

    Rob

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  4. Serena16.11.09

    Mmmmmmmm less of the OLD, lol. I'm really glad I dragged my partner and kids out in that weather to take the pics, like you say it was REALLY windy. My boys both got blown off their feet a few times....but was worth it. Thanks for your nice comments, its inspired me to get out and about more with my camera ;O)

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  5. Hello there me old mucka...
    I mean, hi Serena! ;o)

    Not surprised you are glad to have done it, I am too, gives our kids a great opportunity to see the earth's greatest power, the weather.

    And lucky us to be able to see it from all sides.

    Glad to know you will be getting out there and taking more. So you should... ;o)

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  6. Regarding rechargeable batteries. The WORST thing you can do is buy and use one of those rapid chargers - even the branded ones, such as Duracell are the enemy of the battery.

    Spend the extra money, and get something like this:

    La Crosse Technology BC-9009 AlphaPower Battery Charger, also buy GOOD hybrid rechargeables like Sanyo Eneloop.

    It might cost a little more (not much more) but they'll outlast any of that energizer and duracell crap. I guarantee it.

    THROW AWAY the fast chargers, it's killing your batteries.

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  7. Thanks for that advice, I did get the charger and batteries from a camera shop, not impressed with them to be honest, will have to look into the ones you mentioned.

    Thanks again for that.

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  8. sylv webster16.1.10

    Lovely pictures Rob, or should I say Serena and a good blog too. We must never ever underestimate the power and might of the sea. Beautiful to watch in a storm but from a very very safe distance.

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  9. The most powerful force in the world I'd say Sylv, those who don't respect it get hurt by it.

    But like you said, to watch from a safe distance, awesome and scary.

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  10. Rhonda16.1.10

    Totally stunning pictures,like to take a few snaps myself(and being a lover of Portland)truly appreciate the beauty in them.Nearly as good as being there ;)

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  11. Anonymous8.7.10

    fantastic pictures I love chesil beach in this kind of weather it clears the cobwebs away and makes you think twice just how dangerous the sea can be still I find it very calming and with it stunning beauty who could ask for more thanks for sharing them rob and friends
    kerry sewell

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  12. Hey Kerry,

    It certainly does give us a sharp reminder to respect the sea, my youngest was made well aware of it, didn't need me to say anything. :o)

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