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I've taken you back to Seaford Head and the Cuckmere Haven where a few days ago we saw the bad weather closing in on the Seven Sisters white chalk cliffs.
I couldn't resist capturing this image of the old coastguard cottage with its red door and blue window frame set against the super-grey English Channel. It's hard to belive that if you keep on going south for about 900 miles you'll reach the sunny scenery of Menton DP. Ah, well; you can't have everything.
Looking through the arches of Richmond Bridge up-river towards Petersham Meadows. Nothing execeptional in this scene - it's just an everyday sight for those fortunate enough to live here.
For those of you who don't know, this is a classic "South Coast" view akin to the iconic "White Cliffs of Dover". This scene shows the coast guard cottages at Cuckmere Haven (where the Cuckmere flows off the South Downs into the English Channel) and the famous "Seven Sisters" chalk cliffs stretching towards Beachy Head light house and Eastbourne, Hastings and onwards towards Dover after the interruption of Dungeoness and Romney Marsh .
The scene is much photographed, in sunshine, evening light, frosty early mornings etc. My scene shows it as bad weather suddenly sweeps in having traveled rapidly up the English Channel from the South West. A strong "Souwester" is blowing - loved (and feared) by generations of British and Dutch sailors as this wind blew them hard and very fast up the Channel on the final leg of their long sea voyages towards home. The "day tripper" photographer has to take what he gets. When I started out to walk the cliff tops, the sun was bright. Suddenly this rough weather fell upon me within minutes!!
In the 1940s you could stand here and watch dramatic aerial battles between squadrons of German and British aircraft locked in mortal combat, swooping upon each other at 340 mph, creating the legends of the White Cliffs as they fought.
Study in black and white with four birds flying.
Trying hard to get noticed.
A day out on the South Coast. We are at Seaford looking due South across the English Channel. The con-trails, narrow and fresh, or wide and decaying are numerous and show that this is major crossing point for giant airliners flitting across the world. The wide angle lens does justice to the sense of fresh air and the concept of the wide, wide world across the sea. The scene looks outward - a healthy state to be in.
All things bright..........
