On the morning of the 20th we drove 40 miles through wonderful countryside, not mountainous but rolling hills and arable fields. The sun was shining and we enjoyed the journey although we couldn’t help wonder what we were missing down the lanes. Next trip I think.
The AA book of the Coast promised agates on the beach at Boddin Point and we spent a happy hour searching. We’re still not convinced we found agate but I’ve got a handful of very small specimens that I can check later. North of the point the sea has attacked the soft rock in the cliff eventually carving out a tunnel. The resulting piece of cliff is left jutting out and looks like an elephant with it’s front feet and trunk in the sea. I thought it had it’s back end in the sea at first, until Patrick explained it to me, but then I always seem to see things opposite to others. It has been named, wait for it, yes you’ve guessed, Elephant Rock.
The beach was mainly pebbles and the tide was in and every time a wave fell back over the pebbles it caused them to roll down the beach clattering against each other making a sound similar to that of a pair of hands gently stirring a bowl full of polished agates. So first there is the sound of the wave breaking on the shore followed by the clatter of the rolling pebbles, producing a sound that would be an asset to any percussion band.
Further North we visited the fish town of Usan, a disappointing end to the No Through road we took. It ended at the entrance of a fishery and the promised row of old cottages and Tower were now part of the yard and we couldn’t get a close look. The Tower was originally a watch tower and at one time housed the local lifeboat.
We were greeted at Usan by two farm collie dogs. They wanted to play and seemed to realise that they had found a mug in me. We only had stones to throw and fetch and they eventually left me for pastures new. We soon found out where they had been because a bird watching couple appeared from the sea shore accompanied by the dogs who had found a ball. It seems the female half of the couple (we females seem to have more of an affinity with animals than you males) refused to throw stones and told the dogs they needed to find a ball, so off they went only to return a few minutes later with a ball. Now she had no excuse and as she tired I took over her part in the game. The dogs loved us and the younger dog was kind to older by letting her reach the ball first. The older dog would bring the ball back and circle me in a clockwise direction and whilst standing to heel, drop the ball at my feet and we would begin a new game.
We left the dogs sitting on the bank, patiently waiting for the next mug and moved on to Montrose. The High street in Montrose is very wide, giving it a bright open feel with a lot of sky visible. The shops however, are much the same as in other towns. We noticed that the Church entrance was on the same level as the shops and we both commented on how unusual it seemed to have the Church open to the pavement. It seemed so close to pedestrians and dwarfed us. Having passed the Church we noticed a building with some iron railings across what appeared to be an archway and as you probably realise by now, I am a nosy person and had to investigate! These railings were preventing access to a mausoleum, it turned out that the Guildhall was built over the original graveyard to the church and rather than wreck the mausoleum some rooms of the Guildhall were built over it.
We didn’t get a good look at Montrose Basin, an area of 3 square miles of mud when the tide is out. Thousands of birds and geese feed here and it’s an important feeding ground. I’d like to think we can perhaps stop off here next Spring on our way to Orkney, but that’s for another day. Tomorrow is waiting for us to start yet another adventure here on the East coast.
The AA book of the Coast promised agates on the beach at Boddin Point and we spent a happy hour searching. We’re still not convinced we found agate but I’ve got a handful of very small specimens that I can check later. North of the point the sea has attacked the soft rock in the cliff eventually carving out a tunnel. The resulting piece of cliff is left jutting out and looks like an elephant with it’s front feet and trunk in the sea. I thought it had it’s back end in the sea at first, until Patrick explained it to me, but then I always seem to see things opposite to others. It has been named, wait for it, yes you’ve guessed, Elephant Rock.
The beach was mainly pebbles and the tide was in and every time a wave fell back over the pebbles it caused them to roll down the beach clattering against each other making a sound similar to that of a pair of hands gently stirring a bowl full of polished agates. So first there is the sound of the wave breaking on the shore followed by the clatter of the rolling pebbles, producing a sound that would be an asset to any percussion band.
Further North we visited the fish town of Usan, a disappointing end to the No Through road we took. It ended at the entrance of a fishery and the promised row of old cottages and Tower were now part of the yard and we couldn’t get a close look. The Tower was originally a watch tower and at one time housed the local lifeboat.
We were greeted at Usan by two farm collie dogs. They wanted to play and seemed to realise that they had found a mug in me. We only had stones to throw and fetch and they eventually left me for pastures new. We soon found out where they had been because a bird watching couple appeared from the sea shore accompanied by the dogs who had found a ball. It seems the female half of the couple (we females seem to have more of an affinity with animals than you males) refused to throw stones and told the dogs they needed to find a ball, so off they went only to return a few minutes later with a ball. Now she had no excuse and as she tired I took over her part in the game. The dogs loved us and the younger dog was kind to older by letting her reach the ball first. The older dog would bring the ball back and circle me in a clockwise direction and whilst standing to heel, drop the ball at my feet and we would begin a new game.
We left the dogs sitting on the bank, patiently waiting for the next mug and moved on to Montrose. The High street in Montrose is very wide, giving it a bright open feel with a lot of sky visible. The shops however, are much the same as in other towns. We noticed that the Church entrance was on the same level as the shops and we both commented on how unusual it seemed to have the Church open to the pavement. It seemed so close to pedestrians and dwarfed us. Having passed the Church we noticed a building with some iron railings across what appeared to be an archway and as you probably realise by now, I am a nosy person and had to investigate! These railings were preventing access to a mausoleum, it turned out that the Guildhall was built over the original graveyard to the church and rather than wreck the mausoleum some rooms of the Guildhall were built over it.
We didn’t get a good look at Montrose Basin, an area of 3 square miles of mud when the tide is out. Thousands of birds and geese feed here and it’s an important feeding ground. I’d like to think we can perhaps stop off here next Spring on our way to Orkney, but that’s for another day. Tomorrow is waiting for us to start yet another adventure here on the East coast.
posted by Marilyn | 29.9.06
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