Dec 31st The last one Barassie gloomy day

Today is the last day of the year and it is the final entry for this blog. The blog began with a weather snap looking out to sea from Barassie with Arran in the background. It only seemed appropriate that the final one should be a similar shot. After all the good weather this afternoon has been a wet, blustery afternoon with some bursts of light. Good bye 2016 and a Happy New Year to all for 2017.

Grey gloomy view from Barassie

Dec 23rd Storm Barbara approaching

So far we have missed the new Storm Barbara but I suspect we are going to be hit soon. The clouds are building up over Arran, lookout. In Troon we live in a micro climate where the surrounding countryside gets a lot more rain than we do but not this time.

Storm Barbara approaching

Dec 19th What a sunset tonight

Another day where the afternoon was so mild for this time of year despite the clear sky. I suspected I would get a good sunset so walked along the beach to take advantage and I was not disappointed. The west coast is as good as it gets.

Barassie sunset

Dec 8th Pink sunset on beach

There was a glorious finish to the day, not our familiar radiant red sunset of which we have had a few recently, but a fading light with a pink glow, rather nice.

Pink Barassie beach

Dec 5th On a day like this

Another cracking day so I walked the beach to Irvine for some shopping. On the way back it was warming up and as I took in the view I realised I was the only person on the beach. Glorious light, the tide lapping gently, no voices, no dogs barking. On a day like this I enjoy living here.

Irvine Bay

Nov 16th Death on the beach

Sadly when out walking our beach I came across this dead seal pup. From its size it is fairly newborn, probably caught out in last weeks storms and drowned or starved, if separated from its mother. Just like us not all get a long life, still sad.

Seal pup

Oct 30th Hot, hot, hot October

I cannot remember heat like this at this time of the year. Went a walk along the beach today and was quickly stripping off and indeed could have worn shorts. It was as hot today as many a summer's day and it is the 30th October. The forecast in 2 days is a total change, an Arctic blast of winter on the doorstep, jumper back on!!

Hot October

Sep 27th I think I'm going to get wet

Autumn has firmly arrived with a constant blast of stormy conditions. I thought that the squalls had passed for the day, the BBC weather app said that they had, so I went for a walk along the beach. As I turned to return home this undoubtedly full of rain cloud was coming this blown on the southern winds. Hood up, the joys.

Raincloud Barassie beach

Sep 22nd The jellies are back

It is now Autumn and the jellyfish arriving on Barassie beach are much larger than the early summer arrivals. The colours are much more intense as well.

Jellyfish

Sep 20th Razorclams

I came across this shell on Barassie beach, a razorclam. Once upon a time they were prolific on the beach but the came along some bad guys with a new fishing method whereby they electrified the seabed, forcing the clams up, easy pickings for a diver. After a year or so very few clam shells and the boats have gone as well!!

Razorclam shell

Aug 29th Empty beach

It seems like summer is just about over and we are back to normal. Grey skies and windy conditions, is that not what we have had all summer. Still no sun beach is deserted again.

Empty beach

Aug 2nd Unusual take off position

I was walking along Barassie beach today taking the occasional snap of the shoreline birds when I caught this black headed gull just as it was about to take off, pleased with that one.

Black headed gull

Jun 19th Man up mast

This yacht was anchored out in Barassie Bay just off the north shore. I took a snap via the telephoto lens on my pocket camera. Always difficult to be sure what you have snapped. It was only when I loaded the snaps onto the PC I spotted the sailor climbing the mast. You can see him on the front mast. I could not see this with the naked eye. Nice boat.

Man on mast

Jun 18th Lugworms abound

At low tide the beach is carpeted with these familiar coiled lugworm casts. There are plenty of casts around but the worms are rarely seen but are dug up by anglers for bait. The population here must be pretty healthy. The worms can reach 9 inches in size a good feast for a salmon or sea trout.

Lugworm casts

Jun 13th Green road to the sea

It is only at low tide that this stretch of concrete is exposed and today it looked attractive with its coat of fresh green seaweed and algae.

Jun 11th Jellies are back

The tide has gone out to reveal the stranded jellyfish. There are only 6 species common in the UK and I believe that this is a Moon jellyfish. Amazing creatures and great patterns, all of which are different on each fish.

Moon Jellyfish

May 30th Barassie beach, blue skies and a saltire in the sky

Another glorious day and we took a walk along the beach, deserted as you can see but up in the blue skies a saltire, a good omen.

May 27th Arran has disappeared, sun NOT rain

Out for our walk along the beach today and Arran has disappeared. For once this year it is the sun haze that is the culprit and not the rain.

May 22nd Tides out

I don't run much these days but went out for an early morning jog today and the beach was deserted, no dog walkers, highlighted even more by low tide exposing more beach.