Battered and windswept

When I promised some images of the sea in my last post I didn't have anything quite as wild as this in mind! The south -west coast of England has been taken quite a battering in the last week.

Chesil Beach Portland

Our pictures were taken this morning not at the height of the storm, but as you can see the waves were still huge as they crashed on to the shore. (We didn't go to close!)

Picture by Matthew Gordon

This incredible picture taken off the internet shows just how high the waves reached! Waves and pebbles breached the sea defences and homes were flooded. 

The beach road has been forced to shut at times as it too has flooded. The  Environment Agency were out in force on Sunday repairing the damage and moving the pebbles back again before the next storm appears.

Back in Weymouth the Preston Beach Wall has suffered a similar fate, the popular walk along the top of it was covered with pebbles too.

And in between the storms a moment of calm and beauty - such a contrast!

Further south in Devon, the wonderful railway track at Dawlish that we visited in my post Taking the train to the beach, has also suffered from the storms. Part of the railway was left hanging by a thread (click link to see pictures.) 

Dawlish railway March 2013

This railway line is a vital link to the West Country. South Devon and Cornwall will be without railway until the extensive damage is repaired. This track has suffered a similar fate in the past. In 1869 part of the sea wall and track was also washed away in a violent storm. As always I feel for all of those who are suffering the impact of the storms and whose homes have been damaged.

I hope you all not suffering from the worst of the weather. I saw that Australia is suffering from
extreme heat and bush fires. Let's hope this week coming treat us all more kindly! Thank you for your lovely comments and welcome to my new followers Ann @ StudioHyde, Koma, and Jenny at Tumble weeds.

Sarah x