Saturday 25 August 2012

Feels like....


...autumn.



Yesterday it rained again, and cabin fever struck, so we went to Porlock Weir.



Which was all green, grey and pink.



The sun gleamed out for a moment, but that was all.


These little cottages will be reclaimed by the sea some day.



They flood when tides are particularly high, and are already equipped with automatic pumps in the downstairs floors, with kitchen cupboards on legs, work surfaces set higher than standard.

I talked once with a woman who lived in one of them, who told me that the loss of their homes was a possibility of which they were always aware, but that no one knew when it might happen, and could occur next year or in fifty years. 

Creating the type of massive, costly sea defences that might preserve the village would also ruin its identity utterly. Better to accept the existing concept of 'managed retreat' and know that one day Porlock Weir would be under the tides again.

Meantime, she felt only gratitude that she was able to live in such a beautiful setting. It was a privilege, she said.

A wonderful sentiment.

13 comments:

Danielle P. said...

Gosh yes, it's feeling like autumn here as well. Wearing flannel pajamas and flinging all the windows wide open first thing in the morning are just the beginning.

The woman you spoke to seems to have her priorities straight: glorious setting over material possessions. In such a beautiful place, I might come to agree!

Jen said...

So beautiful--I would love it there.

Frances said...

The 3rd photo is lovely. Is the cottage that looks as if it is on the beach ( on the left) lived in? What a beautiful place you are able to live near. 268

jabblog said...

No-one has managed to hold back the sea since Canute - and even he wasn't successful.
The rain is somewhat cheerless but it washes the air and fills the streams and ponds . . . rather too efficiently today with torrential downpours.

Noelle the dreamer said...

You have yet again found something special to share Rachel! Thank you!
To know what we have and truly appreciate it...simple wisdom yet often so little understood...until we loose everything! I think I would have loved to meet this person!
Hugs to all,

judy in ky said...

It is beautiful. We must live with nature whether we want to or not.

Rattling On said...

It has felt like autumn here most of the time since winter finished in around May...Heating back on in the evenings and torrential thunderstorms again. But at least the good telly programmes are starting again!
There have been houses round here that disappear down long-forgotten mine shafts. Must be a dreadful experience.

Gwen Buchanan said...

I'm loving your seaside images and so interesting to hear how the locals have adapted...It would be hard to leave that beauty.

mountainear said...

Autumnal indeed - although the fact that we fly off in search of sunshine soon must indicate the arrival of an Indian summer?

SmitoniusAndSonata said...

Sssssh !

Annie (Lady M) x said...

Those pictures are truly gorgeous. I do hope that the cottages manage to escape the ravages of the sea!

Anonymous said...

Oh please take me with you the next time you go - it is ages since I was last there.

hasenschneck said...

We were at Porlock Weir last weekend and crawling with people it was. I've never seen it like that before even though I've been two or three times.

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