Yesterday evening I had an hour or so before I was due to pick up my little jogging group. The nearby sand dunes, the Blanches Banques on Jersey’s western shoreline beckoned. They were shrouded in mist and I was quickly into a timeless zone, one that would have been recognised by the original Neolithic settlers of this place.
And, armed with pocket camera, I was soon lost in this amazing and living landscape. Click on pics to enlarge, and for captions.
Our ancestors left us these. Did they foresee 21c joggers admiring them?
The Blanches Banques has a pretty special eco-system, ever-changing, delicate, with many unique or rare species of plants and insects.
A bit of more modern history, and nature’s defiance.
Always worth a visit and you always spot something new. And yes, I just about made it out of there to meet my group!
Paul Kestell said:
Beautiful as always Roy…..keep an eye out for new independent writers group–writers cooperative starting soon in Ireland, I think you would qualify for membership inaugural meeting on Sunday, May 20th I will advise more after that.
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Roy McCarthy said:
Hi Paul, and thank you. Not sure my Cork credentials would qualify me for the group but happy to hear more. Have a good day.
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Carrie Rubin said:
What a gorgeous walk. Makes getting some exercise in all the more wonderful. Thanks for sharing it with us.
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Roy McCarthy said:
Thanks Carrie 🙂 I can get a little run in at the same time – it can be pretty tough on some of those slopes.
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chattykerry said:
I love to imagine our ancestors when I am in a historical place. Why did they really build stone circles?
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Roy McCarthy said:
Indeed these are mysteries we’re unlikely to unravel. But yes, it’s amazing to walk on the same ground, look at the same views and objects, as our forebears did thousands of years ago.
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Jill Weatherholt said:
Thanks for taking us along on your inspiring walk, Roy. You know I always love to see your countryside…even better with music…hint, hint! 🙂
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Roy McCarthy said:
Hi Jill and thank you. I might look into doing some musical slideshows again.
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Browsing the Atlas said:
It looks like a tranquil place to explore and appreciate. The mist would have drawn me there, too.
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Roy McCarthy said:
It’s amazing Julie, and it never seems to remain the same. A pity the dog walkers spoil it for others at times.
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Jane Fritz said:
I always love your posts that show us more of your special part of the world, Roy. Tranquility, beauty, and history. Thanks for sharing.
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Roy McCarthy said:
Thanks Jane – it’s an amazing area though of course small by the standards of your country’s vastness. But there’s something to wonder at every few steps.
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Andrea Stephenson said:
Looks like just the type of mysterious place I’d love to visit Roy!
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Roy McCarthy said:
You’d love it Andrea. Especially with the mist there’s an instant sort of connection to the past that is hard to find elsewhere.
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E R Kendrich said:
I always like to see nature defying the manmade and slowly taking over. It looks like a lovely place for a walk. It’s good to have the fine weather returning so we can get out and about walking again.
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Roy McCarthy said:
Before the war there was unrestricted development and the lower parts of the dunes were used indiscriminately, for rubbish tips etc. Fortunately there has been some good work in the planning and conservation arenas which have allowed this area, and others, to flourish naturally and to be enjoyed by everybody.
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roughwighting said:
I love this – you are a lucky man to be able to run with your ancestors amidst such beauty.
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Roy McCarthy said:
Thanks Pam. Yes I do appreciate what I have here – rather than the (many) things I don’t 🙂
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roughwighting said:
That’s the answer to happiness – appreciating the DO, not the don’t. ❤
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Britt Skrabanek said:
Nature’s defiance. Sounds like a strong title for your next novel. 😉
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Roy McCarthy said:
Hi Britt. That’s a great old tree isn’t it? And there are some fierce winter westerlies that have battered it for many years.
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candidkay said:
Love that you keep getting out there, Roy. I am so much saner and gentler when I get regular doses of beauty . . . and you seem to do that often.
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Roy McCarthy said:
Couldn’t agree more Kristine. It’s a perfect antidote for the stresses of modern life.
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