25/05/18

Saro's Gyda
Derrick Thorrington
Mon 11 Jun 2018 16:33
Ouessant
It was a rather misty morning with a chill in the air but with sunshine lurking behind the mist. We set off for a walk around the northern, most rugged half of the island stopping off at the boulangerie on the way to buy the obligatory baguette. We had a super walk admiring four of the six lighthouses lining the coast. There were useful information boards explaining the various devices, employe over the years, to warn ships of the many outlying jagged reefs and rocks. We particularly liked the underwater bell which used a sonar wave that was picked up by particular sensors on the sides of the ships and, best of all, the horse powered foghorn with it's own special building housing a contraption to which the horses where tethered so that they could turn a wheel to activate the foghorn. This seemed a good idea in principle but, as the horses roamed free over the island, it proved rather difficult to find them when it was foggy!
The mist came and went throughout the day. The last lighthouse, and the turning point to head back was Le Stiff, perched high in the mist with the control tower of the Ouessant TSS (Traffic Separation Scheme) literaaly towering above it. Rather atmospheric we thought.
The scenery was virtually devoid of trees, consisting mainly of short grass and vast granite outcrops, carved into interesting shapes by the wind and sea. Sea pinks were abundant and there was plenty of bird life. We were pleased to see choughs and also to identify red backed shrikes.
 
The lighthouse is in the distance with two derelict electicity pylons leading to it
 
 
Before lunch (I think that he has nibbled the top!)
 
Le Stiff dominated by the TSS tower behind