A visit to Spurn Point, East Yorkshire, UK

A fresh sense of adventure washed over me yesterday (31st May 2010). Having lived in the Humberside area for almost 35 years, I felt it about time to pay my first visit to Spurn Point, a narrow peninsula, dividing the Humber Estuary from the North Sea.

(Photo at: http://www.humber.com)

Driving the 45 miles to the Spurn Point gate-house was the easy bit … then followed one of those crazy decisions to inflict pain on one’s self, by committing to a further 3.5 mile walk to the Spurn. But what incredible views:

– bird life (including an oyster-catcher in full flight, and running on the sand)

– caterpillars by the hundred about to enter their metamorphosis into moth or butterfly.

– the route is well vegetated with marram grass and sea buckthorn

At some points the distance between ocean and estuary narrows to around 50 metres (photo: looking south)

A striking feature is the black and white lighthouse (pictured) near the end of the Point, unfortunately closed on 31st October 1986

Spurn’s environment is very fragile and open to the ravages of the North Sea.

Fossil hunting is popular with an abundance of fossils to be found amongst the pebbles on the beach.

It is difficult, even with the overcast conditions, and a rather sore bunion (from 7 miles of walking) not to fall in love with the place …and I’ll be back before another 35 years transpire, that’s for sure !!

www.spurnpoint.com