Luxury beliefs

We're increasingly told via the media that we're a society wracked with anxiety brought about by our existential climate crisis and accompanying breakdown. I'm sure that many experience anxiety, and that many find themselves on a sliding scale of concern, then there's magnitudes more for who, for the most part, pay lip service to the virtuous thing to say. Cynical, moi? Well, riddle me this, 52% of Britons will be taking a holiday this year, out of which a staggering 42% intend to travel internationally.  You know, I got to thinking if you were to represent those who claim to be anxious/worried about the climate and those holidaying abroad in a Venn diagram I'd wager a good majority would appear in the overlapping group. Is that luxury beliefs or cognitive dissonance? Don't misunderstand me, I'm not singling people out, it's just they're a really good example of 'us' as a whole; we're the Achilles' heel(s) of climate mitigation, as it's easy to support agendas and policies in abstract, although support often melts away when our virtuous beliefs collide with the realities of necessity or desire. Explains where all the people have been. It's been noticeable that even on good days the forest and beach have been far emptier than you'd normally expect them to be, the roads too; it being summer and all. That, and 48% of the population won't be taking a holiday; and I imagine that if we added this group to our Venn diagram they'd neither be holidaying nor putting climate change high on their list of concerns (not saying it's not there); sea levels rising 'over there' mean little to those already struggling to keep their heads above water over here. Ah, the times they aren't a-changin' (no it a good way at least), mostly because we ain't learnin', eh. It's no wonder we're so far away from genuine systemic change. 

The beach

We've neglected the coast of late, so our walk this morning was to and along the beach. Beautiful morning, and hardly a soul about.

Gravelly rumble

 

I was surprised when we reached the cliff top this morning to see that beyond the last few meters the sea was near still, quite the contrast to what I expected; you could hear the gravelly rumble of the waves rushing the beach from the common, a mile or so away. The wind must've been blowing in the right direction or something.

Blase

 

We live with beauty on our doorstep, still it's so easy to become blasé about your surroundings isn't it, taking them for granted and failing to appreciate their qualities; familiarity breeds complacency/contempt maybe? I sometimes find myself looking to walk somewhere, anywhere, else except on my doorstep; and when I get like that I reach for a specific memory to remind me. Years ago whilst chatting in a post Office in Cornwall, the local I was conversing with on discovering where we'd come from began to wax lyrical about their holidays to Highcliffe and how they love the place, listing numerous positive points; and it struck me that they were the same enthusiastic tones I'd use waxing lyrically about our much loved trips to Cornwall; made me look at the many blessings of our home roam differently, appreciatively.  Sometimes I still need reminding.

Highcliffe

We were up and out early this morning, so there were few folk about, leaving us the beach to walk by ourselves...we did 9.3 miles today. Before descending to the sands we paused, even though I pass this way with some regularity, I was still struck by the view... especially on a beautiful morning like this. Lovely.

Hidden away

Hidden away in the Streamer Point nature reserve, just a few meters back from the cliff edge, are two ornamental ponds...I'd imagine they were once part of Highcliffe Castle's gardens. For years these ponds languished neglected, although through the work from volunteers they're slowly being brought back to life. Tranquil nature oases like these are essential to both wildlife and us alike.

The game

Why do we bother? Well, I know why we bother. Still. Why do we bother? Every year we play this game with nature, through the winter her elements magic the beach away and in spring we replace it with truck loads of sand and aggregates from... somewhere or other. And the wheel turns. And the game goes on. Do we think we're going to eventually win, that one day nature will give up?  She wont.

Steamer Point

We wandered along Highcliffe beach this morning, amongst the dunes that are developing below Steamer Point. You'd imagine that the name Steamer Point may refer to a location you'd catch a steamer from. Well, nearly. There once was a Streamer here, although it wasn't going anywhere...it had reached it's final destination. When the nearby Highcliffe Castle was being built, a steamer was beached and then hauled aways inland where it was wedged in place between two large trees and used as the site office. Afterwards it remained as a beach house until around 1900.  Later during the war Steamer Point was home to a secret military establishment researching radar and communications, post war SRDE developed Britain's first satellite communications system... locally famous for it's distinctive white golf ball like dome which housed a satellite dish. Today although the steamer's long gone (the military too) the name remains, and the site is now a wildlife reserve with a section of undeveloped beach below it. Nice spot. Historically the premier location for beach parties...before the banning of fun.

Solitude

The beach was ours this morning.

Nice light

There was a nice light today.

Winter beach

Considering the coast is at the end of the road, 10 minutes walk away, we don't walk there as much as you'd imagine. We should really, it's lovely walking, with great views. It's funny how you can overlook what's right under your nose.