The Farne Islands are famous for their wildlife, providing a secluded breeding ground for puffins, seals, and a host of migratory birds that come here to enjoy the nutritious goodies found in the surrounding mudflats. A number of keen birdwatchers and friends had recommended we stop on the way, so luck was on our side when yesterday the wind died just outside Longstone Lighthouse at the tip of the Farne Islands.
The nearest anchorage was tucked in by Holy Island, even as we arrived we could see the bay was full of seals. They seemed to swim in groups of about 4, each following one another in a single file line. Their heads, popping up to breath before diving underwater their backs bobbing above the surface on their way down. As this head/back movement rippled through the line it almost looked like a sea serpent inching its way across the bay. Last autumn during the breeding season they counted 2,295 new pups making the population in this area about 8,000 grey seals. It’s no wonder every time you looked out the window you could see them, usually having a curious look at you looking at them.
There wasn’t a breath of wind, so we spend the day exploring Holy Island, first heading up to Lindisfarne Castle with it’s magnificent views out over the estuary. Even the toilets had this view, with special slotted windows to look out. The thing that caught our imagination the most however, were the fishing sheds on the beach. They looked like overturned wooden boats with one end having been cut off to make a door. They’d then added weather proofing on what would have been the hull, but was now the roof to stop the rain from getting in. On one, they’d even added a sky light. These were used to store things like fishing nets, spare tackle, etc. We all decided they’d make idyllic beach cottages, could imagine them being rented in somewhere like Cornwall or the south coast, with a set of deck chairs out front and a kettle inside.
Punt Gunning
This unique fieldsport has been going for over two centuries, and has its roots in the fact that the foreshore was often the property of landowners, while birds shot from a boat belonged to the shooter. The sport peaked in the 1930s, with the Depression at its height but London’s best restaurants maintaining their insatiable appetite for wildfowl.
The gun, which was often over eight feet long, looks like a commically large version of a normal hunting rifle, but with a single barrel instead of a double. It would be mounted on a small boat, a punt, giving the sport it’s name, which could be maneuvered quietly into place. Firing over a pound of ammunition at once, the gun could kill 50 waterfowl with one shot, and leave their bodies floating on the surface for the hunters to collect. The guns were so powerful that when fired, the boat would actually be blown back several feet.Men that are suffering from impotence issue tend to isolate themselves from their own relationships and withdraw from soft generic viagra their partners. Some women are with strongly conservative viagra shops in india ideas that sex is just their obligations which had to do, and with a negative, passive attitude. The primary reason buy uk viagra http://abacojet.com/consulting-services/maintenance-consulting/ that so many brands of the same medication you can surely find them in cheaper prices from the generic online pharmacy stores saving you a lot on medical expenses and at the same time, they promote worthwhile offers for this physician. Though there are many medication available to treat various types cialis wholesale of wellbeing issues.
The large bay, towards the lindesfarne causeway attracks various kinds of migratory birds, making it a perfect spot for this. Assuming you don’t get disturbed by a curious seal.
As part of the Golden Jubilee in 2012, there was a 21-Punt Gun Salute
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