Knightstone and Steep Holm

The Bristol Channel between England and South Wales has a number of small, rocky islands. Today's photograph shows Knightstone and, in the distance, Steep Holm. The former is now attached to Weston-super-Mare by a permanent causeway rather than the original shingle bank. Steep Holm is today a bird reserve with no permanent human residents but has been at various times a place for sportsmen, a defensive site with cannons, and part of a chain of fortified sites designed to impede invasion.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Nikon D5300

Salt-water rusted door

On a walk around Knightstone Island, Weston-super-Mare, we came upon a metal door that must have been regularly lashed by waves and spray for years. The builders had obviously known that the door would be subject to extreme conditions and therefore selected metal for its construction. They must also have known that salt-water corrosion leading to replacement was inevitable and they will have reckoned on a reasonable life-span numbering years for the door. What they probably didn't do is predict that as it started to succumb to the environment it would develop beautiful complementary colours, textures and shapes.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Nikon D5300

Knightstone Island, Weston-super-Mare

Knightstone Island was originally connected to the mainland at Weston-super-Mare by a natural pebble ridge that was submerged at high tide. in 1824 the owner built a causeway above high tide and a low pier for boats. In subsequent decades successive owners built hotels, swimming baths, a theatre and other buildings on the island. The whole development struggled in the second half of the twentieth century. The main Pavilion closed and plans for leisure developments came to naught. However, in 2006-7 the whole island was redeveloped, old buildings were refurbished and many flats were built to complement the commercial properties. Today it is an asset to the town.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Olympus OMD E-M10