So the year is coming to a close and I have almost gone full circle with my photography locations. The last adventure I have had with my camera in 2016, is almost where this year began, Chemical Beach at Seaham, County Durham. Yesterdays outing to Dunstanburgh took me to the so called Death Rocks and today I had to make my way over their cousins to get on to the beach. Huge angular man made granite boulders attempt to block the way for anyone wanting to make the most of this fascinating beach.The rewards can be great but there is an element of risk involved. Firstly a slippery, muddy slope must be navigated. Its well trodden but you can see the slip marks from the boots of other intrepid explorers and you can almost still here the harsh words uttered by them! A word of warning; be sure to keep your precious camera safely tucked away in your bag, until you are at your chosen viewpoint on the beach. Then its the boulders themselves. Over the years a trampled path, obviously made by mountain goats, gives some sense of the best direction to go forward but this soon ends and only muddy marks on the grey angular boulders, guide the way. The safest way over, is to get down on your backside and shimmy across the most challenging parts. Not a place for those who prefer slipper friendly locations.
Rounded rocks like this make great foreground.
I’m glad to say I made it to the beach, only slipping once on the muddy bank. The beach is predominantly made of gravel and rocks with the evidence of its industrial past in the form of random concrete blocks and wooden posts. A huge rock pinnacle dominates the middle of the beach and makes for a good subject
One of the only sandy patches on the beach look almost volcanic.
In my opinion its best to go when the tide is on its way out as it would be far too easy to get too engrossed in the photo side of things only to find yourself embarrassingly cut off from the escape route or soaked by a rouge wave so plan your visit wisely.
The best time to go is as the tide is retreating.
As the tide retreats, it reveals some interesting structures including a well photographed set of old cast iron waggon wheels, which look great as the waves crash around them in the morning light.
At the south end of the beach you will apparently find a number of caves that give access to the next cove called Blast Beach, however this is only accessible at low tide. I say apparently because as this is only my second time to the location I have yet to explore them.
One for next year maybe.
At the south end of the beach you will apparently find a number of caves that give access to the next cove called Blast Beach, however this is only accessible at low tide. I say apparently because as this is only my second time to the location I have yet to explore them.
One for next year maybe.
The famous waggon wheels of Chemical Beach.