Tuesday 24 August 2010

ABC Wednesday - F




From the window of our first floor flat we can see the island of Flat Holm in the Bristol Channel. On a clear day it is easily recognisable though too far away for me to get a reasonable photograph, those following are from the internet, and we always see the light from the lighthouse as soon as it is dark.

Here is a little of it's history and you can read more about it here.

Since the Dark Ages, Flat Holm has been a retreat for monks and since then has acted as a sanctuary for Vikings, Anglo-Saxons, silver miners, smugglers and cholera victims. Fortified in Victorian times and again in World War II it is perhaps most famous for receiving the first ever radio message across water by Marconi in 1897.

Flat Holm is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest and Local Nature Reserve. The Project conserves the Island's natural and cultural features, from maritime grassland to Victorian barracks, from seabird colonies to wartime bunkers.






This is the foghorn station on the island


Thanks to Mrs Denise Nesbitt and her team who host ABC Wednesday. For further looks at the letter F, please click here.

21 comments:

Ray said...

Some foghorn, Anne.

Ray

Cezar and Léia said...

Hello sweet Anne
I think your pictures are FFFantastic!You did a great job with your camera and it's a nice story!
It's the first time that I'm participating for this meme, it's so cool!
Hugs from Léia - Bonjour Luxembourg

and little Luna is here purring and send you good energies!
:)

Sylvia K said...

That is some foghorn indeed! What an interesting post for the F Day, Anne! Hope your week is going well! Enjoy!

Vinay Leo R. said...

good Lord, what a foghorn.. must be thick fog then! :)

My ABCW Post

Leslie: said...

Did you get a chance to go over there? And I agree with the others that that is SOME FOGHORN!

Hildred said...

How very interesting Anne, - I had never heard of Flat Holm and what an ancient history it has. Thank you for a great post.

joo said...

It's such a fantastic post Anne, and I know what place i
will visit on my next stay in UK!!!
Hugs:)

Mara said...

Why did I always think you were overlooking the North Sea? Even when you told us about the stunning sunsets you saw? And me knowing the sun sets in the west and rises in the east? And you probably mentioned the Bristol Channel before as well and I know that's on the west side.

*Sigh*

Great F by the way...

Gigi Ann said...

That is a FOG HORN! It looks like a small island, I like the lighthouse also. Great choice for F day.

Maggie May said...

Thanks for all the information about Flat Holm. I see it so often out in the Bristol Channel, together with its twin Steep Holm. I wonder if anyone lives on either of them? It would appear not..... in this modern age. I wouldn't fancy it?
I will look up the link next as some of my questions might be answered.
Brilliant post.
Maggie X

Nuts in May

photowannabe said...

My goodness, that's some fog horn. The sound must be defening.
Very interesting post.

Carol said...

I would love to hear that foghorn! Very interesting info on the island of Flat Holm.

Annelie said...

Wow! I didn´t know they were so big!

Annelie E
ABC Wednesday team

Roger Owen Green said...

I love the FIDELITY to nature, well except the likely noise pollution!
On behalf of ABC Wednesday team, thank you! - ROG

Julie said...

Ooo how ignorant of me - I did not even know of the existence of the island of Flat Holm. I do like its name. What is it like to live in the Channel? I would image wet and windy, but that does have its charm. I guess you try to go somewhere tropical and sunny for your holidays.

jabblog said...

Intriquing island. The SSI is probably better preserved being situated on an island. We have three within easy reach and sadly not all visitors respect their importance.

Tumblewords: said...

Sometimes I think it would be perfect to stay a while in a monastery - they seem to have the best locations! Beautiful!

Wendy said...

Every time I look at your blog header I get hungry. I had some ancestors who were Vikings so really liked this post! :)

DeniseinVA said...

Lovely post Anne and some very interesting history too. Thanks for stopping by.

Wanda said...

What a lovely post.. I can hear the foghorn... love that sound.

Anonymous said...

It sounds like an amazing place. I can just imagine all the historical artifacts that were found there from previous inhabitants!