Yet again, despite the fact that much of England is supposedly suffering from a drought right now, the British weather has had its own ideas and the last 24 hours have seen us buffeted by gale force winds and soaked in crazy quantities of rain. Luckily I’ve spent most of today safely ensconced in a cosy, dry church hall in Exeter, working with young recorder players. However, on my journey home this afternoon I decided to stop off in Lyme Regis in search of a dramatic shot of the Cobb and a fish and chips dinner. My first wish was granted and this iconic landmark, made famous in John Fowles book, The French Lieutenant’s Woman and its subsequent film adaption, was looking very windswept, with waves crashing against its stonework. Normally I would have spent more time seeking out the best angle but it was so cold, wet and windy (far more so than when I visited the town in January!) and I was far from suitably dressed that I snapped a few shots and hastily legged it back to the car. Sadly my second wish was a complete non-starter. Despite the fact that Lyme must now be heading into holiday season every fish and chip emporium was firmly shut so I continued my way home with a rumbling tummy!

Dramatic shot and excellent narrative, Helen. Wish I had your polish as a writer! danrav · 2012-04-29: 18:36

ahh shame..I had a trip to Anstruther ,East neuk of Fife,a couple of weeks ago. It has a famous fish and chip shop..was queued out the door..so we went to another and it was lovely too. This post just reminded me to look out The French Lieutenant’s Woman and watch it again. Brilliant shot! elizzi · 2012-04-29: 19:19

Beautiful capture...looks like it could over the top at any second and get quite nasty. karmankwarner · 2012-04-29: 19:31

You really caught the wrath of the ocean here. Sorry you didn't get your fish & chips :( lukesmom · 2012-04-29: 21:40

Black and white is perfect for this mood, Helen! lgnelson · 2012-04-29: 22:04

Great! Shaparak · 2012-04-30: 00:45

Very stormy, very dramatic! I wonder if they will lift the hosepipe ban, now that half of Southern England has turned into a quagmire... if it's any consolation Flitwick fish & chippy were open last night, and they do the best chips ever! but I guess Bedfordshire would have been quite a detour! Annbramwell · 2012-04-30: 02:02

A superb B&W and if it can console you, torrent rains and wind of storm beat down on my region yesterday... ! josy63 · 2012-04-30: 02:12

Great tones and textures! Wonderful moody and dramatic image, Helen! lookagain · 2012-04-30: 07:28

Oh I love it..great shot of the wave crashing..thanks for braving the cold weather for it Helen! NellyBly · 2012-04-30: 15:31

Tagged: bw monochrome waves sea storm landscape seascape lymeregis cobb