Piel Castle

Piel Castle seen across Morecambe Bay from Humphrey Head, the finger of limestone that projects into the Bay on its northern side. The castle sits on Piel Island which lies in Piel Channel, the entrance to the deep water harbour of Barrow-in-Furness. The castle was originally built by Furness Abbey to help protect its interests on Furness and the Isle of Man. The wind turbines are further out to sea, and are prominent features on a clear day from any part of the Bay.

We were on Humphrey Head to look for a rare plant, Goldilocks Aster, that twenty years ago was confined to one small ledge with a few flowering spikes. We had photographs of the ledge, and abseiled down to the precise spot, but alas, the Goldilocks is gone, now presumed extinct in Cumbria (and only found in a small handful of coastal limestone sites elsewhere in Britain). So, not such good news, but on the positive side, it was great to escape from the office for a couple of hours and do some botanising.

ps A year ago, leaping salmon in the River Kent - reminds me I need to go and see them soon.

pps In case anyone is wondering, I shall be away for ten days or so, and will not be blipping. I may backblip a few days when I return.