Picture of the Day – 1

39 Replies

Picture of the Day - 1

Anybody who writes blogs that include a lot of pictures will know only too well how time-consuming it can be, and so I thought I’d try introducing a new feature called Picture of the Day. The idea is to allow myself more time to rummage through a large backlog of photos that need sorting out while still finding an opportunity to include a short post in between my usual ones. I won’t be posting a pic every day, but each one will be accompanied by a short bit of information that will eventually lead to where it is. Obviously, I’m not sure how this is going to pan out, and so it would be helpful if you could please let me know your thoughts.

The format for each picture will follow the same as the one here, where I will gradually add clues in the information in order to give those of you who want to try and guess where it is can play along. I’ll reveal the location at the end.

I’m going to kick off with a fairly easy one for any English people who are taking a look. The white cliffs are a bit of a giveaway but they’re not those of that famous wartime song because anyone who knows this part of the country will tell you that there are a lot of chalk cliffs along the south coast. This cliff though at 531ft above sea level is the highest chalk sea cliff in Britain, and the nearest town, which is just a 3 mile walk away, is popular with older residents and holidaymakers.

It’s not recommended to go for a walk along these cliffs though if you’re feeling a bit down because it’s a well-known suicide spot, and according to the Wall Street Journal, is the third most common suicide spot in the world, and the reason why there is a chaplaincy team that constantly patrol the area.

One person’s ashes that are scattered here though were requested by the man himself – the revolutionary socialist and close friend of Karl Marx – Friedrich Engels.

If you haven’t guessed yet where the location is, I can tell you that its name comes from the French word Beaucheif meaning ‘Beautiful Headland’.

Some useless Information – Returning to my car from the headland, a beat-up old car came and parked right next to me, and so I offered them my ticket which still had some time left on it. I didn’t recognise him at first, but the driver turned out to be Norman Bowler, the English actor known for playing Chief Inspector Harry Hawkins in Softly Softly and Frank Tate in Emmerdale. He thanked me for my generosity but on closer inspection realised there was only 10 minutes left on the ticket, just enough time to get to the cliff edge. Thankfully he saw the funny side of it and went and bought his own ticket.

Location – Beachy Head, near Eastbourne, East Sussex, England

Date photograph taken –  June 2009

POSTED – AUGUST 2024

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Originally posted 2024-08-13 14:31:25.

39 thoughts on “Picture of the Day – 1”

  1. restlessjo

    It’s a lovely shot, Malc. I know very little of the south coast, though we have friends who live part of the year in Bognor Regis. There are some beautiful locations nearby. One day I should take them up on their invitation to visit.

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    1. Easymalc Post author

      Thanks Jo. The south coast has attracted a lot of people over the years who come here to retire which means it’s quite built up in places., but there are other reasons to come here apart from the relatively mild weather, and if you get the chance to visit your friends then you’ll find plenty of places to visit as well.

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  2. Alli Templeton

    Oh, that’s annoying, I posted a comment on this a couple of days ago but I’ve just discovered it didn’t take. Still, try again and hope for the best! This is a great idea for a series of posts, as it gives us a chance to enjoy your exemplary photography more often with a brief recognition quiz at the same time. I’ll look forward to more (in fact, I’m just about to pop over to the second Pic of the Day). 🙂

    I haven’t been to this particular bit of coast before, so didn’t recognise it until you mentioned the suicide rate. Not sure what that says about me! Love the story about the parking ticket though. 😀

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    1. Easymalc Post author

      I saw that you liked the post Alli and did wonder why you didn’t comment, but all’s well that ends well now that it appears. Thanks as always my lovely for your continued support.

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      1. Alli Templeton

        You’re so welcome, my BBF (best blogging friend). 🙂 Just sorry the comment didn’t take the first time. Your posts are always a pleasure. 🙂

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        1. Easymalc Post author

          Ah! Thank you Alli. I’m glad you told me what BBF meant as my mind was conjuring up all sorts of bad thoughts 😀

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    1. Easymalc Post author

      Thanks for the endorsement, but perhaps a location for suicide wan’t the best choice to start with. That said, it was good to see you participate and it won’t be too long for the next one.

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  4. Toonsarah

    A great idea for a shorter post! I recognised the location immediately, thanks to frequent visits as a child to an aunt and uncle who lived in Eastbourne, but I didn’t know the origin of the name until now. I always just assumed it was named for a nearby beach! So thank you for today’s snippet of learning 🙂

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    1. Easymalc Post author

      Thanks for playing along Suzanne. It’s not the Dorset coast although I can see why you might have thought that. The answer is Beachy Head which can be found at the end of the text and on the map

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        1. Easymalc Post author

          It’s best not to read it all before you have a guess anyway Suzanne. I’m always up early 😊

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  9. gabychops

    Thank you, Malc, for the brilliant new idea, as always, with interesting details and the anecdote! What’s not to like? Although the photo hasn’t got your favorite bridge, any bridge, it has got the symbolic lighthouse, no doubt connected with all those lost souls who recognized the terrible mistake they had made and with the help of the light from the lighthouse are making their way back home, in spirit, of course. This is the effect your writing has on me, Malc, I am writing a story inspired by your picture and your post! I can hardly wait for the next one!

    Joanna

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    1. Easymalc Post author

      That’s great to hear Joanna. Lighthouses are another passion of mine as well as bridges – and then there are castles, cathedrals, monuments….. At least I’ll be able to post things like this more often and use pics that might not have seen the light of day otherwise.

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        1. Easymalc Post author

          I’m not really Joanna, but if you think so, that’s made my day. Thank you my precious, and you know what I think of your writing and dedication to animals, wildlife, nature and all things spiritual. You’re my taliswoman if there’s such a word 🙏🤗

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    1. Easymalc Post author

      Good guess Pat – but wrong! I gave a clue when I said it wasn’t the location of the famous war song (by Vera Lyn). Thanks for playing along 🙏🙂

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      1. Eunice

        Easy-peasy Malc, I guessed it straight away. I went there with my parents when I was around 8 years old, needless to say I wasn’t allowed anywhere near the edge. I remember Norman Bowler in Softly Softly, the follow-on to Z-Cars. Presumably you took the photo from a boat rather than jump off the top 😉😀

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        1. Easymalc Post author

          I met Norman Bowler when he was in Softly Softly. He wouldn’t remember me of course because I was only a young lad and paid half a crown for running up the 99 steps near where I lived – and you’re right, I was in a boat again 😊

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