Saturday 14th June 2025 - Great Turnout, Thunder Storm and Drop in Beach Level

After two consecutive Thursdays of ‘iffy’ weather which dampened the weekly car boot sales, this Thursday saw a great turnout of sellers.  There are quite a few, which could be termed as regulars, who turn up each week, and adding to the variety, those who are doing a on off sale.  It’s a great place to find a bargain.  This week, my bargain buy was an astilbe for £3.50.  This has replaced an ailing tall dianthus in our garden.

A definite feel of summer over the last few days.  It was very warm yesterday, with the thermometer in our bedroom reaching 30°C.  Fortunately, it cooled in the evening so no problems sleeping, that was, until the forecast thunder storm reached us, in the early hours of the morning.  From our bed, I watched the lightning over the sea, waiting for the thunder claps which followed each flash.  Our cat Sid was out and as he is the first pet we’ve had who has ever shown any fear of thunder, I was concerned as to how he was coping.  The storm was accompanied by rain which fortunately was not heavy enough to flatten plants but plenty to give our garden a good watering.  Sid came in later; his back was damp, presumably from where he had passed under bushes or the like on his way home.  I was relieved he must have found somewhere to shelter and had not returned soaked.

This morning, I took a photo of NNDC’s latest poster on the cliff top (see below) covering the issues we are facing here in Overstrand, regarding the coastline.  I found it interesting to read the section, titled Sea Defences, covering the reason for beach level lowering.  I have a different understanding - it has been the continued dredging out at sea which has resulted in the drop in the beach level.  The drop isn’t something which has happened ‘overnight’.  If you look at Francis Friths website you can see how much higher the beach level was in the 1950’s and 1960’s.  At that time the beach was sufficiently high for the fishing boats to be left on the sands during the season; something that cannot be done today.  The following referenced photos, show the boats on the beach, on Frances Frith’s website - 030170, 031104, 031121, 031119 and 031122.  This leaves me with the question, is the drop in the beach level due to the slumps or dredging or a combination of both?