Raven's Tongue

Spurn Point is one of the most striking features of Britain's coastline, stretching for three and a half miles across the Humber Estuary.

This curving spit is only 50 metres wide in places, making it look like an elongated tongue. The spit is a dynamic feature which forms and reforms over hundreds of years. An old Viking name for the spit was 'Hrafn's Eyr' or Ravnenser, meaning 'Raven's Tongue'

Spurn is made up of a series of sand and shingle banks held together by Marram grass and Seabuckthorn.

There is a series of sea defence works built by the Victorians and maintained by the Ministry of Defence, til they sold Spurn to the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust in the 1950s. The lighthouse was built in 1895 and made redundant in 1985.

Spurn's environment is very fragile and is open to the ravages of the North Sea. It is an important wildlife haven for migrant birds, lizards, roe deer and numerous species of insects.

Before the War Department (now MOD) constructed the road along the peninsula, the only 'vehicular' access to the Point was by a wind powered railway trolley with a sail. The braking system was unusual in that there wasn't one! Legend has it that the local vicar was riding on the trolley and he was unprepared when the operator threw a baulk of timber onto the line in front to stop it. There reverend gentleman was also flung off!

Thanks for all the C&Cs on 'Carousel'.

Best wishes,
Philip

Brand:	Panasonic
Camera:	Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ45
Recording media:	JPEG (digital)
Date Taken:	28 Aug 2012 - 2:25 PM
Focal Length:	8.1mm
Lens Max Aperture:	f/2.8
Aperture:	f/5.6
Shutter Speed:	1/500sec
Exposure Comp:	0.0
ISO:	80
Exposure Mode:	Landscape
Metering Mode:	Multi-segment
Flash:	Off, Did not fire
White Balance:	Auto

Title:	Raven's Tongue
Username:	Philip_H
Uploaded:	11 Oct 2012 - 6:50 PM
Tags:	Architecture, Groynes, Humber, Landscape / travel, Lighthouse, Marram grass, Sand, Sea defences, Shingle, Spit, Spurn point
Votes:	23