Rock cakes

Last Thursday was still hot. We thought a further day baking on the beach was not the thing and so settled for baking up on Culver Down instead, starting off with lemon tart, sparkling water and coffee (BH) at the Culver Haven, presently up and running and looking to be doing reasonably well - at least in the season. Efficient lead barmaid.

Picnic on the Down, overlooking Sandown Bay. Lots of butterflies, grasshoppers (heard but not seen) and other interesting bugs. Various hawks, probably kestrels, some squawking pairs, some hovering over, some gliding along the edge of the cliff. Gulls, crows and skylarks, with one of these last being thoughtful enough to park on a  nearby post for long enough for me to catch him (or her) with the monocular.

Various signs from a local version of the Samaritans and at least two memorials. Clearly a place for jumpers, after the fashion of Beachy Head on the other island.

Having taken in enough sun and view, down to the zoo to park for a swim at Yaverland, enlivened towards the end of the proceedings by some crows gathering for non-existent crumbs. Unlike at Brading, where they seem to gather late afternoon and early evening for entirely social purposes.

After which we finally made it into the beach café for rock cakes. Good, but I thought would have been even better with a little less mixed peel.

Home to Tesco's version of gala pie with salad and boiled potatoes. Our nearest thing to a ready meal yet.

PS: high tide at Yaverland had moved around to around 1500. But one can swim most of the time, regardless.