Charmouth beach in January 2012

Just because it's a dull day, doesn't mean it's an excuse not to get some exercise outside.

The last time we went to Charmouth beach was way back in the Summer last year, a week before we had Freya. We had taken Jake fossil hunting, one of our favourite pastimes. Where better to take our eight year old grandson. Sand, sea and what ever history he could find under his feet. He loves dinosaurs
The Jurassic Coast line stretches as far as your eye can see from this point on the beach. 

It's surprising what has been found along the coastline. Mary Anning was 12 years old when she found an Ichthyosaur with her older brother in 1811.

It's said that she braved storms and landslides for her life time love of fossil hunting.

I'm sure she also stood and viewed Lyme Bay from here. Mary Anning was thought to have inspired the tongue Twister, she sells sea shells by the sea shore.

It's also a great dog walking spot, or in Freya's case swimming spot when she daintily went through what she thought was a paddling pool,  turned out to be a mini swimming pool. Never think your dog can't swim !

On this beach you don't have to hunt for fossils, they are right under your feet.

This might look like a very uninteresting object to you and me.

But to this guy, (Mary Anning of our day), it looks promising.

As he worked he talked, and believe me, we kept him talking. He knew exactly what he was looking for.

Although I think he was getting impatient trying to prise out what ever it was that MIGHT be there.

Fools gold. Iron Pyrites.

Heavier utensils were brought from the bag.

Positioned.

Then given a hard whack with a sledge hammer. Not sure if Mary Anning would have done quite the same thing.

Not to disappoint you. Beach art.The interesting find held nothing that was very interesting to show you..

Art ?
Or maybe someone was getting bored waiting for their other half to whack hard mud. I'm sure there is a word for the layer that the fossils are found in.. I haven't a clue what it is.

Another interesting piece that someone had already broken to look inside.

I post about this beach so many times.
Although we aren't dedicated fossil hunters, we enjoy the scenery. Every time we visit this beach, the cliff face looks different. Eroding tides wash it away, bringing the past of the Jurassic Period of history open to everyone. Especially Jake.  Last year part of the cliff had fallen down, at high tide, the beach was blocked. Now the blocked beach has been washed away by the sea. With it, who knows what fossils from our past.
I'm sure there are so many fossil hunters out there.

We can't all have great finds.

For those that never know what to look for this is the shop right on the beach. Filled with history.

Or you can head for home.

With your finds.
Many thanks to our Mary Anning of 2012 for our fools gold.

If you don't find anything along Charmouth Beach, you will just have to keep digging.

Freya is, as always on her own blog. Catflap Cavalier.