Posts tagged ‘Sand’

The Great Ocean Road

By on June 12, 2016

A few weeks ago we drove along the Great Ocean Road, where the limestone plateau of western Victoria falls into the sea, leaving behind remnant limestone stacks, arches and gorges. As we drove from the western end back towards Melbourne we didn’t quite make it as far as the famous 12 Apostles (or however many are left standing) but there were plenty of coastal features still to see.

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Loch Ard Gorge, named after a ship which was wrecked within the bay many years ago.

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At the far western end of the Great Ocean Road the limestone cliffs eventually become beaches with steep dunes.

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There used to be another limestone arch forming a natural bridge between the main cliff on the left and the island on the right but it fell into the sea and the sight is now known as London Bridge.

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Travelling the Great Ocean Road in the cooler months and on a grey overcast day meant there weren’t too many tourists to get in the way of your photos.

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Above the Namib Desert

By on February 22, 2015

When you first fly out of Swakopmund you are quickly met by the vast Namib Desert, ranging from barren and dried up river beds to the towering sand dunes. scenic_flight_swakopmund_namibia_africa_plane scenic_flight_swakopmund_namibia_africa_river_patterns_naukluft_namib_desert_national_park scenic_flight_swakopmund_namibia_africa_naukluft_namib_desert_national_park scenic_flight_swakopmund_namibia_africa_river_patterns_naukluft_namib_desert_national_park_braided_river
You don’t realise how tall and wide the sand dunes are until you fly over them.

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The older sand dunes are more red in colour with the younger sand dunes more yellow.

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Dark patches of sand among the dunes are the heavy mineral sands.

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Kuiseb River Canyon

By on February 17, 2015

The Kuiseb River runs through the south of Namibia. The western end of the river acts as a border for the sand dunes

of the Namib Desert, whilst the eastern end of the river has carved a canyon into the rocky landscape. The rivers water

is not always visible but the river bed can be identified by the presence of trees.

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Not only was the Kuiseb Canyon and River viewed from a scenic flight over the Namib Desert but we also

drove through the canyon and stopped for a quick look.

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The Dead Trees of Deadvlei

By on February 16, 2015

A visit to Deadvlei (and the neighbouring Sossouvlei) is must when visiting Namibia, it was

definitely one of the highlights of my trip. The colours of the white salt pan against the deep orange

of the sand dunes is made even more spectacular by the skeletal remains of the ancient trees.

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I also had the opportunity to see Deadvlei from the air, which made me realise the full

extent of the salt pan and makes the trees look tiny.

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Exploring the Jurassic Coast

By on December 12, 2014

As I’m currently visiting family and friends in the UK I couldn’t resist a trip to the Jurassic Coast

along the southern coastline of England to have a look at some amazing geology.

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Durdle Door has been carved out of the Portland Limestone and is adjacent to the

upright beds of the Purbeck Stone.

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Huge white cliffs composed of chalk, tower over the beach and as the cliffs erode into the

ocean the water becomes a milky blue colour.

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In the cove behind Durdle Door are remnants of rock forming the Man O’War Bay.

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More geology information about the Jurassic Coast and Durdle Door can be found here.

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