Country diary: Gales tear sand from the foreshore | John Gilbey

Aberdyfi, Gwynedd: Light streams across the beach, saturating the scene with colour and contrast, driving the grey murk inlandEven by recent standards, the strength of the wind is extraordinary, roaring in from the west and building short, sharp waves on the estuary of the Afon Dyfi. I almost didn't get here, as on the way a fir tree had shed a heavy, dead branch on to the path much closer to me than I would have liked, giving me a new sense of privilege as I look out over the water.The hills beyond the river seem to fade in and out as they merge with sky and shore in a grey blur of squally rain, and across the marshes the few visible groups of ducks shelter in the narrow creeks defined by the falling tide. Continue reading...