GeoGraph - photograph every grid square

Blue Skies Over the White Cliffs of Dorset

This picture is taken from the eastern end of the White Nothe cliffs looking east. In the foreground is the upper western slope of West Bottom valley which is the first dip hidden from view. The first chalk cliffs visible are on the headland between West Bottom and Middle Bottom which is also hidden. The second chalk cliff visible is the headland beyond Middle bottom and just before Bat's Head which sticks out prominently into the sea. Bat's Hole natural arch can be seen at the base of Bat's head. The third chalk headland visible just behind Bat's Head is Swyre Head and just beyond Swyre Head is the hidden valley of Scratchy Bottom. The white patches of foam in the sea off Bat's Head mark the location of the rocks known as The Calf, The Cow, and the Blind Cow. There is another rock, The Bull, hidden by Bat's head. Durdle Door is also hidden by Swyre Head but Hambury Tout and Dungy Head are visible.

On the extreme left one of the triangular obelisk navigation beacons is visible. It is situated right next to the South West Coast path which runs across the middle of the image descending into middle Bottom before climbing up the cliff top above Bat's head and then Swyre head where the dark lines of the path route are clearly seen. The beacon is one of a pair and the other beacon is out of picture to the left higher up the slope.

The two navigation beacons appear to line up exactly on a bearing 045 degrees (NE-SW) but at different elevations. Heading SW from the beacons the first land that it lines up with is on Portland and it appears to coincide with the Coastguard station on the eastern cliffs of the island.