We arrived at high tide as planned - promptly starting to search for fossils amongst the rocks and pebbles. Pit stops for refuelling were of course essential!
We were surprisingly successful. I've been to Lyme Regis before and not found anything so I'd fully prepped the kids that we may not find any fossilised life - and certainly not any dinosaurs!!
While the tide was high little man broke rocks for a full hour!! He knelt, selected a rock that simply 'could not be broken' and smashed away. Little lady built towers of rock but was much happier once more of the beach became exposed and there was water to play with!
A bridge was an engineering challenge to accomplish...
It was fascinating to see the folds of rock and the layers of minerals laid historically with huge boulders deposited sporadically by the power of ice and sea. As the slate layers break away with the impact of the sea, the pebbles enclosed within are released with their fossilised remains.
The kids played in foot pools, built walls with gloop cement...
...and generally frolicked in a bit of water and fine sand as only children can.
Some fossils were too large to bring home:
...and we chose a favourite to display as a reminder of our day.
It wasn't as accessible as many beaches we visit and I certainly felt the impact of that later in the day pain wise but the effort was worth it. Little man is a dinosaur fanatic and was super interested. In our research when we came home we found out that a new species of dinosaur is discovered each week by Palaeontologists for the last 18 months- that's mind blowing - that the rate of discovery is still so high.
The Natural History Museum is a destination we need to visit - I'm planning for October half term if we can arrange it. Although the entry is free to the museum the expense comes in the travel to and stay in London. I really want to make it happen though. I know I'll get so much pleasure just from watching little man's face and they'll learn sooo much in so many ways.
Kilve was a different experience for us. Thoroughly enjoyable with lots of learning coming out of our finds!
Thanks for reading,
J9 x
Today I'm partying with:
Today I'm joining in with these lovely blog parties!
Wow, those stone piles are impressive! That looks like such an interesting place to visit. I love fossils and those are some really good ones.
ReplyDeleteThey were fantastic size stones for piling!! It was a good place to visit and considering we've lived where we do for 7 years it's a bit poor that we've only just been!! J9 x
DeleteThank you so much for sharing and it looks like the kiddies found some nifty fossils! Ex-RAF hubby loves geology and has quite a collection of fossils. I will have to show him your photos!
ReplyDeleteI was really amazed at the sheer number we found - it was quite incredible! J9 x
DeleteWhat a fun day at the beach! Love, love that bridge. Hunting for fossils would be something some of my grandies would love. thanks for sharing with SYC.
ReplyDeletehugs,
Jann