I must go down to the sea again, to the lonely sea and the sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by.
Quotation from "Sea Fever" by John Masefield

SAUNDERSFOOT HARBOUR

It was in 1829 that the Saundersfoot Railway and Harbour Company was given permission by Parliament to construct a harbour at the western end of the bay. Some fifteen years later, seven collieries as well as ironworks at Stepaside and brickworks near Wiseman's Bridge were using the newly constructed harbour to export their goods. Although the industry has declined, the harbour still remains and is one of the focal points of the village. Local youngsters find great fun in jumping off the seaward side of the harbour wall (below left) and many fishermen cast their lines from there too. This one (below right) was only too pleased to show off a mackerel hauled from the depths.

On the other side of the wall the harbour is full of pleasure craft but local fishing boats still unload their catches here on a regular basis. Views like the two below must have been photographed thousands of times by visitors to Saundersfoot.

But I wanted to try something different and an ebbing tide gave me the opportunity to try a few sea level shots from the water's edge. Here they are with a some more quotations thrown in for good measure. Will Your Anchor Hold? The ship is anchor'd safe and sound, it's voyage closed and done. From fearful trip the victor ship comes in with object won. Walt Whitman 1819-1892 Is It Flotsam Or Is It Jetsam? Moreover, just as I am unsure of the difference between flora and fauna and flotsam and jetsam, I am quite sure that marriage is the alliance of two people one of whom never remembers birthdays and the other never forgetsam. Ogden Nash 1902-1971 The Running Tide I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied. John Masefield 1878-1967 What Would Robinson Crusoe Make Of This? It happened one day, about noon, going towards my boat; I was exceedingly surprised with the print of a man's naked foot on the shore, which was very plain to be seen in the sand. I stood like one thunderstruck. Daniel Defoe 1661?-1731 The Traditional View Returning to a more traditional viewpoint from the harbour wall, this is the image I used to create the the opening picture on the title page.