Man has interacted with the sea since time immemorial. At the point of contact, the coast, he has made structures for a variety of purposes ranging from necessity to recreational. Timber is often the material of choice for these constructions which feature frequently in landscape photos. Here are a few examples – I have many more for future posts…
I think these must have been supports for some form of jetty across the mud flats in the Severn Estuary to get from the shore to navigable water. I’ve never been sure what these posts are for. They are on a long shandy beach in Calvados, France, and my have something to do with preventing the shifting of the sands but those usually run at right angles to the water. Perhaps they mark a route where the base is firmer and safer to cross?Like the previous photo, this row of stakes runs along the beach in Chichester Harbour, Sussex, rather than across it. The taller posts at intervals must remain exposed at high tide as a warning of the hazard to boats.Another mysterious construction, this time in the Solent in Hampshire. Ideas on a postcard…This geometric construction, at Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight, seems to have a dual purpose – pontoon and navigation mark. There was one with green paint on the other side of the channel. (I’m not sure how you get from the floating pontoon to the shore!).I saw these while driving down the west coast of France. The fishermen must go out to the towers at low tide and spend the next twelve hours or so working their nets until they can get ashore again.Sometimes the structures are purely creative. It’s a lovely way to re-purpose driftwood and other flotsam.
Thank you for the postcard! I wondered about that too, at the time, but the location and angle of the posts didn’t seem right. I think it’s the most likely explanation.
Oliver Nares Photography 
I’ve noticed an interesting one on the Ilen river….
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I think I know the one – I’ll be careful not to hit it next time I “cut a corner”!!
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Might they be anything to do with fish nets?
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Thank you for the postcard! I wondered about that too, at the time, but the location and angle of the posts didn’t seem right. I think it’s the most likely explanation.
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Enigmatic and fascinating, Oliver. Each one has a history, and a story…
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Well, if I had your detective skills I could probably find out more about their stories but, for now, I’ll go with the images!
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