Another fine day for a stroll along the beach. On this occasion a stretch known as Blue Anchor heading east up towards Watchett.
Interesting to note the geological fault with the red Triassic mudstone (250-200 million years ago) contrasting sharply with the grey coloured interbedded marls and muds of the later Jurassic period.
J M W Turner’s ‘Minehead, Somersetshire’
And the view west just over 100 years ago looking towards Dunster Castle, Minehead and the distant hills of Exmoor c.1820; Board of Trustees of the National Museums and Galleries on Merseyside (Lady Lever Art Gallery).
Bizarre to see the pink streaks of gypsum running throughout the Jurassic rocks.
Perhaps more commonly known as alabaster the mineral has been collected and used for sculpture and carvings since medieval times. With a resemblance to marble the mottled white and pink stone became especially popular for religious monuments and fonts.
Nowadays the alabaster is found as sea washed pebbles and in fallen sections of the cliff. With few large blocks remaining it retains its popularity with artists carving small sculptures.
