I saw this on the beach at Whitstable late one night, when I lived in a little house which backed onto it.
I see someone has left a paper cup on the water's edge so that passers by can do what I did that night - scoop out some of the water where I last saw the luminescence and give it a shake to light it up again.
The creatures are totally transparent, and only light up when agitated. As the surf sweeps for a mile or so against the shore, a wave of light accompanies it, then quickly goes out again, like a Mexican wave.
This was not the only strange sight I saw on that beach in Whitstable. When out walking on it at about 6.00 am one day, I saw a lone figure walking toward me. There was only us two on the flotsam line. It was Peter Cushing.
We said 'good morning' to each other, and carried on in opposite directions.
I would have been more thrilled to see the sea lighting up - have never seen that and have always wished I could. I didn't even know it was possible in the UK.
ReplyDeleteYes, it's possible, but I've only seen it once. I think it has to be in the Summer. Peter Cushing was a hero of my adolescence - or at least Hammer Horror films were.
DeleteI loved this story
ReplyDeleteFrom you, that means a lot.
DeleteDid Peter 'light up' when you wished him good day?
ReplyDeleteHe was missing his wife at the time, I later learnt.
DeleteThat is truly incredible. Thank you ~ I have learned something new.
ReplyDeleteAbout Hammer Horror, or jellyfish?
DeleteSingle cell plankton, I think -- I have never seen this, but have friends that experienced swimming in the sea off Walberwick in Suffolk and being covered in the glowing stuff! Sounded weird and wonderful!
ReplyDeleteYes, I have had friends who have experienced that. I don't think they sting - which is just as well.
DeleteWow I would have loved to have seen the sea like that. I would have run in to it!
ReplyDeleteI'd like to have seen that.
DeleteLove that picture. I would have wanted to scoop some of that water up and given it a shake to light the night up too.
ReplyDeleteG'WAN - BE HONEST! You'd have ripped yer kecks off and jomped in, sure yer would.
DeleteTo be sure I would too
DeleteHow beautiful ….. a sight that I have never seen ….. I've seen fireflies ' en masse ' which is pretty magical.
ReplyDelete….. and, every morning, on my way to work, I would see David Niven and he used to raise his hat and say good morning.
….. AND, another thing ….. I used to see many a celebrity sneaking out of flats with whom they were having an affair ….. I could have cleaned up if I'd gone to the News of the World !!!! XXXX
David Niven - I think that beats Peter Cushing on an international level.
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