Let's guess: from the high water mark on the uprights, these platforms are
only a few feet above sea-level at highest tide. Therefore, they cannot be
of any use during that period for someone wanting to access them from the
shore or the shore from the piers. The tide appears to have a maximum reach
of approximately 4 metres, suggesting an exposed coast subject to Atlantic
storm surges (assuming the shot was taken in France). There are small
shed-type structures at the end of each one , so they would provide both
shelter and storage space. There is a sign at the entrance to each one
which reads "Propriete prive" = "Private Property". There is a lighthouse
and a church in the background, the church having an octagonal tower, and
there are several figures walking on the path from the headland back towards
the left of the picture. There are also several houses, some of them quite
modern, which look as if they might be used for holidays. The location is
either a substantial bay, or there is a low island some miles off-shore.
My guess? The shot was taken on the Atlantic Coast of Normandy, and the
piers could be used for:
A: net or other fishing gear storage
B: for fishing when the tide is in, with access by boat
C: for drying fishing nets at low tide
(but I think the latter unlikely).
I think both A and B together, perhaps they were set up by a local fishing
club or co-operative?
Any prizes for a correct guess!
John Coyle
Brisbane, Australia
----- Original Message -----
From: "Powell Hargrave" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, August 04, 2005 8:21 AM
Subject: OT Sorta - What are these piers?
I was looking at full size dc images taken with the Zenitar 16mm. This one
taken with a Canon 300D is a good example of what the lens can do.
While messing with the image I became very curious as to the purpose of
these strange elevated pier structures, which I presume are somewhere in
France. I've spent a lot of time around docks and the ocean and have
never
seen any thing like this. Can anyone offer a clue?
http://membres.lycos.fr/mediathink/IMG_4179.JPG
Powell
