A stormy New Year walk in Troon & Barassie

Today is the 3rd January and the 1st big storm of the year has just arrived. The next one is due in two days time so no respite. The last month has been constant wind, rain & dark grey days and sadly the next month is predicted to be much of the same.

I went for a walk along the front to be confronted by the road closed signs at the Ballast Bank. The police were just starting to shut off the streets as the tourists will be out and about taking their stormy weather photos (I know, pot, kettle & black).
This area is just as much a concern for walkers as for drivers, as there is a path that goes round the side of the banking which would more than likely result in a fatality if someone was washed into the sea. I know but there are always some idiots around. 
For me it meant a short detour back into the town to come back onto the front further along. The high tide was still a couple of hours away but as you can see it is quite dramatic already.
Both Troon and Barassie beaches are relatively shallow bays so the waves come running in unhindered until they hit the esplanade walls.
In these conditions the seas are fairly predictable but very interesting for the local snapper.

One minute you can see the church and the next second?

No you can't!!
I decided to head back towards Barassie along the esplanade and the Italian gardens were also getting pounded.

If I'm correct this area was the location of the open air swimming pool which is appropriate as in a couple of hours when high tide arrives this will be submerged.
Thankfully the walk along Barassie shore has the wind at my back, it is definitely much easier on the breathing.

The north shore is more exposed but as you can see from the above the waves are not as large but are bringing in more debris. As it is a southerly storm Troon harbour shelters some of this area.
Although the high tide might not be bringing huge waves to this beach the water surge is still high. In the next shot this is the beach walkway entrance to western Gailes golf club. The water is surging through the iron gate into the golf course. There will be no play today.

Time for lunch and a cuppa.