In the 1970s the dunes between the lake and the harbour were sown with tree lupin (Lupinus arboreus) and Marram Grass, which has reduced sand movement and provided a low quality pasture.
In the first novel she has a pet rock called Petroc Trelawney (presumably named after Petroc Trelawny), which she loses when the Marram Marshes are flooded; she later acquires a pet duck called Ethel.