Welcome to manonabeach, featuring films of the beaches I visit and answers from beachgoers to the question: "What does the beach mean to you..?"

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Portmellon

Posted on May 19, 2012 by manonabeach

Season: spring

If you can avoid an easterly wind, this beach reflects the gentler side of Cornwall, sitting in the lea of the prevailing winds.  Today, it was mild and calm, with the tide falling away from the substantial sea defences.  As Portmellon village woke up, the sun shimmered on a grey blue sea.

With Vera, on the beach at Portmellon.

The beach, as seen from the boatyard slipway.

Season: winter

It was a gentle, grey blue morning for my return to Portmellon, at high tide with a modest swell.  Nevertheless, the seaweed and sand strewn along the road was witness to the power of nature at work here.  The hamlet faces east and can show many faces to its demeanor, as explained by Rod in our chat.

With Rod, on the waterline at Portmellon.

Evidence of spring tides at Portmellon, near Mevagissey in Cornwall.

Season: autumn

This quiet village south of St Austell sits between Gorran Haven and Mevagissey.  Most people here live on a hill behind the beach and road, which is just as well, because an easterly storm regularly crosses the road and bombards the beach-side houses, strewing seaweed over the road and any passing cars.  There is ample parking, a pub (The Rising Sun) and toilets, but no shop.

The view from outside the entrance to The Rising Sun pub.

A view from the boatyard end of the village.

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Sennen

Posted on May 18, 2012 by manonabeach

Season: spring

There was a benign, peaceful atmosphere at Sennen Cove for this re-visit.  The sea lapped against the white sand, a bit odd for such a wild beach as this.  The falling tide left kelp and rounded rocks visible at the far end of Whitesand Bay.  There’s a pleasing crescent shape to the beach, with the surrounding land cossetting you as you look out to sea.

Reg and his enduring attraction to the beach.

Young Cultural Creatives

An international perspective, from Beijing’s own Ying Di.

Whitesand Bay, from the sea wall on a falling tide.

Season: winter

The sea was alive at Sennen Cove for my winter re-visit, with surfers and beachgoers alike enjoying it.  On a rising half tide, the crescent shape of Whitesand Bay was clearly visible, backed by the pristine dunes.  I met a beach cleaner and enjoyed inhaling the pure Atlantic sea breeze, here at the end of these islands of ours.

My chat with Heather, a beach aficionado, at Sennen Cove in February.

The waves against the beach at Whitesand Bay, Sennen Cove, in the winter.

Season: autumn

Early morning, with the sun coming over the dunes on a low tide, was just breathtaking, filling me with a wonder at isolated nature, just like I’d experienced at Gwithian and Watergate Bay beaches.  The early morning light is a great time to see Cornwall’s beaches, well worth getting up for.  At the far western end of the county, Sennen has wild nature and waves but also an excellent array of facilities, plus arts and craft shops and a harbour with a lifeboat.  You couldn’t fail to enjoy a visit here, plenty of parking, toilets etc. and a pub / hotel right on the beach.

On the beach at Sennen Cove at dawn.

Sennen Cove from the harbour.

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