Author Archives: manonabeach

About manonabeach

On a beach…welcome to manonabeach.com, where I’ll regularly add video of my beach visits, so you can enjoy a flavour of the beach, even when you’re not there.

Montrose beach

Season: spring

This wonderful beach has miles of golden sand. It runs north from Montrose to the mouth of the North Esk River. The southern end of the beach is now protected by a barrier of large rocks. A glorious day greeted me for this spring visit. Half a tide covered the beach, which sits just below the golf links. Fresh rocks had been added to the sea defences, a reminder that this can be a wild place. Today was benign, with locals and visitors enjoying the charms of being on the beach and by the sea. Montrose is well worth a visit at any time of the year, with plenty of facilities nearby and superb coastal walks to enjoy in both directions.

The joy of living near the beach for Suzanne.

A bright day at Montrose.

Seaton

Season: winter

The long strand of Seaton beach in East Devon is ideal for a walk at any time of day. On this occasion I visited the attractive eastern end of the beach, but there is beauty along its full length. With all the facilities you might need to hand, this is one of the most popular visitor attractions in the area. As well as benefiting from its proximity to the South West Coast Path, Seaton is the western gateway to the wonderful Jurassic Coast, the Dorset and East Devon World Heritage Coast site. Seaton Marshes Nature Reserve is also close by.

What the beach means to Harriet in the morning.

A crisp winter morning at Seaton beach.

Summerleaze beach

Season: summer

This seasonal visit was at the height of the visitor season on a warm and sunny day. Although it was quite early, there were plenty of tourists on Summerleaze beach, mingling with the early morning dog walkers. The tide was racing in across the flat beach and clean surf had attracted some early birds with their surfboards. It was shaping up to be a typical North Cornwall day in mid-August.

With Jayne on the waterline at Summerleaze beach in Bude, reflecting on a life spent at the beach.

Looking down on Summerleaze beach in the morning.

A straightforward analysis from Janet.

Season: spring

Seasonal showers greeted me at Summerleaze beach in Bude, the weather varying between bright sunshine and hail. At low tide the beach is an enormous expanse of sand, rock and river channel. Summerleaze sits head on to the Atlantic, wild and hypnotic when you’re by the water. Bude is very hospitable and open to visitors, yet retains a proud independence. The depth of affection for Bude, plus pride and belonging to a community, radiates from all three interviews.

Ted explains the pull of the beach.

Mini, aka Martin, explains what Surf Life Saving Clubs offer from a young age into adult life.

Charlie takes us back in time.

Season: winter

I saw the wild beauty of North Cornwall at its finest during this trip to Bude. On arrival in stormy conditions half a dozen horses and riders were enjoying the surf and spray on the shoreline. The beach is extensive at low tide and easily accessible, either from the town on foot or via the adjacent car park. Everything is to hand, including a wonderful lido fed by the sea called Bude Sea Pool.

A chat with waitress Sarah at the Life’s a Beach cafe on Summerleaze beach.

Season: autumn

The tide was high at Summerleaze beach for this re-visit. Bude has one of only two sea locks in the country. The lock gates had been opened to allow the fishing boats into the safety of the inner harbour for winter. At the other end of the beach hardy dog walkers enjoyed the bracing wind and the lively seascape. The Sea Pool was full, its steps and railings taking the full force of the Atlantic, a stormy day indeed.

The appeal of the beach, part of Jason’s decision to relocate.

A wild high tide at Summerleaze beach in Bude.