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.

Porthbeor beach

Season: winter

The sand had been pulled from the beach at Porthbeor during recent storms. Large boulders had replaced it by the sea, glistening in the wake of the ebb tide. Access was tricky too, as the wooden steps had been completely washed away and subsidence had destabilised the coast path down to the beach. However, the beach itself was a haven of peace and tranquility, a calm after the storm. Out at sea there was no suggestion of the wildness that has preceded this visit.

Memories of the beach for Simon.

The scene after recent storms at Porthbeor beach.

Season: winter

It was a quiet, rainy morning at Porthbeor for this visit. The tide was falling back, revealing another new beach. Out on the flat sea cormorants could be clearly seen about their business and a couple of buzzards circled above. Otherwise, this beautiful, natural beach was briefly the domain of interviewee Yayeri, enjoying the elemental power of this wonderful environment.

Yayeri’s two-fold appreciation of the beach and a chance to look back in time.

The harmony of a quiet beach in the winter.

Season: summer

There was a tranquil, Mediterranean feel at Porthbeor beach for this summer visit. The sea lapped against the beach towards high tide. The outstanding setting, totally natural, made the long, steep descent worthwhile.

Beachgoer Olly’s view of the beach, when looked at under the sea.

The stunning setting for Porthbeor beach.

Lunan Bay

Season: summer

An extended spell of fine weather continued for this summer visit. Lunan Bay was bathed in bright sunshine, with blue skies above. The tide was low and the beach was being worked by a salmon netter, whom I interviewed. This activity has been taking place on Lunan Bay for hundreds of years, due to the presence of salmon rivers at either end of this wide, flat beach.

What the beach means to Claire.

A fisherman’s perspective on the beach.

What the beach means to Mark and Catherine.

A summer scene at Lunan Bay.

Season: spring

This outstanding beach is unspoilt, undeveloped and beautifully positioned, well away from busy everyday lives. It features a castle, sand dunes and cliffs at one end. During this visit, snow lay still on the beach and on the dunes, framing the arc of the bay. This is a haven of tranquility, a throwback to simpler times, with salmon stake nets still deployed in the season. This is a beach on which to recharge your batteries, a real tonic.

A changing relationship with the ever changing beach.

The endless horizon.

A white start to the day at Lunan Bay.

Croyde beach

Season: summer

Croyde is best know as a surfing beach, facing west to attract the Atlantic breakers. However, it has rock pools and a dune system, so there’s an all round family appeal here. There’s a cafe and a beach shop to hand and access is good, by a path or via steps at the southern end of the beach. So if it’s swimming, surfing or sunbathing that you’re after, this is an ideal location.

What the beach means to Priya.

A fine summer day at Croyde Bay.