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.

Porthluney beach

Season: spring

A bright morning combined with a rising tide at Porthluney beach. The sea shimmered silver between the beach and Gull Rock, enticing people into the water where three kayaks already surfed the waves. The steep sides to the beach belie a deceptively wide expanse of sand. There is safe th clean bathing water all year round. It is also the beach below Caerhays Castle, where the first Williamsii camellia were propagated from Camellia japonica by Carolyn Williams.

The beach as a sensory stimulus for Jo.

A shimmering silver sea on a bright day at Porthluney beach.

Season: spring

As part of the Caerhays Estate, Porthluney beach has an idyllic setting between the castle and the sea. This stretch of coastline between the Dodman Point and the Nare Head is among the least spoilt on the Cornish coast. The tide was out on this occasion and I chatted to Dora about our visits and times in L’Aber Wrac’h in Brittany, standing by the mussel beds on the exposed rocks. It was a fine start to the day.

Dora’s take on the beach.

Porthluney beach, as seen from the shore at low tide.

Season: winter

There was an atmosphere of preparation and industry on the Caerhays Estate during this winter visit to Porthluney. The beach cafe was being renovated and the Estate office and grounds were a hive of activity in preparation for the coming visitor season. I enjoyed the empty beach then chatted to carpenter Mark, who explained the significance of the beach within his lifestyle change, work and family values.

My chat with Mark.

Season: autumn

The tide rises deceptively quickly over the flat beach at Porthluney Cove, scattering into clouds the foraging birds on the sand at the water’s edge. Tall pines cover traces of the headland’s rough grazing partitions and the orchards that once decorated the cliff sides here. Water thunders onto the beach from the swollen river behind, dissipating to wander languidly across the wide beach and down to the endless sea.

Coysh’s wandering has strengthened his bond to the beach.

Nature in the morning on Cornwall’s south coast.

Season: summer

A high tide greeted me for this summer visit to Porthluney beach, part of the Caerhays estate. The waves probed the repaired sea defences and visitors were bunched up at the top of the beach on the remaining strand. On both sides of the beach, waves danced along the black rocks on their way in to the beach. The weather was windy but mild and the water temperature fine for swimming.

Angela draws a parallel to the sea’s moods.

Craig and his children, enjoying the beach.

A high tide on Cornwall’s south coast.

Boscastle

Season: summer

This morning Boscastle’s harbour was cloaked in shades of grey on a full tide. Contrast was offered by the bright white of the breaking waves against the black rock walls of the natural harbour entrance, as the sea is turned right by the rugged geology. Further up the channel, calm water provided a gentle backdrop to my chat with Ruth, who lives above the harbour and fishes from it.

With Ruth, who explains her love for the sea.

With visitor Neville, expounding the virtues of New Zealand’s beaches and their uses.

At the entrance to Boscastle’s natural harbour.

Season: autumn

It was a bright, sunny morning at Boscastle for this visit. On a high tide, the harbour looked splendid. The town has been fully renovated since the floods and has convenient shops, accommodation and plenty of parking.

Interviewee Jack was a font of historical knowledge about Boscastle, explaining the reciprocal trade between Cornwall and South Wales (tin for coal) and Cornwall’s historical trade with the Phoenicians (tin for saffron from India).

The harbour at Boscastle, seen from above at high tide.

Perranporth beach

Season: winter

The frosted sand crunched under my feet on an icy visit to Perranporth in February. The sky was azure blue and the tide was out, showcasing this fine beach, with small, clean breakers at the water’s edge. Although it was cold, the air was still and I enjoyed a chat with two horse riders on the beach.

With Janie and Belinda on the sand at Perranporth beach.

Season: autumn

A wistful, winter sky was the highlight of this early morning visit. Colours fused between the sea and sky on the horizon, subtle whites, greys and blues, with red and black flecks. At dawn the sky seemed to wrap itself around the beach to make a self-contained place without the sharp distinction between the parts that the brighter, daylight sun would bring later in the day.

Carol takes this beach with her wherever she goes.

A dawn scene at the expansive Perranporth beach.

Season: spring

A low tide combined with a sea mist to produce an atmospheric scene for this visit. As the sun began to burn off the mist, the sky was reflected in the sand on the ebb tide. Regulars and visitors mingled in the acres of space here, with a walk to the end of the beach taking a good half hour. At times like this, Perranporth is one of the finest beaches to visit in the county.

Nigel would be here anyway, even without his hobby.

Season: autumn

One of Cornwall’s most popular beaches, Perranporth has plenty of beach-side parking. It’s a large, dangerous North Coast beach, often featured in beach rescue programmes on TV. This is a great beach to happily combine natural beauty and sociable action.

The rip tides and shifting sand had attracted a joint Plymouth University / RNLI team to investigate sand movement. Here is Tim Scott from the university research team.

The apparatus set up by Plymouth University to test the movement of sand during tidal change on Perranporth beach .