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.

Church Cove & Lizard RNLI Lifeboat station

Season: spring

The car park above the new Lizard Lifeboat House features a memorial stone to those who lost their lives in the wreck of The Ardgarry in December, 1962. Crew from the Lizard Lifeboat spent fourteen hours in the storm attempting to rescue them, without luck. It was ironic then to be greeted by such a tranquil, peaceful sight for this visit. The sea was calm and silver under the sun early in the morning, such is the variety of the weather at this most southerly UK point.

What the beach means to Danielle.

A peaceful morning beside the Lizard Lifeboat launch slipway.

Zusammen in dieser welt, mit Mauer and Sebastian at Kilcobben Cove.

Season: winter

The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. As an organisation, it is supported entirely by voluntary contributions. It fulfills a vital role in helping to safeguard those who use the beach, the coast path and the sea in this beautiful part of the world. I visited the Lifeboat station to witness a training launch of the new Lizard lifeboat. I heard from Maggie, a member of the launching authority, who explained the relationship between the RNLI, the Coastguard and the lifeguards for the benefit of visitors and beachgoers alike, as well as how to help if you see someone in trouble. The Lifeboat station is a marvelous facility, strikingly attractive and highly valued for its service to the community and seafarers alike.

Maggie explains how the RNLI interacts with other services in Cornwall.

The launch of the Lizard lifeboat at Kilcobben Cove on a Sunday morning.

Season: autumn

This was a memorable opportunity to see the new lifeboat house at Kilcobben Cove. It’s easy to walk there from Lizard village and nearby Church Cove is well worth a visit.

With John Harris, a member of the launching authority at the Lizard lifeboat station.

Porthleven

Season: spring

Bright sunshine greeted me for this spring season visit to Porthleven on the Lizard Peninsula. The fishing town had recently taken a pounding from the winter storms, but today the scene couldn’t have been more different. Metal detectorists scoured the calm and peaceful beach, including interviewee Desilina, from Swansea Metal Detecting Club. The main visitor season had begun and the town was in great shape for visitors, day trippers and holidaymakers alike.

Things that you can find on the beach and elsewhere.

Spring arrives at Porthleven.

Season: autumn

I visited Porthleven and its small beach on a beautiful sunny day. The sea was flat calm today, but it has been known on occasion to career over the sea defences and up against the wall of the Bickford-Smith Institute. This building, originally gifted to the town as an “institute of learning”, is now used as council offices. I had a chat with two generations of boatmen who were busy with a working boat on dry land, next to the picturesque harbour. There are many facilities to hand in Porthleven, with a choice of pubs and restaurants. Nearby Porthleven Sands makes for a bracing walk on a windy day.

A chat with Llewellyn on his working boat by the harbour.

With his nephew, Lucas on the working boat.

A view from the inner harbour at Porthleven.

A calm sea at Porthleven.

Harlyn Bay

Season: winter

Harlyn Bay is one of the most picturesque beaches on the North Cornwall Coast, popular with locals, visitors and surfers alike. On this occasion the low tide and bright sunshine made for a benign winter scene, with messy, white-topped Atlantic surf and a sheen on the beach from the receding tide. The beach is flat and ideal for an unwinding winter stroll, or as a place from which to gaze out to sea.

The sound of the sea with Ben and Hannah.

Low tide in the winter sunshine at Harlyn Bay.

Season: summer

Many visitors were enjoying Harlyn Bay under clear blue skies. A rising tide still leaves plenty of room on this expansive stretch of sand. Bathers are well protected by the RNLI crew, who have a cabin at the back of the beach. This part of North Cornwall boasts many exquisite beaches, including Mother Ivy’s Bay, Trevone and Constantine Bay close by. Harlyn Bay is also well placed for trips to nearby Padstow.

The natural appeal of the beach for Sue.

Summertime at Harlyn Bay.

Season: summer

A grey, blustery afternoon on Cornwall’s North Coast coincided with a high tide at Harlyn Bay. I was just able to reach the far end of the beach, away from the other hardy beachgoers. The geology here is striking, as if the sedimentary slabs of black rock have been systematically dismantled. Today Atlantic breakers coursed in relentlessly as visitors bobbed about on boogie boards in the surf.

With Chloe and Ben on the beach at Harlyn Bay.

A different perspective at the end of the beach.

Season: winter

The sea was wild and rugged for this winter visit. It was misty and mild, a counterpoint to the pounding sound of the waves. I met two couples, who each explained what pulled them to the beach. It felt great to be near the elemental power of Cornwall’s north coast at this time of year.

With Max and Sarah, who explain what the beach means to them.

John and Wendy, on holiday from Bath, compare Cornwall to the sea near to their home.

The beach at Harlyn Bay in winter.

Season: autumn

This is a popular North Coast tourist beach. I was struck by how much more sand there was on the beach compared to my last visit, reminding me how much sand can be moved by the motion of the tides. I saw the seasonal end of the tourist time for the beach, with a surf lesson taking place for some visitors from Southampton.

I chatted to a surfing instructor, Ollie, who considered Cornwall’s place in a wider society today. Ollie had spent his whole life in the county and explained some of the pressures facing young people.

Harlyn Bay’s beach on the morning after a storm.