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.

Rock beach

Season: autumn

Rock is a jewel in the North Cornwall crown. Sitting across the River Camel from popular Padstow, there’s a serene calm in the morning here before the up-market eateries and shops open. The beach is expansive, backed by sand dunes that have intricate pathways in which to lose yourself. The views from the beach are breathtaking, all the way along past Brae Hill to Daymer Bay beyond. The village has all the facilities that you might want on your holiday or for a day visit.

What the beach means to Cat and Will.

A succinct testimony from Claire and Fraser.

Sunshine all the way at Rock.

Season: autumn

At dawn, imagine the pull of tidal water, with a full moon that has caused the high spring tide straight ahead of you and with the emerging sun over the sand dunes directly behind you. On an exposed sand bar, right at the moment of the furthest magnetic pull of the tide, you are part of a natural harmony.

Monica’s morning routine.

A fine panorama on a high spring tide.

Season: summer

A bright, blowy day brought the dinghies out onto the River Camel. There were plenty of visitors up bright and early, taking the ferry over to Padstow. Looking up the estuary to Stepper Point, it became clear why so many people are drawn to this part of Cornwall, such is the unspoilt beauty here.

With Katie, a regular visitor to Rock, explaining her reasons for returning.

At the Porthilly end of Rock, where most of the sailing takes place.

Season: winter

Although chilly, Rock and the beach were bathed in sunshine for this mid-December visit. The car park and toilets are right next to the beach and there are eateries lining the road. The River Camel has one of the most beautiful estuaries in Cornwall and Rock has retained a sense of tranquility during the off-season, as the tourist spotlight has tended to move across the water to Padstow in recent years. Rock is a highly desirable place to visit, not least due to the outstanding walks round to Daymer Bay and on to John Betjeman’s Greenaway and Polzeath.

Listening to Dominic of the Rock Rowing Club on a sunny December morning.

My chat with John, one of the pilots of the Rock ferry.

Watching the return of the Jane D training gig for the Rock Rowing Club after practice.

Godrevy beach

Season: winter

The high tide was starting to fall back under a bright blue sky. There were remnants of morning mist towards the Gwithian end of the beach, but the lighthouse could be seen clearly just offshore. Mountainous surf crashed against the beach and the granite rocks. The cliffs were lined with sightseers and photographers, enjoying this window of warm high pressure on the North Cornwall coast.

What the beach means to Rowenna.

Morning mist clears above the beach.

A view from the rocks by the Atlantic.

Season: spring

Bright sunshine and a low, turning tide greeted me at Godrevy. The lighthouse was framed in azure blue, both sea and sky. Across the bay, St Ives stood on its headland with the Atlantic behind. The full beach down to Hayle Towans via Gwithian was laid out, golden sand against the stark cliffs and dunes. It was a picture perfect day.

Jon and Sandra’s testimony to the elements at the beach.

A fine panorama, seen from above Godrevy beach.

Season: winter

Bright sunshine lit a boiling sea at Godrevy. Waves crashed against the rocks, reaching the full height of the lighthouse. The sheer elemental power of nature was evident all around, the sea pounding the granite cliffs in a timeless interaction. People stared at the majesty of the scene, transfixed by the awesome ocean as it made land.

What the beach means to Martin and Ashley.

Season: summer

Godrevy was balmy and hypnotic, with brilliant blues in the calm sea offset by golden sands and stark, black rock flecked with vivid greens. The lighthouse stood sentinel off the coast and there was a clear, panoramic view, from the Atlantic, St Ives, Carbis Bay, Hayle and Gwithian, back round to Godrevy and the headland where I stood.

Elizabeth, at home and where she wants to be.

Jim and Natalia, at one with nature on the beach.

A stunning vista, Godrevy in the morning.

Season: spring

Wild weather greeted me at Godrevy, often the case on this elemental beach. The high tide set rounded stones clattering as they were dragged back into the surf. The sounds of the sea and the wind were invigorating to all on the beach. Visitors Callum and Jane, who clearly felt a strong affinity to this place.

With Callum and Jane on Godrevy beach.

Season: autumn

Located at the end of Gwithian beach, just below Upton Towans in the sand dunes, Godrevy sits in front of a wildlife sanctuary on Cornwall’s north coast. At its headland sits the white Godrevy lighthouse, whose rocks attract dolphins and seals for the fishing. The fusion between the sky and the sea early in the morning is striking, a palette of pastel colours. Parking is close at hand in two car parks, or on the road, if you prefer to walk through the nature reserve.

By the water at Godrevy.

Newlyn

Season: winter

There was a calm between storms for this winter visit to Cornwall’s fishing capital. The market was quiet and many boats hadn’t been out for a while, due to the inclement conditions. Bright sunshine was the order of the day and this was an opportunity to survey a large section of the fishing fleet, sheltering in anticipation of another bout of low pressure.

What the beach means to Jeffrey.

David looks back in time and towards the future.

Mount’s Bay and storm damage at Newlyn Green.

Season: spring

Many boats were still at sea when I arrived at Newlyn for this spring visit, hence the fairly empty harbour. The daily market had just finished. I met wholesaler Craig in the Newlyn Seaman’s Mission. At the quayside, he explained his connection to Newlyn over many generations, as well as his pride in the high quality of fish now landed at the port, due to state of the art icing practice, processing and a quick turnaround from the boats to the consumer. In the modern retail environment consumers can now deal directly with suppliers to have fish delivered directly and quickly to them in first class condition. Craig’s contribution to this enhanced customer service from Cornish merchants can be seen at Fresh Cornish Fish.

Craig’s pride in his Newlyn heritage, plus his view of a future in the fish business.

Newlyn harbour and Mount’s Bay in the morning.

Season: autumn

I arrived in the fishing village of Newlyn, capital of Cornwall’s fishing industry, just before dawn, so several boats were coming in to unload and the market was in full swing. This is an interesting time to visit Newlyn, when it’s in action as a working harbour. I enjoyed a panoramic view from the top of the ice house. Newlyn village has toilets, shops and a great art gallery. There is a great art tradition here, with some of the work viewable in the local galleries. Located on the western end of Mount’s Bay, it’s also a wonderful place to visit for the views and the nearby beach.

With Richard, who organises the transport at Newlyn fish market.

A view from the top of the Ice House at Newlyn market just after dawn has just broken.

On the harbour wall at Newlyn just before dawn.