We managed to squeeze in a picnic at Sennen beach for a relaxing treat this Sunday and despite a less than promising weather forecast, we had a wonderful afternoon.
Sennen is the fabulous stretch of soft white sands that lies looking impossible beautiful between the Wolf Rock lighthouse, that guards Land’s End to the west and the jutting promontory of Cape Cornwall to the east.
We parked high above the beach today, away from the busy village and made our way down thorough the soft tumbling dunes clothed in Marran grass to the beach below.
Sennen Beach – first choose your spot for a picnic!
I had hoped to persuade Charles to walk along to the secret beach at Gwinveor that I featured in my twelve secret coves. But he balked at the thought, complaining we wouldn’t have lunch until there ‘o clock if we walked there. So we compromised and settled in his usual favourite spot under the heathland at the quiet eastern end of Sennen beach.
Soft seductive white sands and Thermos tea
Soon towels were spread out on the soft seductive sands and steaming beach-tea was poured from our thermos and we settled down to munch sandwiches and watch the world go by and the lifeguards making brave attempts to keep the population safe which was something akin to herding cats.
There’s a great little book out at the moment set in Sennen called “Bilbo the Surf lifeguard dog” There’s a great anecdote of how he encouraged people out of the rip tides without too much fuss by telling them that was where the Weaver fish lived!” Maybe they need to find a shark these days!
Snuggling into the soft, seductive, white sands to doze after lunch was pure bliss. Every sound almost obliterated by the roar of the distant seas. I totally missed the Para glider that landed just beside us until it was too late and the owner was cooling collecting his gear. A passing wag remarked “Must be the Cadbury’s Milk Tray man!” Alas there was no sign of chocolate though!
Strangely we stayed in a perfect patch of sunshine for the afternoon, while Cape Cornwall to our east remained sulkily in the shade
The sea slowly reclaimed Sennen beach
Much, much later when the sea started to reclaim the beach I walked the tide line with the icy cold waters lapping over my toes. I follwed the empty tide line towards Gwinveor before turning back towards Sennen.
The sands nearer to the village of Sennen was tightly packed with visitors. Earnest fathers were digging enormous pits, while budding surfers packed the waves in glossy black wet suits. So it was a relief to turn again and wander back towards our picnic spot.
A long climb from Sennen Beach but sad to leave!
Charles had put his solitary sojourn to good use and studied the terrain back to the car park. He had spotted a route up behind the lifeguards hut, that might be easier, than the steep route we had excitedly slipped and slithered down earlier in the day. We paused only every now and again though to say and say goodbye, while treasuring the memory of a picnic on Sennen beach.
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