New Year's Eve 2021
The weather in the morning was promising to be better than later so we drove off down to Porthleven. We were driving through fog on the way but down by the Harbour it was much clearer and even some sunshine to start with. It was surprisingly quiet in the village but within an hour or so it was packed, with a queue for a parking spot. The sea was quite rough as we wandered around doing a bit of people and wave watching. Not sure the visitors dodging the waves on the beach behind the pier realise how dangerous this beach can be. Looking forward to going back when the sea is really running.
The weather in the morning was promising to be better than later so we drove off down to Porthleven. We were driving through fog on the way but down by the Harbour it was much clearer and even some sunshine to start with. It was surprisingly quiet in the village but within an hour or so it was packed, with a queue for a parking spot. The sea was quite rough as we wandered around doing a bit of people and wave watching. Not sure the visitors dodging the waves on the beach behind the pier realise how dangerous this beach can be. Looking forward to going back when the sea is really running.
Wednesday 29th December:
Still a strong wind, still a big sea but today no sunshine just thick mist and fog. As the conditions were different I went down to Porthcurno again but this time up above the beach on the left by the old wartime pillbox. I couldn't resist, for a short while, snapping some more images of the wave dodgers and selfie shooters on the beach but I was soon distracted by a visit from a feathered friend. He was so tame he more or less sat in my lap and was delighted when I disturbed some soil for him to gorge himself on fresh worms. I left him digging away and walked further along the cliff to Pedn Vounder, the views in the fog were very atmospheric and a complete change to yesterday.
Still a strong wind, still a big sea but today no sunshine just thick mist and fog. As the conditions were different I went down to Porthcurno again but this time up above the beach on the left by the old wartime pillbox. I couldn't resist, for a short while, snapping some more images of the wave dodgers and selfie shooters on the beach but I was soon distracted by a visit from a feathered friend. He was so tame he more or less sat in my lap and was delighted when I disturbed some soil for him to gorge himself on fresh worms. I left him digging away and walked further along the cliff to Pedn Vounder, the views in the fog were very atmospheric and a complete change to yesterday.
Tuesday 28th December:
A westerly gale blowing today but at least for part of the day we had some lovely sunshine. The wind had whipped up some big waves and down at Porthcurno there were plenty of visitors to watch them. I started up above the beach, where I watched the usual game of going down to the water's edge and then running like mad as the waves come up the beach. This was great fun for one lady until her mobile phone flew out of her pocket as she ran and the sea took it away in an instant. She refused to admit defeat and got soaked feet looking for it. After that excitement I went down on to the sand as the waves always look more spectacular from sea level.
A westerly gale blowing today but at least for part of the day we had some lovely sunshine. The wind had whipped up some big waves and down at Porthcurno there were plenty of visitors to watch them. I started up above the beach, where I watched the usual game of going down to the water's edge and then running like mad as the waves come up the beach. This was great fun for one lady until her mobile phone flew out of her pocket as she ran and the sea took it away in an instant. She refused to admit defeat and got soaked feet looking for it. After that excitement I went down on to the sand as the waves always look more spectacular from sea level.
Monday 27th December:
I didn't go out today as the weather was awful, just wet and grey. Below are a couple more images taken late on. After finishing down in the cove we went up higher to get better views of the Cape as for a while it looked like there may be a good sunset. There were some dramatic clouds about but unfortunately near the horizon the cloud was much thicker and it snuffed the light out.
I didn't go out today as the weather was awful, just wet and grey. Below are a couple more images taken late on. After finishing down in the cove we went up higher to get better views of the Cape as for a while it looked like there may be a good sunset. There were some dramatic clouds about but unfortunately near the horizon the cloud was much thicker and it snuffed the light out.
Boxing Day:
We set off from home after lunch with no idea where we would end up-half an hour later we arrived at Cape Cornwall. It was quite busy with lots of people walking up to the summit of the Cape and a dozen or so people swimming in the sea pool and off the slipway. I made my way out across the slippery rocks to the left of the slipway with the idea to photograph the Cape with the rough sea in the foreground. For a few minutes the sun was beautiful on the Cape but it didn't last as some clouds rolled in. To my right I suddenly realised two kayakers were braving the conditions and battling the incoming swell to get out out of the cove-later I found out they were Paul and Cameron.
On their first attempt Cameron was capsized and ended up in the water but their perseverance was rewarded and they made it out to open water. I hadn't really been ready for them at first, the camera was on the tripod, but later, as they braved the swell to get back in, I was prepared with a longer lens. This time it was Paul who nearly came a cropper but he just managed to stay upright. Below you can see a set of images portraying their adventure.
We set off from home after lunch with no idea where we would end up-half an hour later we arrived at Cape Cornwall. It was quite busy with lots of people walking up to the summit of the Cape and a dozen or so people swimming in the sea pool and off the slipway. I made my way out across the slippery rocks to the left of the slipway with the idea to photograph the Cape with the rough sea in the foreground. For a few minutes the sun was beautiful on the Cape but it didn't last as some clouds rolled in. To my right I suddenly realised two kayakers were braving the conditions and battling the incoming swell to get out out of the cove-later I found out they were Paul and Cameron.
On their first attempt Cameron was capsized and ended up in the water but their perseverance was rewarded and they made it out to open water. I hadn't really been ready for them at first, the camera was on the tripod, but later, as they braved the swell to get back in, I was prepared with a longer lens. This time it was Paul who nearly came a cropper but he just managed to stay upright. Below you can see a set of images portraying their adventure.
Click on the small images to enlarge
Christmas Day:
After a splendid Christmas Dinner of egg and chips we went off down to Gwenver again but this time walked right out to Aire Point. We took the Jetboil with us and a couple of mince pies just to prove we weren't ignoring Christmas altogether. No direct sun but some interesting light as now and again the sun tried to burn a hole in the thick mist. Quite a swell rolling in but as it was low tide the waves weren't as big as we'd really like. Just a few people out and about but December 25th is probably the quietest day of the year to enjoy the outdoors.
After a splendid Christmas Dinner of egg and chips we went off down to Gwenver again but this time walked right out to Aire Point. We took the Jetboil with us and a couple of mince pies just to prove we weren't ignoring Christmas altogether. No direct sun but some interesting light as now and again the sun tried to burn a hole in the thick mist. Quite a swell rolling in but as it was low tide the waves weren't as big as we'd really like. Just a few people out and about but December 25th is probably the quietest day of the year to enjoy the outdoors.
Christmas Eve:
As the day wore on the rain moved away and the sun made an appearance and so we drove down to Gwenver Beach. The little private car park has one of the best views anywhere and if you want you could just sit on their provided bench and picnic table all day and take in the scene. If it's raining you can sit in the car and watch the changing scene in front of you. For the energetic there is a steep descent to the beach on a stepped path. Today the sea was rough and just a few people down on the sand watching the waves crash over Aire Point. It was very hazy over the sea, largely made up of salt spray, not great for cameras. I went out on to the rocks on the right of the beach, looking patterns in the pools and gullies but you couldn't ignore the swell hitting Aire Point as well.
As the day wore on the rain moved away and the sun made an appearance and so we drove down to Gwenver Beach. The little private car park has one of the best views anywhere and if you want you could just sit on their provided bench and picnic table all day and take in the scene. If it's raining you can sit in the car and watch the changing scene in front of you. For the energetic there is a steep descent to the beach on a stepped path. Today the sea was rough and just a few people down on the sand watching the waves crash over Aire Point. It was very hazy over the sea, largely made up of salt spray, not great for cameras. I went out on to the rocks on the right of the beach, looking patterns in the pools and gullies but you couldn't ignore the swell hitting Aire Point as well.
Thursday 23rd December:
Back up to Bosigran today in yet another different set of conditions. I left Penzance in sunshine, drove through thick fog, arrived at Bosigran with fog to the west and sunshine to the east. Getting out of the car I met Tanya and Saffron from Porthleven and we walked down to the cliffs together. From there they climbed up onto the main headland and I went the other way up on the top of Commando Ridge. The swell was starting to build up and there was some lovely light on the cliffs although later the fog moved more my way and cut the light off. There were four climbers on the sheer cliffs- you don't often see them there at this time of year- and I could see Tanya and Saffron up at the top.
As dusk approached I was thinking of packing up when a mixed group of eight climbers arrived and began descending Commando Ridge to sea level and were going to climb it in the dark. Would love to have got an image of a line of climbers with head torches coming up the ridge but I didn't have a light or the right lenses with me for night time photography.
Back up to Bosigran today in yet another different set of conditions. I left Penzance in sunshine, drove through thick fog, arrived at Bosigran with fog to the west and sunshine to the east. Getting out of the car I met Tanya and Saffron from Porthleven and we walked down to the cliffs together. From there they climbed up onto the main headland and I went the other way up on the top of Commando Ridge. The swell was starting to build up and there was some lovely light on the cliffs although later the fog moved more my way and cut the light off. There were four climbers on the sheer cliffs- you don't often see them there at this time of year- and I could see Tanya and Saffron up at the top.
As dusk approached I was thinking of packing up when a mixed group of eight climbers arrived and began descending Commando Ridge to sea level and were going to climb it in the dark. Would love to have got an image of a line of climbers with head torches coming up the ridge but I didn't have a light or the right lenses with me for night time photography.
Wednesday 22nd December:
A completely different day today with a thick mist, some rain and a moderate southerly breeze. In the afternoon I went up to Bosigran and wandered through the stunted trees down to the cliffs and Commando Ridge. Some parts of the scene looked quite colourful as the mist made what colour there was very saturated. The green weed in the stream looked almost unreal. Some gorse already flowering and the dead bracken fronds and some tall grasses very orange. Looking back inland and up to Carn Galver the mist was thicker and the scene quite atmospheric. I've edited one set of images in colour to illustrate the saturation and one set in black and white to show the mood.
A completely different day today with a thick mist, some rain and a moderate southerly breeze. In the afternoon I went up to Bosigran and wandered through the stunted trees down to the cliffs and Commando Ridge. Some parts of the scene looked quite colourful as the mist made what colour there was very saturated. The green weed in the stream looked almost unreal. Some gorse already flowering and the dead bracken fronds and some tall grasses very orange. Looking back inland and up to Carn Galver the mist was thicker and the scene quite atmospheric. I've edited one set of images in colour to illustrate the saturation and one set in black and white to show the mood.
Tuesday 21st December:
In the wind today it was freezing but if you could get out of it, as I did, it was much warmer. After lunch I went up to Botallack and made my way down the cliff below Wheal Edward engine house and on to a flat ledge. From here you get good views along the cliff to the Crowns engine houses. The light was a bit flat to start with but about an hour before sunset there was a period of lovely golden light that lit up the bracken and the granite of the various engine houses. As well as traditional lenses I also took my Lensbaby with me that gives results where only a small area of the image is in focus.The last two images in the thumbnail gallery show this.
The last photo shows a plaque commemorating the Wheal Owles disaster of January 1893 when 19 miners lost their lives. If you would like to know more click on the this link Wheal Owles disaster
In the wind today it was freezing but if you could get out of it, as I did, it was much warmer. After lunch I went up to Botallack and made my way down the cliff below Wheal Edward engine house and on to a flat ledge. From here you get good views along the cliff to the Crowns engine houses. The light was a bit flat to start with but about an hour before sunset there was a period of lovely golden light that lit up the bracken and the granite of the various engine houses. As well as traditional lenses I also took my Lensbaby with me that gives results where only a small area of the image is in focus.The last two images in the thumbnail gallery show this.
The last photo shows a plaque commemorating the Wheal Owles disaster of January 1893 when 19 miners lost their lives. If you would like to know more click on the this link Wheal Owles disaster
Monday 20th December:
A cold, grey day with a strong easterly wind, a real chill in the air. I drove off down to Lands End where I knew I would have a little shelter if I got myself under the cliffs. I wandered around trying some slightly different compositions to normal and took some handheld and others on the tripod with longer exposures up to 60 seconds. I tried some very long exposures of 5 minutes or more but there was too much wind and the images weren't sharp at all. Black and white again today as the colours were very flat and dull. No sign of the sun at all, even approaching sunset the colours never changed and the sky stayed grey.
A cold, grey day with a strong easterly wind, a real chill in the air. I drove off down to Lands End where I knew I would have a little shelter if I got myself under the cliffs. I wandered around trying some slightly different compositions to normal and took some handheld and others on the tripod with longer exposures up to 60 seconds. I tried some very long exposures of 5 minutes or more but there was too much wind and the images weren't sharp at all. Black and white again today as the colours were very flat and dull. No sign of the sun at all, even approaching sunset the colours never changed and the sky stayed grey.
Saturday 18th December:
An even stronger easterly wind today but at least the sun was out this morning when I had a photo walk across Gwithian Beach. The wind was blowing hard off the land creating sand blizzards and whipping the tops off the waves. Dog walkers and surfers out in force with a young girl practicing galloping her pony along the beach, under the supervision of her mother. They stopped later at the Hungry Horsebox Cafe for a well deserved hot drink. The strength of the wind made handheld photography very difficult, especially as I was using a long lens.
An even stronger easterly wind today but at least the sun was out this morning when I had a photo walk across Gwithian Beach. The wind was blowing hard off the land creating sand blizzards and whipping the tops off the waves. Dog walkers and surfers out in force with a young girl practicing galloping her pony along the beach, under the supervision of her mother. They stopped later at the Hungry Horsebox Cafe for a well deserved hot drink. The strength of the wind made handheld photography very difficult, especially as I was using a long lens.
Friday 17th December:
After lunch we drove down to Gwithian, at the other end of the beach from where I was yesterday. It was forecast to be sunny all afternoon but all we got was a blue grey cloudy sky and to add to that the sea was much calmer than yesterday which was a real disappointment. I spent an hour or so on the sand dunes looking for some different compositions and came across a couple of small sea stacks that have appeared as the dunes have eroded. Again lots of surfers out but mostly beginners at this end of the beach so a lot falling off a few seconds after standing up. Quite a few seals in amongst them very curious about all the activity.
After lunch we drove down to Gwithian, at the other end of the beach from where I was yesterday. It was forecast to be sunny all afternoon but all we got was a blue grey cloudy sky and to add to that the sea was much calmer than yesterday which was a real disappointment. I spent an hour or so on the sand dunes looking for some different compositions and came across a couple of small sea stacks that have appeared as the dunes have eroded. Again lots of surfers out but mostly beginners at this end of the beach so a lot falling off a few seconds after standing up. Quite a few seals in amongst them very curious about all the activity.
Thursday 16th December:
The wind had swung around to the south east today and the sun had unexpectedly come out. After lunch I went over to Godrevy where there were some big waves with the tops being swept back by the offshore wind. Plenty of surfers out being battered and also, more unusually, a couple of surfing stand up paddle boarders who were obviously very good. Below you can see a sequence of one of them catching a great wave that he picked up a long way out and rode it all the way to shore right next to me, in fact he came out of the water and we had a quick chat, so hopefully he will see the sequence.
After being distracted by the surfers I then spent some time capturing the lighthouse in some lovely winter light and also some of the big waves and white horses. The best conditions for photography for a while only spoilt late on by a bank of cloud/fog that appeared in the west and snuffed out the sun an hour before sunset.
The wind had swung around to the south east today and the sun had unexpectedly come out. After lunch I went over to Godrevy where there were some big waves with the tops being swept back by the offshore wind. Plenty of surfers out being battered and also, more unusually, a couple of surfing stand up paddle boarders who were obviously very good. Below you can see a sequence of one of them catching a great wave that he picked up a long way out and rode it all the way to shore right next to me, in fact he came out of the water and we had a quick chat, so hopefully he will see the sequence.
After being distracted by the surfers I then spent some time capturing the lighthouse in some lovely winter light and also some of the big waves and white horses. The best conditions for photography for a while only spoilt late on by a bank of cloud/fog that appeared in the west and snuffed out the sun an hour before sunset.
Click on the small images to enlarge
Wednesday 15th December:
A grey day walk along Sennen Beach this afternoon. Not a sign of light and as quiet as I've seen it for a long time. I presume next week we will have an influx of Christmas visitors but today a dozen or so surfers and a few dog walkers and that was about it.
A grey day walk along Sennen Beach this afternoon. Not a sign of light and as quiet as I've seen it for a long time. I presume next week we will have an influx of Christmas visitors but today a dozen or so surfers and a few dog walkers and that was about it.
Tuesday 14th December:
When Garry Harwood contacted me yesterday it reminded me that it was about time I paid a visit to Kenidjack and so that's where I went this afternoon. When I arrived it was quite foggy but it looked like the sun was about to break through. I took a few images from the "artists spot" and then went out to the quarry at the end, facing Cape Cornwall. It was here I met Nathan, a young teacher from South Australia, who was in Cornwall looking at all the mining heritage. Thousands of Cornish miners emigrated to the Adelaide region when the mines in Cornwall were becoming unprofitable and large deposits of copper had been found at Burra, north of Adelaide, in 1842. South Australia still has really deep Cornish connections-including a love of pasties!
After a chat with Nathan he went off to look at the Crowns Engine Houses. As I was following along the same path there was a burst of sunlight that lit up the mines across the bay but that was as good as it got as the fog really came down and cut visibility to just a few yards. When I reached the the cliffs above Crowns you couldn't see the mines or the sea. I went down the path where I met Nathan coming up and going off for a mine tour at Geevor. I had to get within a few yards of the engine houses just to see their outlines.
When Garry Harwood contacted me yesterday it reminded me that it was about time I paid a visit to Kenidjack and so that's where I went this afternoon. When I arrived it was quite foggy but it looked like the sun was about to break through. I took a few images from the "artists spot" and then went out to the quarry at the end, facing Cape Cornwall. It was here I met Nathan, a young teacher from South Australia, who was in Cornwall looking at all the mining heritage. Thousands of Cornish miners emigrated to the Adelaide region when the mines in Cornwall were becoming unprofitable and large deposits of copper had been found at Burra, north of Adelaide, in 1842. South Australia still has really deep Cornish connections-including a love of pasties!
After a chat with Nathan he went off to look at the Crowns Engine Houses. As I was following along the same path there was a burst of sunlight that lit up the mines across the bay but that was as good as it got as the fog really came down and cut visibility to just a few yards. When I reached the the cliffs above Crowns you couldn't see the mines or the sea. I went down the path where I met Nathan coming up and going off for a mine tour at Geevor. I had to get within a few yards of the engine houses just to see their outlines.
Monday Afternoon:
After lunch I made my way up to the north coast and parked in front of the Gurnards Head Hotel. From here I made my way down across the fields to Gurnards Head itself. It was a very dull blue light today but there was still quite a big sea running. The two panoramas below I've left in colour but the other images have again been edited in black and white.
After lunch I made my way up to the north coast and parked in front of the Gurnards Head Hotel. From here I made my way down across the fields to Gurnards Head itself. It was a very dull blue light today but there was still quite a big sea running. The two panoramas below I've left in colour but the other images have again been edited in black and white.
Monday 13th December:
I had an email today from St Just artist Garry Harwood. Earlier in the year I met Garry up at Kenidjack where he was painting at a spot on the east side of the valley. Garry explained he was in the middle of a long term project to document the view down the valley to Cape Cornwall in the ever changing conditions and seasons. If you look at the Kenidjack page on this site you can read a bit more about this and see lots of images I've since taken from the "Artists Spot" and other parts of the valley.
In his email today Garry has sent me four samples of his "Cape Sketches". He hopes to publish a number of his sketches in book form in the future. http://www.garryharwood.co.uk/
I had an email today from St Just artist Garry Harwood. Earlier in the year I met Garry up at Kenidjack where he was painting at a spot on the east side of the valley. Garry explained he was in the middle of a long term project to document the view down the valley to Cape Cornwall in the ever changing conditions and seasons. If you look at the Kenidjack page on this site you can read a bit more about this and see lots of images I've since taken from the "Artists Spot" and other parts of the valley.
In his email today Garry has sent me four samples of his "Cape Sketches". He hopes to publish a number of his sketches in book form in the future. http://www.garryharwood.co.uk/
Sunday 12th December:
A dark and grey weekend nearly meant I didn't go out at all but on Sunday afternoon we made a last minute trip up to Zennor. From the village we walked out to Zennor Head where the wind was offshore and blowing the top off the waves as they came into the bay. It was difficult keeping the camera steady as the wind threatened to blow us off the headland. The cliffs towards Gurnards Head were taking a battering by sets of waves that appeared every ten minutes or so. I've left the first image in colour to show you what it was really like but the rest I've edited in black and white which is how they were shot.
A dark and grey weekend nearly meant I didn't go out at all but on Sunday afternoon we made a last minute trip up to Zennor. From the village we walked out to Zennor Head where the wind was offshore and blowing the top off the waves as they came into the bay. It was difficult keeping the camera steady as the wind threatened to blow us off the headland. The cliffs towards Gurnards Head were taking a battering by sets of waves that appeared every ten minutes or so. I've left the first image in colour to show you what it was really like but the rest I've edited in black and white which is how they were shot.
Friday December 10th:
Still a very strong north westerly blowing so I spent my third day in a row at Porthcurno. This time I spent the afternoon clambering up, down and all around the headland immediately to to the left of the beach. I tried to get down on to the sand in Green Bay but it was just too slippery right at the bottom so I had to content myself with being just above the sand. The afternoon can be split into four sections. First of all it was dull, hence the black and white images, then we had a burst of sun, then a dozen or so surfers arrived below me and finally a splash of golden light as the sun disappeared behind the Minack Theatre.
Still a very strong north westerly blowing so I spent my third day in a row at Porthcurno. This time I spent the afternoon clambering up, down and all around the headland immediately to to the left of the beach. I tried to get down on to the sand in Green Bay but it was just too slippery right at the bottom so I had to content myself with being just above the sand. The afternoon can be split into four sections. First of all it was dull, hence the black and white images, then we had a burst of sun, then a dozen or so surfers arrived below me and finally a splash of golden light as the sun disappeared behind the Minack Theatre.
Catching a wave
Thursday 9th December:
A very different day today and it would have been easy just to stay home. It rained for most of the day but at
2 o'clock in the afternoon I made the effort to go out in the wet. I drove down to Porthcurno but this time followed the coast path up the hill to the left of the beach and then made my way along to Pedn Vounder. Luckily for me, for most of the time I was out, the rain became more of a heavy drizzle or Cornish mizzle as its called locally. You don't see many images of the bay in these conditions, as most photographers visit here in the sunshine to capture the golden sand and blue seas.
I've edited four images and done one in colour and one in black and white which do you prefer, with images taken in these conditions?
A very different day today and it would have been easy just to stay home. It rained for most of the day but at
2 o'clock in the afternoon I made the effort to go out in the wet. I drove down to Porthcurno but this time followed the coast path up the hill to the left of the beach and then made my way along to Pedn Vounder. Luckily for me, for most of the time I was out, the rain became more of a heavy drizzle or Cornish mizzle as its called locally. You don't see many images of the bay in these conditions, as most photographers visit here in the sunshine to capture the golden sand and blue seas.
I've edited four images and done one in colour and one in black and white which do you prefer, with images taken in these conditions?
Wednesday 8th December:
Storm Barra might have subsided somewhat but the sea was still big and there was some beautiful light to go with it. I went down to Porthcurno after lunch where the beach was largely out of the wind with patches of light constantly appearing and disappearing along the cliffs and over the breaking waves. A dozen or more expert surfers enjoying the fantastic conditions as the surf was being held up by the offshore wind creating some fantastic barrels. I spoke to one young photographer, originally from Hereford, who was out in the surf being battered by the huge breakers. He was using a camera in a waterproof housing and taking photos from inside the barrels. I've asked him to send me his instagram details and if he does I will post them here.
Quite a few other people around with their dogs and lots of others in that mobile phone in the air pose as they try to capture the scene and action. The golden light on Logan Rock at the end was beautiful.
Storm Barra might have subsided somewhat but the sea was still big and there was some beautiful light to go with it. I went down to Porthcurno after lunch where the beach was largely out of the wind with patches of light constantly appearing and disappearing along the cliffs and over the breaking waves. A dozen or more expert surfers enjoying the fantastic conditions as the surf was being held up by the offshore wind creating some fantastic barrels. I spoke to one young photographer, originally from Hereford, who was out in the surf being battered by the huge breakers. He was using a camera in a waterproof housing and taking photos from inside the barrels. I've asked him to send me his instagram details and if he does I will post them here.
Quite a few other people around with their dogs and lots of others in that mobile phone in the air pose as they try to capture the scene and action. The golden light on Logan Rock at the end was beautiful.
Tuesday 7th December:
Storm Barra battered the country today and I made an afternoon trip down to Sennen. For the first hour or so I made my way along the cliffs-with great difficulty-towards Lands End. The wind, meant at times, I had to stop walking and wait for it to drop enough to carry on. I climbed down the cliffs and found a spot behind some rocks which gave me a little bit of shelter. The sun wasn't out to start with but every now and again it appeared lit up the cliffs.
After a battering here I went down to Sennen Cove and made a cup of tea before making my way up above the beach where you can get a view along the village to the cliffs past the lifeboat station. The strength of the wind ruined the waves somewhat as they were blown apart rather than reaching huge heights.
Storm Barra battered the country today and I made an afternoon trip down to Sennen. For the first hour or so I made my way along the cliffs-with great difficulty-towards Lands End. The wind, meant at times, I had to stop walking and wait for it to drop enough to carry on. I climbed down the cliffs and found a spot behind some rocks which gave me a little bit of shelter. The sun wasn't out to start with but every now and again it appeared lit up the cliffs.
After a battering here I went down to Sennen Cove and made a cup of tea before making my way up above the beach where you can get a view along the village to the cliffs past the lifeboat station. The strength of the wind ruined the waves somewhat as they were blown apart rather than reaching huge heights.
Monday 6th December:
Showers, sunshine and a strong north westerly wind blowing. Tomorrow Storm Barra is due, today I went down to Porthchapel Beach where the wind was over the top and when the sun was out it was really warm. The sea building up as the tide rose and even got one over the top of my wellies. Used the ridges created by the stream at first and processed them as black & whites as the sun was behind the clouds. Later, after a couple of hefty showers, I had some lovely golden light for a while but no real sunset as there was a lot of cloud on the horizon.
Showers, sunshine and a strong north westerly wind blowing. Tomorrow Storm Barra is due, today I went down to Porthchapel Beach where the wind was over the top and when the sun was out it was really warm. The sea building up as the tide rose and even got one over the top of my wellies. Used the ridges created by the stream at first and processed them as black & whites as the sun was behind the clouds. Later, after a couple of hefty showers, I had some lovely golden light for a while but no real sunset as there was a lot of cloud on the horizon.
Saturday 4th December:
Yet another visit to Porthleven to escape the northerly gale- mostly colour today.
The car park was free for Christmas shoppers, which upset the man I spoke to as he had just put £5 in for whole day parking! The market stalls were up and running, people getting ready for a bike ride and numerous dog walkers around on the beach. In between the hail showers it was very pleasant.
One of the Harbour market stalls was a young photographer called Tom Harper who had some lovely images and calendars for sale. We were particularly taken by a large print of Newlyn Harbour, taken almost at water level and on a day of dramatic dark clouds but with some lovely light bringing out the rich colours of the boats. Have a look at Tom's site. www.wallsofwater.uk
Yet another visit to Porthleven to escape the northerly gale- mostly colour today.
The car park was free for Christmas shoppers, which upset the man I spoke to as he had just put £5 in for whole day parking! The market stalls were up and running, people getting ready for a bike ride and numerous dog walkers around on the beach. In between the hail showers it was very pleasant.
One of the Harbour market stalls was a young photographer called Tom Harper who had some lovely images and calendars for sale. We were particularly taken by a large print of Newlyn Harbour, taken almost at water level and on a day of dramatic dark clouds but with some lovely light bringing out the rich colours of the boats. Have a look at Tom's site. www.wallsofwater.uk
Thursday 3rd December:
An infrared photo walk around Porthleven Harbour. Back to the same place but this time armed with my infrared camera as there were some lovely dramatic clouds scudding across the sky. When you convert the images to black and white it tends to emphasise the drama in the sky. Plenty of visitors around and all the gift shops and galleries geared up to catch the Christmas market. We also walked up and around the backstreets to get some different views. All the old seaside villages are built on hills that climb up from the harbours and the slopes often provide the most interesting perspectives.
An infrared photo walk around Porthleven Harbour. Back to the same place but this time armed with my infrared camera as there were some lovely dramatic clouds scudding across the sky. When you convert the images to black and white it tends to emphasise the drama in the sky. Plenty of visitors around and all the gift shops and galleries geared up to catch the Christmas market. We also walked up and around the backstreets to get some different views. All the old seaside villages are built on hills that climb up from the harbours and the slopes often provide the most interesting perspectives.
A couple of handheld panoramas
Wednesday December 1st:
The last day of November was a write off but today saw a slight improvement in the weather. The north west wind was still very fresh and really cold but the showers were well spread out. After lunch we drove off down to Porthleven where we were sheltered from the worst of the wind. The first time I have taken images here. The sky was very bright despite the clouds speeding over.
A number of surfers on the dangerous waves at the back of the pier and a good number of visitors and locals out enjoying the splashes of sun. We were even greeted by a double rainbow over the back of the harbour as you can see at the top of this page.
The last day of November was a write off but today saw a slight improvement in the weather. The north west wind was still very fresh and really cold but the showers were well spread out. After lunch we drove off down to Porthleven where we were sheltered from the worst of the wind. The first time I have taken images here. The sky was very bright despite the clouds speeding over.
A number of surfers on the dangerous waves at the back of the pier and a good number of visitors and locals out enjoying the splashes of sun. We were even greeted by a double rainbow over the back of the harbour as you can see at the top of this page.
To see the rest of the year look at the 2021 Diary page where I have amalgamated the other sections