Looking from the cliff tops toward Bude

Whilst on holiday on Bude early this summer I took the opportunity to stretch my legs and get out to take some evening photos. Girls in bed, I kitted myself out with camera and tripod in search of something reasonable to take back to prove I’m not insane!
Our holiday cottage was located on the edge of Bude and only a short distance from cliffs which take you north of Bude.

The land is owned by the National Trust and access to the cliff tops, right to the edge, is easy. This was good, as I wanted to be down on the beach when the sunset to get some nice beachy, rocky photos with a dramatic sunset in the background. However, a being a little before sunset I decided to take a walk along the cliff edge and take a few photos down onto the beach.

Sunset over the rocky beach near Bude

There have been a few instances people getting stuck in the many coves and hideaways at the base of the cliffs in this area. It is easy to see why when you’re down there as the beach is flat and the tide comes in quickly cutting off the few paths to the top of the cliffs. So I planned my escape route and ventured done to the beach.

The beach is fantastic to take pictures of, with rocky outcrops protruding from the sand like an ancient sea monsters come to rest. Add to that a retreating tide and wet rocks to reflect the sun light it’s a good place to get those perfect shots. Armed with my wide angle lens and tripod I spent nearly an hour taking shots on the beach. By the time I left it was dark, the 30 second exposures were getting a little tiresome especially as I was bracketing as well.

On reflection, it was time well spent. It didn’t take long to pick a picture which is now hanging in our dining room! I did go out again later in the week with Claire, going onto the south cliffs, but it was a bit of a disappointment in terms of picture potential, however I’ll leave this first post with a panorama from the south cliffs on that very windy and cloudy evening, showing the breakwater and main beach leading up-to the town.

Panorama over Bude