The Sea - A Force of Nature

The sea and coast can be a fantastic place to have fun, relax and exercise. However, it can be a dangerous and unpredictable place. Sadly we have lost too many lives to the sea this year. Accidents happen and for those that know me I am prone to more than my fair share! Although this is usually down to my clumsiness and rushing around trying to do too much too quickly! When venturing out to the coast there are few things we can do to ensure we keep ourselves, our family and furry friends safe so that we can all return home together to enjoy a well earned beer or G&T after a great day out.

I was recently contacted by Ryan Blundell the Founder of Tideschart.com and having looked at his website I have added the link on our 'Around the Area' page to assist our guests: Bude Tide Times, Tides for Fishing, High Tide and Low Tide Tables - Cornwall - England - United Kingdom (tideschart.com) This website is a really good starting point before you head out to the coast. It gives you loads of info on tide times, sunset/sunrise, weather, surf report and much more. 

It is also worth familiarising yourself with ocean conditions if you are intending to enter the sea be it for surfing, diving, sailing or just a splash around on the edge of the sea. Kernow Weather Team (KWT) ( Accurate Weather Forecasts | Kernow Weather Team (kernow-weather-team.co.uk ) are an independently run weather team based in Cornwall and I always keep an eye on their Facebook page for alerts and warnings.

I was recently made aware of KWTs Oceanic Wave website by my mum who, like me, spends a lot of time on the beach and coast. We are always deeply saddened when we hear of a tragedy at sea and on our twice weekly walks over this Summer it feels like not a walk has gone by without us reflecting on the latest loss as we sit on a bench looking out to sea. It was my mum's suggestion that a good blog would be to provide helpful informative information and links to ensure our guests can plan their ventures out and about and stay safe.

It is hard not to be writing this blog without feeling like I am coming across as all doom and gloom about the coast and sea but I feel that I cannot make an apology for writing such an important blog. I would prefer to ensure all my guests and their furry friends went home together at the end of their stay. Too many families visiting Cornwall this year have gone home without a loved one or a cherished furry friend.

KWTs Oceanic Wave Home: Your Ultimate Hub for Ocean Data and Insights (oceanic-wave.com) has real time information on wave conditions, swell forecasts, currents and wind patterns. It also has a very helpful page on the hot topic of Bathing Water Quality. Don't forget we also have a great team of RNLI Lifeguards manning many of our beaches. In my previous blog 'Dog Friendly Beaches' I provided the link to a Cornwall Beach Guide which will tell you if the beach you plan to visit has lifeguard cover. Widemouth Bay has lifeguard cover Easter bank holiday, weekends during April and then daily from 5 May to 30 September. Ensuring you visit a lifeguard manned beach really will make your visit a lot more relaxing and reassuring for you.

HM Coastguard has a detailed website with great tips and advice specific to your watersport: Sea safety | HM Coastguard UK and also provides beach safety tips, a summary of the beach flags and signs you will see when visiting the beach. It also has information and a video about rip currents which are a major cause of accidental drowning. Many years ago my father and an off duty lifeguard prevented what could have been a tragedy by rescuing a group of school children visiting Bude who had been swept out out sea by what some claim to be the 7th wave, being much larger than all others, but in reality and quite simply  - waves are just very unpredictable (Many a time have I had water in my shoes when I had my back turned to the waves!). All were no doubt very shocked by what had occurred but at least they all returned home safely to their parents.

It would be remiss of me not to mention our furry friends and keeping them safe. Remember just like us humans, some swim some don't. If unsure keep them away from the edge of the sea. They also don't have flip flops on and the sand can get extremely hot in the Summer. If you can't walk bare foot then it is too hot for them too.

It is also important to keep our furry family member on a lead on the cliffs, not only for their safety but for safety of livestock. I also find it very helpful to give my Molly her own  pack to carry her own water, collapsible bowl, treats, poo bags etc., if I am heading out for bit more than a short local stroll. @ruffwear do some really great quality ones Dog Packs | Backpacks & Saddlebags | Ruffwear I added a little light to Molly's pack just in case it take me longer to get home and I start to lose light - or in case something worse should happen and we get separated.

A few minutes preparation for a day out will make it so much more enjoyable, relaxing and most importantly safe. Those of you that know me will know I am often heard saying 'Fail to Prepare, Prepare to Fail'.

I really do hope that this blog helps at least one person and I wish you all an enjoyable visit to our beautiful coastline.