My Favourite Sea View The Island Newquay (Newquay in General)

Member Name: manlybeach

Product:	Newquay in General
Date:	21/11/08 (394 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Stunning scenery

Disadvantages: Very hilly if you have mobility problems

I love being beside the sea it's my idea of heaven. Just sitting watching the waves crash up against the rocks and flow gently back and forth over the sands is so peaceful and relaxing. If I ever won the lottery I would buy myself a house overlooking the sea so I could see it hear it and smell it whenever I wanted to.
In 2002 we had had a particularly tough time when my dad was diagnosed with cancer. I moved in with him to look after him but he deteriorated so quickly and sadly died a week later. From first being diagnosed to his death took only thee months and I was left feeling inadaquate and that I should have done more that I had let him down. I entered a very dark hole of depression where I had no interest in anything and I could not see any way out .

My husband and I had never had a proper holiday and we decided a good break might be just what we needed to help get over the trauma of the last few months so decided to go to Newquay in Cornwall for a week.
We travelled with National buses on a package trip and although the journey was extremely long (10 hours) when we eventually got to our destination and got off the bus I looked to the view across the road from our hotel and I was amazed. It was absolutely beautiful with a panoramic view of the beach below, the very high cliffs surrounding it and curving right around to show other beaches in the area as well .
And there were loads of surfers! Having lived in Australia for a few years when I was a child I felt immediately at home there and in a lot of ways Newquay reminded me of Oz with it's laid back atmosphere the glorious weather we had whilst we were there and the diversity of nationalities we came across indeed a lot of them being Australian who lived and worked there.

After putting our stuff away in the room we decided to take a walk and see the sights. There are ten beaches in and around Newquay so I was in seventh heaven! As we progressed along the road I happened to look to an opening on my right and I was stunned at what I saw. Now I am not one for for using the "wow" word but this was the word that came out of my mouth at the unexpected beauty of what I was seeing.
There was a long grassed area where people of all ages were eating icecreams sun bathing and just generally chilling out but beyond that was a huge rock jutting out of the sea bed with a solitary house nestled snugly on top of it. This was The Island.

The Island is connected to the mainland by a suspension bridge and the house on it is owned by Lord and Lady Long. I wouldn't fancy the idea of walking along that bridge on a cold windy day as i'm terrified of heights but the view from there must be amazing.
Below the Island is the Towan beach which is a popular family beach and one where dogs are welcome too which isn't the case with all beaches. When the tide is out you can clamber onto the rocks where there are small rock pools for the kids to investigate and there is even a small cave. There is a seating area where you can get something to eat and hire boogie boards etc and a lifeguard on duty during the summer months. The Blue Reef Aquarium is also situated here where you can see all manner of aquatic life from crabs to sharks . There is also an upstairs cafe in here where you have a marvelous view of the surrounding area.

Sitting on the green above the beach you have a very good vantage point to see all around. The busy harbour to the right filled with little fishing boats and pleasure cruisers. Sea lions regularly follow the boats into the harbour and can be seen clapping their fins together and barking at the fishermen in an attempt to secure some tasty fishy bits off them much to the amusement of onlookers! Beyond this is the imposing Headlands Hotel perched on the end of a far cliff and situated beside the world famous surfing beach the Fistral.
On the aproach to the green there is a tiny shop which sells the most delicious creamy icecream and one where you can buy a variety of sandwiches including locally caught crab. The green itself has seats dotted all over and is a popular place for locals and visitors alike. There is a bandstand where the local brass band often perform and whilst i'm not really into brass bands I must admit sitting in the sunshine, icecream in hand, and listening to their rendition of Queen songs made it a perfect afterenoon.

Although there are usually lots of things going on I always feel totally relaxed here with the natural beauty of the area and the gentle sound of the sea flowing back and forth. I can't think of anywhere else I would rather be.
Yes there must be wonderous sights in exotic locations around the world as indeed there are many in Newquay but for me The Island is the one that stopped me in my tracks and in a way saved saved my sanity. When I am there I feel at peace and that maybe the world is not such a bad place. It helped me to get out of the black hole I had been in and once again see the beauty around me. I felt much calmer than I had done in months and although I was still grieving for my dad I could see some light at the end of the tunnel. This is why The Island is my favourite sea view.

Thank you for reading.
manlybeach

Summary: Beautiful views right on our own doorstep