Secret Beach Revisited - And Another Secret

23 comments

Last March I posted a blog about a picnic on the cliffs and a ‘secret beach’ we discovered. Well, we decided to revisit the area for another look, then take our picnic to a beach further along the coast where we could swim.

The walk along the top of the cliffs was as spectacular as ever, but I do hope the single wire ‘fences’ stop lovely animals like this from plunging into the sea!

We sometimes had to be careful where we placed our feet as some of the rocks were of the boot-slicing variety!

A little further on – and away from those rocks – we suddenly picked up an amazing sweet cloying scent and came across this plant. It looks similar to a Honeysuckle, but the flowers were very much smaller. Any ID anyone?

Pausing for a moment, we looked back to the direction we’d walked from and could see the lovely mountains in the background:

Still plenty of pretty plants around at this time of year:

We’d reached the point where we could see the ‘secret beach’ but had a rather precarious route to it – had I realised this was what we were walking over, I might have turned back!

Finally, having reached the beach we wandered around the rocks but were not able to get closer to the fissure where the sea sweeps in from beneath the cliff. Maybe it’ll be low tide for our next visit?

One last look back at the beach ….

…then we continued along the track until, glancing around, we suddenly saw this amazing place:

The limestone cliffs and mountains in this region are absolute warrens of caves and potholes, but this was the first cave we’d seen that hadn’t become a commercial tourist attraction – although the packed earth on the cave floor showed it was visited many times. Maybe not so ‘secret’ after all!

We could feel lunchtime coming on, so walked back over the cliffs – and over that precarious rock bridge – to the car, then drove on to a lovely flat safe beach for a swim and our picnic. No photos at this point as, for safety, I left the camera in the locked car but – the swim was lovely and surprisingly warm – so was the fresh tortilla!

10 Oct, 2012
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Comments

Mark61

looks fantastic great pictures:)))))

10 Oct, 2012

Bloomer

What a lovely place,Nariz..and so much character with all those wonderful caves and rocks..I don't think I could have gone over that bridge though.! glad you had a lovely day out :o)

10 Oct, 2012

Karenfrance

Absolutely stunning, Nariz...breathtaking, in fact.
What a beautiful part of the coastline. We've been to Hondaribia and St Sebastien, but we've never seen anything like this. When we were in Navarra this summer, I read that these mountains are so called because they were the first sight of Europe for the early sailors returning from America...I can just imagine how they must have felt...
It looks such a beautiful day too! Is it still warm there?

10 Oct, 2012

Oliveoil

That was a lovely walk and beautiful scenery, thank you. :O)

10 Oct, 2012

Cinderella

Yes, I agree with the others, a beautiful place, so picturesque and great photos Nariz.

10 Oct, 2012

Nariz

Thanks guys. :o) Yes, Karen, it's still warm(ish). It was much warmer yesterday than today though. :o( San Sebastian is a lovely city (I have a previous blog on a visit there) but our favourite place is our house in our village. VERY happy here. :oD

10 Oct, 2012

Sanbaz

fab place nariz and lovely photos, thanx for sharing :o))

10 Oct, 2012

Pamg

Risking life, limb....and boots was worth it for these stunning photo's

Thankyou Nariz x

10 Oct, 2012

Nariz

You're welcome guys. :o)

10 Oct, 2012

Scottish

Beautiful!!
I can't believe that you are out swanning about on beaches and having picnics - not to mention swimming and I've been busy all day wrapping up containers - it bloomin' freezing here.....lol :))))))
I'm only jealous by the way - that scenery is just gorgeous - pleased you had a great day :))

10 Oct, 2012

Lincslass

Fabulous photo`s of a beautiful place, those caves are like something out of a Terry Brookes novel, eerie but magical at the same time.
Thankyou Nariz for sharing your walk....

10 Oct, 2012

Juliernorth..

How lovely and terrifying in equal measures! Be careful at visiting in low tide just in case you get caught out! We have a causeway just up the county from us to Holy Island (Lindisfarne) which is tidal and visitors are forever having to be rescued - and their cars are not covered by insurance! Gives plenty of column inches in the local paper but so frustrating to see my donations to the RNLI spent on rescuing people who ignore the safety notices :-)

10 Oct, 2012

Nariz

Thanks Scottish, Lincslass & Julie. No problem with 'getting caught out' there Julie - there's a clear track from the beach back to the road and plenty of escape routes along the cliffs. It is amazing how some people appear to be blinkered against obvious dangers and written warnings. Something to do with "it can't happen to me" syndrome? ;o)

11 Oct, 2012

Sheilabub

Gorgeous place Nariz, and how brilliant to be having picnics and swims in October. Glad neither of you sprained an ankle on those rocks!

11 Oct, 2012

Hywel

Wonderful scenery. It's nice to find secluded beaches. That cave was interesting :o)

11 Oct, 2012

Nariz

Thanks Sheila and Hywel. Sheila, I was amazed that, not only were we able to swim in the sea, but that it was so gloriously warm! Evenings are decidedly chilly here now (jumper at the ready when taking wine onto the balcony!) so to have a day like that was magnificent ..... AND ..... I only realised today that it had been the 6th anniversary of our move to this wonderful place. Can't believe that we didn't realise what the date was, but so glad we used the day to do something special.
Hywel; you can bet we'll be back there at some point - with a torch so we can see further! This region is littered with secluded beaches - if you can climb down the cliffs to reach them! Perhaps what we need is a small boat so we can investigate the cliffs from the sea! ;o)

11 Oct, 2012

Hywel

Yes that would be a good idea :o)

11 Oct, 2012