Raid on secret pool

It was low tide at Burgh Island, and we decided to swim round for an illicit guerilla raid on the Mermaid Pool, the hotel's private tidal lagoon. We felt rather Bond-like as we swam through gulleys and then scaled the rocks to the top of the block wall - complete with 'private' sign - before jumping into the pool on the other side. The water was beautifully green and clear. We did a few leaps off the diving platform in the middle, and started to draw the attention of hotel guests who came to their windows to watch. At that point it was time for a sharp exit.

Cowrie country

After catching the waves at Bantham (see previous post) we decided to go cowrie hunting. We climbed round to the adjacent rocky beach I call "Cowrie Cove". Cowries are beautiful, mysterious, tiny and elusive shells which possess huge allure - for us at least. (see this piece I wrote about them for the Telegraph some years back). We set ourselves the challenge of finding ten each, but in fact found a grand total of 100 between us. See if you can do a bit of online cowrie hunting by spotting them in this picture. (mind you I have made it very easy for you).

View from a surfboard

The surf was boiling and beautiful at Bantham today. The sun was shining brilliantly too, and the beach was balmy, which was odd because when you've got lots of surf, you've usually got lots of wind too. We headed into the waves with our body boards, and had a spiffing time zooming up the beach at regular intervals. I thought it would be interesting to try and film myself from the surfboard. Watch the results...