Tofino - Incinerator Beach (Long Beach)

When is a good time to visit the Tofino-Ucluelet/Long Beach area? As far as we're concerned, ANYTIME! This postcard was taken on one of our "storm watching" visits. Specifically, Valentine's Day.

The thing about visits to Long Beach is, you can't let the weather deter you. Prepare for all sorts of weather, especially rain, and you'll be fine.

Incinerator Beach (Long Beach), south of Tofino 2014-1-02-14

Silva Bay - The Southern Tip of Gaviola Island

On this cloudy late August day, after exploring the bay on Vance Island, our kayak journey took us to the southern tip of Gaviola Island (part of the Flat Top Islands group near Silva Bay) . This tiny beach is a nice mix of sandstone shelf and sand/broken shell pockets. Come here by kayak, and you are most likely to be alone. Although, a little further along the beach, there are a number of private homes.

Kayaking off the southern tip if Gaviola Island  2014-08-30

Tofino: Cox Bay

It really doesn't matter what time of year you visit Long Beach on Vancouver Island's west coast. Our favourite accommodation in Ucluelet (the Cabins at Terrace Beach) had a "Storm Watching" special on and we took advantage, inviting Barb and Sean to join us.

No matter the season, the beaches here - in this case Cox Bay - are always fun to stroll along. This postcard, taken in early February, features low tide and a rocky outcrop near the northern end of the Cox Bay beach.

Cox Bay beach details at low tide 2014-02-02

Portugal: Sandy Beaches of Almograve

After a few days near the beaches of Nazare, we had travelled inland to Tomar, Portugal. We were duly impressed by the Convent of Christ and the Castelo dos Templários but, after two nights, it was time to head back to the coast. An email from Gail had put us on to Vila Nova de Milfontes, where she and Darryl were staying. We decided to meet them there. Vila Nova de Milfontes did not disappoint. On one of the days of our stay, we did a bit of exploring. At the end of one road, we found the excellent beach of Almograve.

2014-05-14

Portugal; Beach at Nazare

After a few days in Lisbon, we picked up our rental car and headed out of the city. Hanne had picked out a hotel over the internet after I'd mentioned a preference for staying somewhere along the coast. The longer we stayed in Portugal, the more we realised that "by the sea or along the the coast" was an easy target. Much of Portugal is coastal. Thus, for Coast Heads such as we, a perfect place to holiday. Here, in Nazare, in early May, the beaches are as good as deserted.

The beach at Nazare, Portugal 2014-05-08