Summer Vacation, Day 16: Perran Sands

July 26, 2026 · 2 min read · 3 visits

Today we stayed at the campsite and, it being a rest day, we explored the beach.

It was a lovely walk down to the beach where I spotted my first stonechat. Right at the foot of the cliffs was where Tilian, shortly after 100 m, spotted a guy with a metal detector. Tilian being Tilian was drawn immediately to him and observed him silently for 30 minutes, then started digging himself through a stone bed at a freshwater inflow. This lucky kid found coins himself without a detector - he told us this was the best day of vacation so far. Kellin played with a group of other kids at the same spot and built a dam. Nadine and me enjoyed the distraction to watch birds, waves and the busyness of the beach. I can’t believe it’s already day sixteen of our journey.

RNLI lifeguard riding a quad bike across the beach

Three RNLI lifeguards on their quad bikes facing the sea

Aika chasing a tennis ball on the wet sand — Aika chasing her tennis ball

Black-headed gull standing in the sand — Black-headed gull

Male stonechat perched on a dry stem — Stonechat

Rusty pipe below an orange-stained cliff face with water running down

Tilian searching for coins between the rocks

Corroded coins and an old nail — Tilian’s coin yield

A local metal detectorist showing a hand full of corroded coins — The treasure hunter’s coin yield

Rock pipit bathing in fresh water between the rocks — Rock pipit

Kitesurfer's kite over the waves in front of the cliffs

Topics: Travel, Photography