Windbreak slideshow – click on arrows either side of image to view the set.
The British seem to love windbreaks.
I got a bit obsessed about them yesterday, on that rare thing: a windless, hot summer day on the beach in Cornwall, and yet we were surrounded by windbreaks.
Some people were sitting on the sea-side, some on the land-side, suggesting that windbreaks are as much about territory and privacy as keeping warm. Why would you block yourself off from a stunning view of St Ives Bay with Godrevy Lighthouse perched on its rocky island a short distance away? You could look at stripy nylon fabric in your own back yard.
One family had joined 4 or 5 long windbreaks together to create a windbreak city. Inside, all mod cons. Books, beer, barbecue.
Some favour the single short line, others pen themselves into a U shape. I’ve not seen anyone boxing themselves into a square, surrounded on all sides by windbreak, but it’s only a matter of time.
Occasionally you will see novelty fabric: boulders, a floral pattern, Cath Kidston fabric. These are mere interlopers. Everyone knows a true windbreak must have brightly-coloured horizontal stripes.
Me? I never take a windbreak, except occasionally on a sunset beach barbecue. But I do take a pop-up tent. Which I suppose is the same as fencing yourself in.
An Englishman’s home is his patch of sand demarcated with a windbreak, with tents, with towels – or as I saw yesterday – a large circle carved in the sand. I presume it was enchanted. If a non-family member stepped inside, they would turn to sand.
Update: happy to spot this colourful alternative to a windbreak – at least as far as providing shade is concerned – on Porthminster Beach:
You can view my complete set of windbreak photos here.