Author Archives: manonabeach

About manonabeach

On a beach…welcome to manonabeach.com, where I’ll regularly add video of my beach visits, so you can enjoy a flavour of the beach, even when you’re not there.

Sheringham beach

Season: summer

Bright sunshine was the order of the day for this visit. The beach is handy for the town, which is full of independent traders and at least one excellent fish ‘n chip shop. This is an affluent area, bordering the glamorous North Norfolk beaches and acting as a hub between the countryside and the coast. On this occasion an ebb tide showcased Sheringham’s flat, sandy beach and visitors thronged the narrow streets, which were decked with bunting. Time stood still for a moment.

What the beach means to Liz.

The scene at Sheringham.

Season: autumn

Sheringham is one of Norfolk’s best known seaside towns. It feels traditional and has a relaxed atmosphere. On and around the town’s main high street you’ll find good shops and ice cream parlours. At low tide there’s a sandy beach with rock pools. It’s worth taking a stroll along the clifftops, where there are fine views to the beach and its ridge of pebbles and beautiful, sea-washed sands. Sheringham was once a tiny fishing village, known as Sheringham Hythe; most people lived inland at the village of Upper Sheringham.

Contemplating the sea with Michael on the beach at Sheringham.

The scene on an autumn day by the sea.

Ganavan Sands

Season: summer

With views across to the hills of Mull, as well as to Lismore and mainland Morven behind, this is an excellent getaway beach for the townsfolk of Oban. It’s also a beautiful beach in its own right, with a wonderful coastal walk to the north, where peace and tranquility can be found on soft grassy knolls. This visit showcased a fine palette of greys, whites, blacks and blues, as the sea melded into the land.

What the beach means to Lorna.

An artist’s palette at Ganavan Sands.

Season: summer

Ganavan Sands sits a mile or so north of Oban, looking across the bottom of Loch Linnhe to the Sound of Mull. It’s a picturesque, sandy blue flag beach and is easily accessed from the town. As well as being a gateway to Mull, Oban has reinvented itself as a tourist destination in its own right. Among the attractions are the imposing McCaig’s Tower that sits above the town and Dunollie Castle. Oban also bills itself as “the Seafood Capital of the Highlands”, so it’s well worth a visit.

What the beach means to Stewart.

The scene at Ganavan Sands.

In the morning at Little Ganavan Sands.

Porthmeor beach

Season: summer

An early morning, high summer visit coincided with a low tide on a deserted Porthmeor beach. The clarity of the light combined with a misty, fused palette of colours to create a translucent effect. Sand had been piled high on the upper reaches of the beach by recent onshore breezes and the headlands stood proud against the Atlantic at the turn of the tide.

David’s focus on the elemental appeal of the beach.

Early morning in the summer at Porthmeor beach.

Season: winter

This is the best known St Ives beach, with the best surf in town and backed by the popular Tate St Ives gallery. The scene setting film was from below St Nicholas’ Chapel on the headland, showcasing the depth of the beach’s bay and its situation at the edge of the town. There’s a great walk round to the west from here, where you’ll find a rural, primeval feel as you make your way along towards Zennor and Morvah. Porthmeor is the final town beach before wild Penwith.

The beach as a magical place.

The view from above Porthmeor beach.

Season: autumn

The morning sun is lower now. On this beach, it lit the waves out at sea but hadn’t yet reached the sand. The contrast was striking, highlighted by the white foam of the surf against the dark, golden sand. In the same way, the white sea spray against the black rocks created a dramatic dynamic.

Nina ponders the reflective side of the beach.

By the rocks in the morning, just after high tide.

Season: summer

This visit came at a bright end to the day, with the sun starting to sink in the west over Porthmeor beach. There were still plenty of people on the beach, but the beach-side cafe was full and well-heeled party-goers promenaded, anticipating the pleasures of St Ives in the evening.

With Sara and Linda at Porthmeor beach in St Ives

Looking down on Porthmeor beach from the west.

Season: spring

It was a quiet, peaceful scene at Porthmeor beach. The sea was flat calm, looking across the beach from the atrium at Tate St Ives, which is open to the beach on one side. Early morning walkers were exercising, either before work or on holiday. All was well in St Ives.

Maureen’s enduring relationship with the beach.

What the beach means to Kathy.

A visiting family at the beach.

Porthmeor beach, seen from the Tate at St Ives.

Season: winter

It was a cold, windy morning at Porthmeor beach on this occasion. You hear so often from young adults like Joshua, below, who have grown up in Cornwall, among nature and particularly the sea and beach, this pull and yearning to return to be near the sea.

With Joshua at Porthmeor beach in St Ives.

Season: autumn

This was a visit to St Ives during the Indian Summer of 2011. Situated in front of Tate St Ives Art Gallery, the beach is fashionable and extremely attractive, with breakers rolling onto a pristine beach, which is backed by a chic beach cafe. The town’s facilities are close at hand. A highly enthusiastic metal detectorist was enjoying the balmy weather.

Looking for clues on Porthmeor beach.

The beach, with Tate St Ives behind, on a sunny September day.