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.

Pin Mill

Season: autumn

Pin Mill, sitting on the south bank of the tidal River Orwell, is scenic and historic. Now a popular attraction for leisure craft, its traditions include sailing barges and commercial trade, both to and from Ipswich and out to the sea and beyond. The Butt and Oyster pub, right by the water’s edge, is a fine vantage point from which to enjoy the beauty here. There is a healthy artistic tradition at Pin Mill too.

Christine’s daily enjoyment of her environment at Pin Mill.

The tranquility of the River Orwell at low tide.

Season: winter

A thick, soporific mist enveloped Pin Mill during this winter visit. Plenty of weekenders were walking on the bridleway by the River Orwell, yet a calm pervaded the scene, perhaps due to the absence of even a breeze. The Dutch and Thames barges rested on the flats at low tide and smoke drifted up from the stoves of the moored residents’ barges, located along the way from the Butt & Oyster Inn and a permanent fixture by the river here.

Claire looks back in time at Pin Mill and explains the appeal of being near water.

A thick veil of mist, looking out through the trees at Pin Mill on a winter day.

Season: spring

Changeable spring weather was the order of the day at Pin Mill. The low tide allowed a view of the distant road bridge in the Ipswich direction. A swan glided through the exposed boat cradles at the end of the slipway. Tidal estuaries like this show such different faces through the tidal cycle, this time setting the Butt and Oyster pub in relief. Pin Mill welcomes visitors at all times.

What the beach means to Dave and Hazel.

Gyllyngvase beach

Season: spring

Bright sunshine and high pressure greeted me at Gyllyngvase beach. Morning visitors were enjoying a reminder of the sea air before work, sharing the beach with dog walkers and swimmers. The Gylly Beach Cafe was already open for breakfast and Falmouth was waking up. Welcome sunshine lit the rising tide, a respite after recent winter storms.

The beach as a link to the sea and fishing for John, who also highlights its place in the community. You can learn more about the Shark Trust here.

Bright sunshine and a rising tide at Gyllyngvase beach.

Season: autumn

It’s always a pleasure to visit this high octane Falmouth beach, particularly on a bright weekend morning when it’s a hive of activity. As a town beach, it holds a natural attraction for townspeople, with volleyball nets, a popular cafe and a safe swimming environment. The tide was low during this visit and there was plenty of space for everyone, both in and out of the water. There are pleasant gardens by the beach too, with fine views to enjoy over Falmouth Bay as you look round from Pendennis Castle to the Helford Estuary.

Mary explains what it’s like to swim at Gyllyngvase (see Peter also, lower down on this page).

A view of the beach from the rocks at low tide.

Season: spring

A mountainous sea thundered against Gyllyngvase beach for this early spring visit. Icy winds and a morning chill set the tone. An ebb tide clawed at the sand, leaving thirty feet of trace on the sand before returning to the beach. Above the sea, an apocalyptic sky, with clouds full of snow, threatened to add its contents to the elemental mix.

The attraction of the sea for Matt.

A wild morning at the beach.

Season: summer

A bright morning on a low tide set the large ships in Falmouth Bay in relief against an azure, flat sea. Early morning swimmers reminded me of paintings from the Alex Katz exhibition, showing at Tate St Ives this summer. I had filmed in the atrium there in the spring; here it is.

Sisters Victoria and Vanessa, enjoying nature’s bounty at Gyllyngvase beach.

The beach in the morning.

Season: spring

Bright sunshine greeted me on this visit. The spring morning had attracted swimmers and walkers alike. The beach had its seasonal fixtures in place for the summer – volleyball pitch, sand pit, trestle tables and lifeguard viewing platform. As the tide fell away on the steep beach clean breakers crashed onto the sand, a raw energy to start the day.

John explains the release the beach gives him.

By the sea in the morning, looking out across Falmouth Bay to start the day.

Season: winter

It was a mild January dawn return visit, with the sea and sky grey blue against the sand. Being a town beach, there were plenty of people about. The atmosphere was one of routine and regularity, fitting a beach visit into a hectic schedule. Both interviews show the deep affection held by people for being at the beach. Falmouth is such a buzzing town at present. I highly recommend a visit.

Peter’s relationship with the water at the beach from an aesthetic perspective.

Victoria, at Gyllyngvase beach early in the morning.

A mild, grey blue vista at dawn.

Season: autumn

Another famous Cornish beach, this is the main Falmouth leisure beach, looking out to the south over Falmouth Bay and the tankers waiting for orders or bunkers. Gyllyngvase is popular all year round. Autumn is usually very mild in Cornwall and the weather was outstanding during this visit. The beach was at its best.

At the water’s edge on Gyllyngvase beach.

Watching the swimmers.

A spectacular panorama.

Plockton beach

Season: summer

The village of Plockton is one of the tourist magnets in the Highlands, both attractive and a sheltered haven for passing yachts. Known as “The Jewel of the Highlands”, the village has an up-market feel during the summer season. Fishing and crofting has long since been displaced by Plockton’s popularity as a yachting anchorage and a highlight of the season is the two week sailing regatta. Other popular water sports include kayaking and rowing. The beach here is known as Coral Beach and can be found a mile or so outside the village, an oasis of tranquility in the summer. It’s well worth the walk to find such a peaceful strand, with its surface made of dried, calcified seaweed, known as maerl. The nature here is pristine and the beach has a soothing atmosphere. Highly recommended.

The wonders on view at low tide for Sharon and Bella.

Above the beach at Plockton with Lisa.

A summer idyll at Plockton.