Sunday 21 July 2013

Sunset on Porthmeor Beach



I have lived in St Ives for nearly twelve years, and yet I have never sat on the beach and watched the sun go down. The drive home from judo on Friday evenings goes past Porthmeor Beach. As I drove past this week, the sun was starting it's descent into the sea. The colour of the sky was stunning. A streak of pink which seemed to envelope the beach and give it a technicolour hue. There were people sitting on the sand and around the beach bar watching this natural finale to what had been a glorious day.

On Saturday Marc, Olly and me spread our throw over the hot white sand of Porthmeor and settled down to await the sunset. The beach was not too busy. The surf dudes were out in force. No surf, so it was volleyball and rounders. There were family groups sat around barbecues, enjoying the evening sunshine. It was warm, without the scorching heat of earlier that day. Perfect in fact. Olly and Marc splashed in the sea. Olly played with his toys while Marc and I talked. I chatted to friends, people watched (a favourite past-time) and relaxed.


 



We shared chips smothered in salt and vinegar. Marc drank cold beer. I got Olly changed into his pyjamas, for seamless beach to car to bed manoeuvres. The light was so bright and bounced off the sand making all the primary colours stand out.


  




And then without warning the light changed. It became softer and the colours more muted. The atmosphere became noticeably different too, and when I looked around it felt as if I was sitting inside an old Polaroid photograph. There was grainy texture to the light which was diffused with orange. It felt so tangible, and it seemed to me as if I could reach out my hand and grab a handful.

And so we watched the sun go down.


 




It was so beautiful.

Leanne xx

14 comments:

  1. What a lovely day at the beach. I really enjoyed the way you wrote about it and your photos are wonderful. Olly certainly had a good time.

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  2. Beautiful. I was there a couple of weeks ago and it is indeed a magical place. How wonderful to live there.

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  3. What a lovely way to spend and evening. Beautiful photos of you with you're family, moments to remember. When I was young I lived by the sea, and sundowners on the beach was my favourite thing. We use to try and do it as often as possible with a picnic for supper. It's strange to see just how massive the sun is and strangely it always connected me with the earth, most probably why I loved it. Thanks for bringing all those memories back for me. Xo

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  4. Just perfect

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  5. Hi Leanne, Just wanted to let you know you're the winner of the Sarah Raven goodies from my garden giveaway! If you could drop me an email with your address I'll get the team there to send the prize on to you! email me at pooka_76(@)hotmail(.)com (taking away the brackets of course) Thanks Polly x

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  6. This was a lovely post Leanne. It sounds as if it was an idyllic time, and chips on the beach...now you're talking!
    The photos captured it all beautifully.

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  7. Wonderful images! I love to watch the sun set, and rise for that matter, but have only ever done so from a beach in winter. What a wonderful way to end a summer's day :D

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  8. How beautiful, and I just love that you put your son in his PJs. I bet he was so excited to be on the beach to see the sun go down when normally he would be getting ready for bed at home! :) Sounds like such a lovely evening. :)

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  9. Wonderful! What a lovely way to spend the evening! X

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  10. beautiful sunset! looks like a lovely afternoon/evening :)

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  11. Oh wow! Absolutely lovely. I think the best sunsets I've seen have been in Cornwall - in Newquay when we got engaged and near Falmouth on a family (with Mr P and my Mum and Dad) holiday in 2011. You seem to have the best of everything there - sand and sky!

    What a beautiful place to grow up. You're creating lovely memories for Olly. It sounds like a very special evening.

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  12. It really is SO beautiful! Those pictures of the sunsets are quite phenomenal. What a wonderful day and look how tanned you are!!! x

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  13. Leanne those pictures are fantastic. I drive my family mad want to watch the sun rise or fall! Every evening when we staying at Gwithian I was on the cliffs at sunset! You all look as if you are enjoying yourselves. What did Olly think of the sunset?
    Sarah x

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  14. Oh wow, Leanne, I think that's your best post EVER!! Your photos are amazing, you captured the light so well and I felt I was there with you. Andhow cute is Olly is his pj's? xx

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