Not bad for a first attempt!
Can offer some advice? Can you set your camera to 'Landscape' mode. that should allow the camera to not auto-focus on things like your bag, it should also stop the possible flash, not a thing to do! Weekends, more targets, but be careful, there are often more people around to see you taking shots. On the whole. weekdays are best IMHO. However, I will attempt (weather permitting) some weekend shots, this weekend.
Oh, and all that SAND! ugh, I try to keep to shingle beaches, the sand is a camera killer! Good Luck!