As I mentioned yesterday, him indoors was out with the camera yesterday snapping some pictures of our local seaside resort - as most Brits will guess, it is Southend. When I say local, we are several miles from the actual place. It has changed so much over the years and becoming far more modern which is a shame in a way because some of the charm has gone.
It has the longest pleasure pier in the world:-
The tide was out when Mike took this shot and the weather a little misty. The pier first opened in 1889 but continued to be extended until 1929. It is 1.34 miles in length. It has suffered several disasters. In 1959 fire destroyed part of the pier and this was replaced by a bowling alley. This proved very popular and I had many a good game there. In 1976 fire again struck and destroyed the pier head. In 1986 a ship sliced through the pier severing the lifeboat slipway and completely destroying the boathouse and in 1995 the bowling alley was reduced to ashes by yet another fire.
Electric trains run the length of the pier or people can walk both ways if they feel energetic. Many people walk to the end and take the train back to the shore:-
The railway began running in 1890, closed completely during the second world war and again from 1975-1986 due to essential and lengthy repairs. Happily all is running smoothly again and proving very popular.
Some people enjoy just strolling, some like to sit on the beach and others like to have a nice dish of cockles, winkles, whelks, prawns or dressed crab. There is still a thriving cockling industry here.
On the other hand, a little drink in one of the pubs is always popular:-
The next picture was taken specifically as it shows an old red telephone box, once so much associated with the U.K. but now a rarity as modern ones have replaced them and it also shows the cobbled streets in that area.
The following shot is part of a terrace of properties that were frequented by the rich in Victorian times.
Mike took many other photos which I will share with you another time and he went back in the evening to get some night shots but for today I will leave you with this tranquil scene
Hope you have enjoyed seeing this little corner of England. Have a blessed Sunday everyone.
~ all photos copyright of MCOatley
25 comments:
Sometimes the best places are right in your own backyard! Linda
Lovely pictures Mike took Jeannette, Where is the seaside?Its got lots of history.
Thats interesting that its got the longest pier in the world.Love the boating scene.
Lovely Pictures one thing that may interest you my daughter in law's family buisiness was making the old GPO phone boxes and they still make the red post boxes. Have a peaceful Sunday Love Joan.
This must be Southend? Never been but would like to one day.The photos are really lovely,Mike takes a good photo! Would love to have some prawns from the shellfish shop.Thanks for sharing these lovely photos!
Lovely photos Jeannette, I've never been to Southend but maybe one day....!! We have the red phone boxes in Brighton in the older part of town, shame the others were replaced with the non-descript booths. Love the old cobbled streets! Have a good sunday. Jeannette.
Fantastic pictures, thanks for sharing them with us. Looks a really nice place to visit but we are just too far away. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.
Jo xxx
I loved the photos...almost felt like I was there too. They have to be good, to have that kind of feeling! Have a wonderful Sunday and a great week ahead.
Hugs,
Joyce
Such lovely pictures - Loved the last one - really serene and so peaceful....Ally
Once more you've given me a little vacation - thanks so much ! Right now I feel like I need one ! 'On Ya' - ma
I'm glad Mike took the pictures and that you posted them. Interesting story on the long pier. I like the cobbled street. The water with the boat looks like a peaceful place, bet the two of you used to go boating. Have a good day and thanks for posting the pictures for us to enjoy. Helen
Iwent to Southend when my late husband and I were courting,we walked the length of the pier ,and got the train back .we had gone on a coach trip,the coach got lost on the way home,so we didnt get home till day light the next day ,Ican remember one man worrying as he had his cows to milk Happy days Jan xx
I appreciate your entry on Southend. What an interesting pier. The photo of the sea with blue grey and boats with masts is serene. The architecture is a great account of historical life. Nicely done! mark
Wonderful pictures! Mike sure has a keen eye
~~Kath~~
This looks like a lovely place to visit! Right up my alley. Which of these sights are on the pier and which are on the shore? Hard to tell what is on the pier from that distance.
Lovely photo's Jeannette, well done Mike :o)
I've never been to Southend, and didn't know that it had the longest pier. Must be lovely to walk out to the end, then get the train back. Love the old red phone box, you don't see many these days, though I did see one in someones back garden while we were on holiday, lol! The last photo is my favourite, I really like the effect of the light shining through the clouds, it gives the picture so much atmosphere.
Sara x
Thank you for sharing your part of the world with us. I will never tire of it!
lovely!
~Julie
Excellent photos and the commentary isn't bad either! :o)
I haven't been to Southend for ages.
http://journals.aol.co.uk/irisclyde/LaDolceVita
How Lovely. It must be great to live there and see those scence daily.
Hi Jeannette, I haven`t been to Southend since I was 17, so things must have changed a great deal. I remember the funfair, It was awonderful plavce with the very best roller coaster. If I remember rightly, it was all wood and very scary...all part of the fun though. The pier has had more than it`s fair share of troubles but is still standing I`m pleased to see! The photos are great. Jim loves seafood and he would love it there. I might suggest a day trip there.:-)
Sandra xxxx
Terrific photos. There's something very English about Southend, with its pier and pubs, whelks and proper phone boxes. Thanks for giving us a lovely tour of the place!
David.
Yes I enjoyed it very much... Thank you for sharing. :)
Linda
Wonderful photos. Thank you for the tour.
Jude
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Great to see the red telephone box, we have a place near us that restores them and sells them to private residences
Great photos - thanks for sharing them!! You should work for the tourist board Jeannette :-) I wanna visit there now!!
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