This morning I had to go into town to collect some concert tickets for Big Sister. As the box office is actually on the seafront I decided to take a stroll along the beach. You would think that with the beach so very near I would be down here all the time, but in the summer it's far too busy and we prefer to go along the coast to more quiet spots to enjoy the sea. However, this beach in winter is something I love. Before we had children M and I would walk down here on Christmas Day enjoying a more quieter romantic festive moment.
Today the weather was grey and crisp, not too cold but still there was a chill in the air. Across from the box office stands the shell of the old West Pier, its blackened skeleton standing forlornly adrift at sea. I remember the day of the storms and then the terrible fire, people flocked down to the seafront to see the tragic demise of one of our city's true beauties. So today it stands beyond repair, leaving melancholy hints of what might have been ...
Its neighbour, the Palace Pier, is still thriving. Today its colours are muted against the grey sky and it looked more like some sort of surreal construction site standing out to sea. I don't know if you can spot the helter skelter with its fairground blue and red stripes - that has to be the best thing on the pier, those first few seconds when you go helterskeltering down it and are almost jettisoned out to sea are not for the fainthearted!!!
I love the greys that have replaced the blues of the sea and summer sky down here.
At home, out walking in the countryside or even doing the shopping those colours are just sad and depressing, yet down here they just lend a sense of calm to the place.
I love the way the seafront is transformed at this time of the year, in summer the seafront is bustling with people and awash with vibrant colour and noise, and now its colours have been bleached, the sound turned down and you can see it for what it really is with its winter coat on.
The grey fading light followed me home, yet there were a few splashes of unexpected colour to surpise me.
I don't think I would have noticed them if the sun were shining, yet after the soothing and strangely comforting monochromes of the beach, their vibrance and brashness made me smile.
And if I'd had a few more pennies, this little chap would have been coming home with me ... I wonder just how much that doggy in the window really is.
36 comments:
Lovely post!
I adore Brighton....did you get to CK.....how lucky you are to live so close!
I'm hunting for a pottery or china Stanley......for my mantlepiece....no luck so far!
He is so cute, the phones are fab too!
I've been so touched at so many awards, just pleased ppl like my blog and "me":>))))
How exciting the swap is!x
lovely photo's , its great when the beach is quiet.
Josie x
Thank you for the lovely photos. I needed a bit of calmness this morning. Laurie
I love Brighton. When I lived down south we would go every other weekend to shop on the lanes. I love the photos, beautiful.
Wonderful photos .. you're right, the greys and muted blues and greens give a very calming feel. The light is so different near the coast, isn't it? - not as depressing as those drizzly days further inland!
As for that doggy in the window ... I think he wants to come home with you!!
Willow xx
I just love your photos
April xx
Oh MY! What a lovely blog! My eyes and heart are so full right now having rolled through your posts I think I need a nap to digest it all- entirely yummy! Thank you!
Beautiful photos! and another, lovely post. How could you leave the doggy in the window???? Lou xx
Grey skies lead to sobering thoughts for me. How lovely to see a splash of colour back at the shops! The little doggy in the window was very cute.
My first thought was the song by Visage when I saw the title.. then my mind moved on to the beautiful historical paint colours of Farrow and Ball seeing the soft seascapes..
I wonder how much of our environment influences our perception of life...
Your home ground inspires the most beautiful posts..
That little doggy is mine!
Dxx
I simply loved this post - just wondeful after a long hard day at the mad house..... I have a picture of that very boat in my photo album. The litle green van visited Brighton for the first time this summer when we visited one of my very dear friends who livs there....I loved it and wish I had stashed some pebbles but I had no pockets or bags that day....
I love this post, all the photos are so beautiful.
Lisa x
My first thoughts were also of the song! Your photos are just so lovely,Kim, and I felt quite content as I took the walk with you.
;-)
What a charming post... looks like you had a peaceful stroll,
Victoria xx
love it!!
How much was the doggie in the window?
Clare x
Ah, what a lovely post. You live in such a beautiful place dear Kim. Thanks for sharing it with us!
You live in such a lovely area. Great Post, It was like walking along with you. Loved the sweet window display, lemons and of course, sweet rover in the window.
With Smiles
Kathryn
Australia
Great pictures of lovely Brighton. Even in the grey. I've always admired that sweet little smokehouse on the beach. Must get down there again soon.
What a lovely post. You certainly have a fabulous way with words and photographs. I really enjoyed reading your descriptions and feasting my eyes on the pictures. Especially loved the doggy in the window....... Hope he finds a good home?
Have a great weekend!
Jane xxx
Ohooo what lovely photographs, they are truly beautiful, I want that little doggy too, he is so cute. I have never been to brighton, or maybe I have when I was very, very little, but I must get there soon, around Christmas time looks especially nice and calm :)
Thank you so much for the Deck The Halls Sachets, I have Thanked You on my blog,
Love Mary X
Hello - I found you through Mary Poppins's blog.
I love your style and I have enjoyed looking at your photographs.
Beautiful photos, Kim! You know, I went to the same beach again yesterday, and now my photos look similar to yours... all gray! =) We have no lovely piers here, though. I suppose the closest thing would be in Provincetown (the town at the very tip of the Cape) - but no amusement rides there. I think those days of amusements by the sea here are gone, sadly. I really would rather be walking an English beach than an American one today! heehee
i prefer the beach when it's quiet too - I love that red phone, would go perfect in my sitting room
lisa x
gosh theres my red telephone in the last picture! & the dog is so sweet,is he terribly expensive :oS
& OHHHMIIIIIIGOSH is that a Moomin in the window with the white deer?!?
(faints in a swoon of nostalgia)
:o)
Lovely photos,I used to live in Bournemouth,utterly ghastly in the summer but come winter the coast was a glorious place to be,quiet,deliciously bleak & invigorating.
I have a hankering now to go to Lyme Regis..... :o)
GTM x x
I love the way that winter brings a sense of calm with its grey skies ... but perhaps I'm a bit of a winter bunny. Your photos are lovely.
Lovely serene photos Kim, I love the coast in winter too. It's so sad about the West Pier, we seem to have lost quite a lot of piers to fires in recent years. As for that little dog - I think I'd have gone back for him:) He looks very 1930s.
Lovely post Kim, I prefer the beach out of season too. We've spent many holidays with my Mum in Cornwall when the summer visitors have all left and I've got happy memories of cold walks along the beach, kids jumping in cold sea and us with no towels to dry off freezing, wet, children! Would love to be there today....
You live in such a wonderful town!
Thanks so much for sharing it with us all!
Kisses
Debbie Moss
I wholeheartedly agree..the seaside is far more beautiful in the Winter.There is something about the emptiness and colours,all soft and muted, almost like it's asleep. Beautiful photos of a lovely place I've visited only once but it was love at first sight. x
What a beautiful place. I love the ocean but we are three hours away. I could go there any time...winter or summer. You are right about the gray days being soothing. Thank you for sharing your trip to town with us!
Another lovely post, Kim.
My Aunt had a little doggie just like the one in that window.
I must go down to the sea again are the words that spring to mind when I read this post.
What beautiful photos, it made me think of Cornwall, my real home!
ooh Kim that was nice, I used to live across the road from the West Pier in Preston St..such memories..it was wonderful taking that walk with you.
Hugs Lynn xx
beautiful beautiful photos...
What a lovely post. I LOVE this time of year and have always been a Winter person. I don't mind grey days and think that cold crisp blue sky days are the very best. The beach is definitely better in the Winter.
twiggy x
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