21 Comments

Although I’m not a massive fan of beaches, I am disappointed I don’t live closer to a seaside town. There’s something special about them behind their rundown arcades, battered ice cream vans and tatty joke shops. Or maybe it’s just our age.

I often wonder what tourists outside of the UK think to our slightly wonky seaside towns.

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The golden pencil is surely destined to write something very special--maybe a money-making piece. I am reminded of Jordan Peterson's pen of light. He finishes his book with the question: What will you write with your pen of light? I immediately went out and bought a pen with a light and shortly thereafter misplaced it, a somewhat lame excuse for not writing anything since the beginning of summer. OK, I am off to search for it.

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First, you have such an epistolary tone to your writing, that I always feel a bit like we are long lost friends who have just made contact again and you are writing a letter just to me. That sort of familiar but still cautiously distant tone. It's comforting. Plus a joy to see through your eyes and life experience a place that I have never been. Second, I totally thought the audio option would be your voice and i was trhilled. . . then i realized it was an automated woman haha. Great piece, as always!

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Thanks, that means a lot. Automated woman audio? That’s news to me…

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Reminds me of the Santa Cruz beach boardwalk scene as a kid in the 80s. Similar scene, different country, four decades ago…

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I suspect ice creams, arcades, getting up to mischief is pretty universal behaviour that we for some reason assume is fairly unique to our own local spot.

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I enjoyed being able to tag along. The movie buff in me heard that background tune playing in a scene from "A Hard Day's Night", where Ringo escaped and took a stroll in the outside world, it felt great.

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Been years and years since I saw that film. Might have to revisit it now. Thanks for the kind words.

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I'm growing convinced it's not a good beach unless there's an arcade somewhere nearby.

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Could not agree more. Needs to be added to everyone’s list of heuristics.

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This is lovely, Tom. So thoughtful and evocative and unpretentious. “My score topped the leader board- a not especially impressive feat so early in the day.” ❤️ And the descriptions of the people, especially on the scooters, touching.

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That’s very kind of you to say. Evocative description without veering off into pretension is a balancing act. Nice to here you think I pulled it of here, thanks.

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I enjoyed the peace of this piece. Quietude.

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Thanks James. Too much angry reactive ‘hot take’ type writing in the world. Trying to offer a bit of an alternative here.

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Thank you for taking me on your stroll this morning, for of course I was with you.

The images in my mind came to life as I read your piece, tempted also to walk with my hands behind my back.

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That’s really nice of you to say. Glad this one landed with you.

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Not real gold?

Beautiful piece.

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As far as I’m concerned the best (only?) use of footnotes is to perfect the comic timing of silly jokes.

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I love how based you are.(1)

1. I hope they see this, King

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The seaside British touristy trap strolling experience that can't be duplicated elsewhere. I've seen a bit of it in Scarborough although the walkway above the sea here is a nice touch and would be worth seeing. Cheers.

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Lets build a plank out into the sea. These Victorians were madmen.

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