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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
Thanks, that means a lot. Automated woman audio? That’s news to me…
Reminds me of the Santa Cruz beach boardwalk scene as a kid in the 80s. Similar scene, different country, four decades ago…
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.
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.
Been years and years since I saw that film. Might have to revisit it now. Thanks for the kind words.
I'm growing convinced it's not a good beach unless there's an arcade somewhere nearby.
Could not agree more. Needs to be added to everyone’s list of heuristics.
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.
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.
I enjoyed the peace of this piece. Quietude.
Thanks James. Too much angry reactive ‘hot take’ type writing in the world. Trying to offer a bit of an alternative here.
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.
That’s really nice of you to say. Glad this one landed with you.
Not real gold?
Beautiful piece.
As far as I’m concerned the best (only?) use of footnotes is to perfect the comic timing of silly jokes.
I love how based you are.(1)
1. I hope they see this, King
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.
Lets build a plank out into the sea. These Victorians were madmen.