20 Comments
User's avatar
Craig Burgess's avatar

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.

Expand full comment
Lynn Childress's avatar

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.

Expand full comment
Trilety Wade's avatar

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!

Expand full comment
Thomas J Bevan's avatar

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

Expand full comment
The Rational Walk's avatar

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

Expand full comment
Thomas J Bevan's avatar

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.

Expand full comment
Edward Rooster's avatar

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.

Expand full comment
Thomas J Bevan's avatar

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

Expand full comment
Dane Benko's avatar

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

Expand full comment
Thomas J Bevan's avatar

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

Expand full comment
WhiteRose's avatar

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.

Expand full comment
Thomas J Bevan's avatar

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.

Expand full comment
James Maynard's avatar

I enjoyed the peace of this piece. Quietude.

Expand full comment
Thomas J Bevan's avatar

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

Expand full comment
Zack Grafman's avatar

Not real gold?

Beautiful piece.

Expand full comment
Thomas J Bevan's avatar

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

Expand full comment
Zack Grafman's avatar

I love how based you are.(1)

1. I hope they see this, King

Expand full comment
Mark Dykeman's avatar

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.

Expand full comment
Thomas J Bevan's avatar

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

Expand full comment
User's avatar
Comment deleted
Oct 1, 2022
Comment deleted
Expand full comment
Thomas J Bevan's avatar

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

Expand full comment