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.
Oct 2, 2022·edited Oct 2, 2022Liked by Thomas J Bevan
Enjoyed this one. I felt it had an escapist quality that is rewarding for me, yet I acknowledge difficult to achieve. I've had this semblance of experience myself. In Blackpool in particular. It felt like a place out of time. I think there's a cafe or bar on the pier there, and the architecture of it has a marine/biosphere feel straight out of Bioshock. As if it is a preserved pocket of time, where issues of the last 20 years have no licence to roam. It's strange, but perhaps the most potent form of nostalgia, that some of these places have.
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 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.
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.
Enjoyed this one. I felt it had an escapist quality that is rewarding for me, yet I acknowledge difficult to achieve. I've had this semblance of experience myself. In Blackpool in particular. It felt like a place out of time. I think there's a cafe or bar on the pier there, and the architecture of it has a marine/biosphere feel straight out of Bioshock. As if it is a preserved pocket of time, where issues of the last 20 years have no licence to roam. It's strange, but perhaps the most potent form of nostalgia, that some of these places have.
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!
Reminds me of the Santa Cruz beach boardwalk scene as a kid in the 80s. Similar scene, different country, four decades ago…
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.
I'm growing convinced it's not a good beach unless there's an arcade somewhere nearby.
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.
I enjoyed the peace of this piece. Quietude.
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.
Not real gold?
Beautiful piece.
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.