West Pier, Brighton

- Backblip -

I promised "Brickmaker" a pier blip, so here you have it. Built in 1866, closed in 1975, destroyed by two fires in 2003. The current redevelopment plan is to re-establish the structure with the "Brighton Eye (i360)", a futuristic observation tower. More info on the pier and redevelopment here.

I had asked J if we could make the trip to Brighton, I had never been. Hil had drawn her impression of what this pier would have looked like in its hey-day. It takes up half of the wall in their Dining Room, very dramatic.

The day started with a trip to the fracture clinic at Kingston Hospital. Nephew #2 had fallen from a tree last weekend and broken his wrist = surgery and plaster, so an x-ray and checkup. Healing well. Then off in the pouring rain to the coast. Found a cafe for the obligatory fish and chips then thankfully the rain stopped. We had a wander around the Pavilion, very impressive domes and chimneys. Onto the front, and walked the main Brighton Pier, being blown along between rides, slot machines, sweetie shops, 99s and classic wooden deckchairs. It reminded me of my holidays at Lytham St Annes when my grandparents lived there.

A walk along the Prom, to take in the pebble beach, the Grand Hotel and this West Pier. Glad that the sun came out and the polariser filter went on.