Faded Elegance

Dreaming hazily,
Of bracing walks and strong tea.
Faded elegance.

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A seaside town in winter - what could be more wistful?  This is Eastbourne pier.  The pier was ravaged by fire last summer and is now closed while restorations are underway.  On the shore by the pier are piles of twisted rusting metal girders washed up and collected after the fire.  

Eastbourne is a bit of a classic British seaside resort, with lots of retired people to populate it's cafes and ice-cream parlours .... even in winter.

More shots here.  

Just along the coast, Hastings pier has been in a similarly parlous state for many years as a result of arson and neglect but thankfully now it is back in public ownership and is being restored.  

And then of course there's the famous ruin of the west pier in Brighton....

Maybe I'll start a series on "Piers I have known and loved" - the first one would have to be country's longest pier at Southend-on-sea  (which has also burnt down a couple of times ....) ......