South Beach Pier, Southsea.

South Beach Pier at Southsea where Queen Victoria used to embark for her house on the Isle of Wight. More Gee Whiz! Facts - during the filming of the Rock Opera Tommy, Oliver Reed and Ann-Margaret ‘s dance was so hot, it set the pier on fire(!)  There are shots where you can actually see the smoke, and footage of the full fire was used in the scenes depicting the destruction of Tommy’s Holiday Camp.
The pier is closed and in a very sorry, rusty state. Repairs appear to be continuing but I doubt it will be open in time for the summer season.
We had lunch  next door at SBC, the South Beach Café right on the beach. Wonderful to sit so close to the waves and eat good food, out of the still-chilly-wind,  our 5th beach café of the year and it’s not even Spring Equinox yet.