At the mouth of London

…Southend, Essex

What a lovely day in Southend with Janet L.

a stroll the world’s longest pleasure pier deep into the Thames Estuary
an hour at the end to watch the annual Southend Barge Match
a slow trip back to dry land on the chunky train
a walk along the cliff top towards Westcliff with panoramic views across to Kent
a saunter through the lush gardens down to the shore
a rest on the beach with Janet’s friend Sam and his sister and family from Buckinghamshire

Sam had asked his visitors to bring their swimming costumes and invited them to join him in his regular dip. All seven of us declined. I’d read of the odd sewage surge into the river forty miles upstream in London and didn’t want to wallow in the effluent of Essex, but Sam seems none the worse for his swims.

Nothing is more beautiful than England at its best. It was quite a surprise to find that the best includes the Thames Estuary at Southend. Flawed beauty has its place.

Nothing is uglier than English council officials at their worst. Southend’s have pained the pleasure of the pier with prohibition signs along its entire 1.34 mile length. There should be no place for the dull minds of pettifogging, publicly paid pen-pushers.

Marks & Spencer must have to stop its shoppers doing all sorts of things but it doesn't do it in an in-your-face way. It would not have sustained success over many decades if its customers were made to feel like potential shoplifters and an inconvenience.

NO KNICKERS SOLD AT BUSY TIMES
’I can only get there in my lunch hour when it's busy. Let’s pop over to Primark. They say the quality is just as good as M & S and half the price. Hey, look what else they sell?’

TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT
No choice if you want to enjoy unique Southend Pier

No Dogs
No Smoking
No Fishing
During Busy Periods The Cafe Will Be Unable To Serve Hot Food
Quiet Please, Wedding In Progress
Fire Hydrant, Do Not Touch
No Access, Fishing Prohibited
Danger, Keep Off Railway
Animals, Skateboards, Skates, Cycles Are Not Allowed
Do Not Climb On Fences Or Handrails
Keep Children Under Control

No, No, No, No,
over and over and over