The sad demise of the traditional British seaside resort when the hoi cleared off to Benidorm has been much lamented. The descent into tawdry decrepitude didn't happen overnight, the fly blown encroached gradually. Bed and Breakfasts were slowly colonised by the homeless, usually suffering alcohol or drug problems. The paint on the sea front hotels flaked and peeled, their once proud frontages turning into the face of a demented dowager aunt.
There has been a recovery of sorts over the last decade or so. The affluent have bought second homes and the demise of the ghastly boarding houses with their harridan landladies has resurrected a tourist trade, albeit one a shadow of its former self.
I like the seaside. Nothing beats candy floss, rock, amusement arcades, fish 'n' chips, and cockles eaten from a polystyrene cup. Even the slightly downbeat air of a seaside resort in winter appeals to me. The disconsolate wander along a blustery parade, pause, and gaze out to sea into their futureless futures.
First it was Nations’ tales of salmon habitat/watershed/biome destruction.
ReplyDeleteNow it’s the demise of the traditional British seaside resort.
Not even Herge’s promise of a stick of rock can brighten my day after that.
Someone console me.
*sods off to watch Fawlty Towers*
ReplyDeleteWhat do you expect, 'herds of stampeding wildebeest, the hanging gardens of Babylon'?
ReplyDeleteHey, I can't help it if it's raining.
ReplyDeletemust be raining there too, huh garfy?
stupid rain.
Yes, it's been very rainy here today.
ReplyDeleteI'm bored.
You're right, the British seaside is great - for all the reasons you mentioned. Even the melancholy atmosphere in those run down resorts that are way passed their best.
ReplyDeleteCockels in a polystyrene cup. It was always a toss up between those, mussels and prawns.
Proper sea front caffs are good too. Nice steamed up windows and a full fry up can't be beat.
ReplyDeleteOh Garfy, you old romantic, you.
ReplyDeleteWe're slowly falling in love with you.
I'm leaving it just when I'm starting to appreciate it very slightly.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I think that's me in the snap chucking my litter in the sea.
Auld cynic more like P&T.
ReplyDeleteBrighton's a bit prosperous Herge, you want to get over to Hastings and slum it a bit.
You can chuck things in the sea when you're on the banana boat as well. Preferably Frenchmen.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteCockles in a cup? Our traditional seaside fare is caramel corn, fudge, and pizza. Of course, that's on the east/midatlantic region of the US. God knows what those bizarre Californians are serving. Sushi, most like.
ReplyDeleteThe Californians probably stick to bean sprouts and lentils, thus taking all the fun out of the seaside (or 'the ocean' as you call it).
ReplyDeleteApart from the surfing of course.
And the topless beach volleyball.
"Oh I do like to be beside the seaside"...except for Blackpool.
ReplyDeleteAgreed.
ReplyDeleteThe foul miasma from burger bars, horizontal rain, and a not so Pleasure Beach.
Lovely words Garfer.
ReplyDeleteBut after 3 weeks on the Costa, I'm back here and my fingers are so numb with cold I couldn't eat Fish and chips on the prom to save my life.
Wimp.
ReplyDeleteHave a chicken madras, that'll warm yer up.
It'll certainly warm the cheeks of her arse.
ReplyDeleteI had a nice funnel cake in Santa Cruz once. Careful.
ReplyDeleteAny U.S seaside town on the west coast that has a fun fair (amusement park) will serve these.
Having just Googled funnel cake I want some, now.
ReplyDeleteIt's very blowy by the sea today, my hair is all over the shop.
ReplyDeletePiggy is going to warm the cheeks of Kaz's arse... I'm confused now.
Do a Graham Greene and slap on the Brylcreem.
ReplyDeleteOf course Piggy wants to warm Kaz's arse, you know how solicitous poofs are when they scent a needy female.
I was referring to the chicken madras, you twisting bastards.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I have the last laugh because I've got your stick of rock.
Stripy rock is much nicer than pink rock.
ReplyDeleteI laugh in the face of pink rock.
Ah, but ours (previously yours) is like a transformer - it'll be stripey later.
ReplyDeleteNot necessarily rainbow coloured, but stripey nonetheless.
We laugh at your artificially coloured rock. At least ours will be natural and organic.
Natural and organic my arse. Fifty different e numbers more like.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your hyperactivity.
Needy female?
ReplyDeleteWhat could I possibly need that I haven't already got?
A villa in Marbella?
ReplyDeleteA lifetime subscription to People's Friend?
The list is endless.
Don't forget about the liposuction.
ReplyDeleteEverything else will have been in vain without that.
And the meals on wheels.
ReplyDelete