Walton-on-the-Naze Concrete Rules

Walton, like many seaside towns, has large numbers of concrete structures - some quite elegant like the promenade and steps, some in need of repair including the pier supports! and some just weird like the upper storey of the Amusements building. I liked the economy of design for the Shelters - if you want it bigger, add a bay - bit like a stretch limousine.

 

Walton-on-the-Naze's Unique Features

From Black-Headed Gulls that like to break the rules to rows of stacked beach huts, Walton-on-the-Naze has plenty of character. It has the smartest public toilets of any seaside town.

 

 

Walton-on-Naze Pier

Saturday, the rain stayed away from the coast until I was leaving at 2pm though the light was very dull. I enjoyed a visit to the pier. The original pier was built in 1830, one of the earliest in the country. It was built for landing goods and passengers from steamers. The pier was badly damaged in a storms in 1871 and 1880. In 1895, the Walton-on-the-Naze hotel and pier company (then owners of the pier) opened a replacement pier 500 ft longer (150 m) than the original. Several extensions have increased the pier's length to 2,600 ft (790 m), the third longest in the UK. 

Today, the pier remains a popular attraction, with amusements and funfair rides in a hangar-type building. Beyond this, the pier extends into a promenade popular with anglers.

Holland-On-Sea

 I took a walk on the beach at Holland-on-Sea prior to giving a lecture at Clacton CC (thanks for the warm welcome). This lies between Clacton and Frinton and has a character all of its own with wide expanses of sand and shingle banks. I got distracted by the excellent Beach Cafe but still had time for a few creative shots and the sunset.

Anglesey Abbey; Dahlias and Cyclamen at Their Best

It had been raining overnight so the dahlias were all covered in water droplets making an irresistable photographic subject. This year's cyclamen are better than ever and some interesting bark patterns showed up in the wet conditions.