seaside – I like

Posted on February 10, 2024February 10, 2024 by admin

Irvine – to the beach

Following on from the first bits of Irvine, I walked from Puffers Cafe towards the coast, via the edge of the Scottish Maritime Museum. This whole area was regenerated in the 1990s with some substantial Georgian-style buildings.

Lost Child Wrist Bands Available Here, Irvine

Past Boyd’s Automatic Tide Signalling Apparatus, there is a cracking big beach. It was wet and windy, so I stuck to the beach park – a wide open area in between the beach and the town that feels like it’s waiting for the fair to arrive.

I watched a crowd of widgeon on the pond, caught a rare Pokemon, and walked around the crazy golf course.

The old, properly crazy golf courses seem to be disappearing or turning into ‘adventure’ golf, so I’m always happy to find a relic. There didn’t seem to be a way of playing without bringing your own clubs, but maybe it springs to life in the summer.

Posted on December 23, 2023December 23, 2023 by Anne Ward

Blackpool, one November morning

The morning after the night before in Blackpool. I went for a walk along the shore.

The colourful edges of the Pleasure Beach.

Eccentric B&Bs.

Quiet bandstands.

I had just watched Fire of Love, the magnificent documentary about vulcanologists Katia and Maurice Krafft. I liked the way The Big One looms over this part of town, waiting to erupt.

The World's Largest Mirrorball, Blackpool

Last stop, what was once the World’s Largest Mirrorball, officially an artwork by Michael Trainor called They Shoot Horses, Don’t They.

Posted on December 10, 2023 by Anne Ward

Blackpool, one November evening

I was going to say this is a break from islands and ferries, then remembered this trip to Blackpool started with a detour to Knott End-On-Sea, where the ferry crosses over to Fleetwood. The ferry wasn’t running that day but it’s a scenic spot, with lots of wading birds and a statue of L.S. Lowry who used to paint there.

On to Blackpool. Always an interesting mix of highs and lows. Found this up a side street.

Blackpool at sunset is a beautiful thing, especially in winter.

The Mighty Boosh's entry on Blackpool's Comedy Carpet

Hours of endless fun reading the Comedy Carpet.

And a good spot to sit and watch the starlings fly around the pier.

Posted on September 2, 2023December 19, 2023 by Anne Ward

Dunoon and aroon

At the start of 2022, I planned to go to as many different islands on as many different ferries as I reasonably could. By September I felt like I was underachieving somewhat, so I went for three ferries in one day (no islands though), from Gourock to Dunoon (two ways) with a side-trip to Kilcreggan.

The first leg, Calmac’s passenger only Gourock-Dunoon ferry gets you to the heart of Dunoon in 25 minutes. Gourock ferry terminal is close to the station so it’s an easy day trip from Glasgow on public transport.

An old triangular metal sign showing attractions in Dunoon

Dunoon is a slightly forlorn former holiday resort. I used to go there on holiday in the 1980s and forever associate it with rainy bank holidays where everything is shut. This was a better day, and I enjoyed wandering about the pier and trailing around the charity shops.

Puffin Rock in Dunoon with a Western Ferries ferry in the background

Instead of going back the same way I walked along to Hunter’s Quay to catch the car ferry to McInroy’s Point in Gourock, passing Puffin Rock on the way. This used to be called Jim Crow (it was painted like a crow) and I remember it as the highlight of any visit to Dunoon. It has been reimagined and repainted as Puffin Rock now and is part of a small but impressive bunch of brightly painted erratic boulders around this part of Scotland.

Kilcreggan Ferry Terminal on the Rosneath Peninsula

After that I was back in Gourock early enough to nip over to Kilcreggan on the Rosneath Peninsula – the passenger-only ferry leaves from the same terminal as the Gourock-Dunoon passenger ferry. This is a short and sweet ride, only 13 minutes. There is a small row of shops at Kilcreggan and a cafe where you can sit and watch the water where there are cruise ships, nuclear submarines, seabirds and dolphins.

Posted on July 8, 2022October 5, 2022 by Anne Ward

Weston-super-Mare – Wonkey Donkey

After leaving the pier, sadly Wonkey Donkey was closed.

Weston-super-Mare has at least three crazy/adventure golf courses in close proximity. The old ones are the best.

“Person per tramp” – an example of business speak that doesn’t quite translate outside the business.

Haile Selassie blue plaque, Weston-Super-Mare

Good story on this blue plaque in Weston’s local newspaper – “Although invited to, he never jumped the queue and would happily chat with other visitors.”

Posted on July 3, 2022August 13, 2023 by Anne Ward

Weston-super-Mare – on the Grand Pier

Back in Weston-super-Mare after a few years.

It is a classic British seaside resort, with a smashing pier.

The pier burnt down in 2008, but is now back in full swing. Sometimes it’s quiet…

… and sometimes it’s loud.

Didn’t win anything, but had fun trying.

Posted on March 30, 2022April 2, 2023 by admin

A postcard from Corrie

Corrie Harbour with sheep, Isle of Arran

I found this idyllic harbour last week in Corrie on the Isle of Arran.

Corrie lies on the north-east side of the island. It has two harbours – this one is known as Sandstone Quay because of the sandstone that was quarried locally and shipped from here.

Sandstone Quay at Corrie on the Isle of Arran - harbour view with black sheep and rocks

The sheep came from the Glasgow Garden Festival, and are a fun presence. There is also a lot going on rock-wise, if you like that kind of thing (I do).

The shoreline is full of plants, lichens, birds and sealife. The textures and colours are amazing.

The colour of the sand is warm and inviting. It reminded me of butterscotch Angel Delight.

Posted on April 21, 2021April 21, 2021 by admin

I do like to be Beside the Seaside

Beside The Seaside: a photobook by Anne Ward

For the last few months (actually, more like years) I’ve been sorting through 18 years of digital photos scattered over hard disks, HD cards and even floppy disks. I almost lost them all once, and after that I decided it was time to make something a bit more permanent, for my own records if nothing else.

So here is Beside The Seaside – book one in what will be a series of photobooks, self-published in very small editions. Featuring 60 full colour photos of the British seaside, it is a neat and sturdy A5 softcover book.

You too can have a copy, if you so desire. The price of £8 includes UK Postage and Packaging (Royal Mail second class). If you’d like the book signed or dedicated to someone please add a note during checkout.

Buy now